Musio offers multiple microphone positions, giving you greater control over the tone and depth of your mix. Below are answers to common questions about how these mic positions work and how to use them:
What are microphone positions in Musio, and how do they affect the sound of an instrument?
A microphone position refers to the placement of microphones during the recording session of instruments in Musio, capturing different aspects of its sound. By offering various mic positions, Musio allows you to use one or more of these different microphones to blend perspectives and achieve a desired tonal quality and/or spatial depth in your mix.
How do I access and adjust mic positions within Musio?
To access and adjust mic positions, follow these steps:
- Load an instrument in Musio.
- Click on the Instrument tab.
- Scroll down to find the Mix Panel, where mic positions are located.
By default, the Studio Mix is active and downloaded. Other mic positions will appear but won’t be downloaded yet like this:
Downloading and Activating Mic Positions
- Hover over the red downward arrow to see the file size before downloading if wanted.
- To download a mic position, click the red downward arrow.
- Once downloaded, the red arrow becomes a gray checkmark.
- Click the activation button next to it to turn it on.
- Use the fader to adjust the mic’s volume.
- Holding the fader will display the current dB level.
- Control/command+click to reset the fader.
- Use Shift+drag to make fine adjustments to the fader.
What are the different mic positions available, and how do they differ in tone and mixing applications?
Musio provides several mic positions, each offering a distinct sound:
- Studio Mix – A balanced blend of multiple mic positions, created by expert engineers.
- Close – Captures the direct, intimate sound with minimal room ambience, offering clarity and detail.
- Room – Positioned further away to blend the instrument with natural room reverb, creating a warm, organic tone.
- Surround – Captures room ambience and reflections, adding depth and spaciousness.
- Overhead – Placed above the instrument for a wide stereo image, enhancing presence.
Blending these mics allows for full control over your mix, from dry and focused to rich and immersive sounds.
Note: We recommend not using additional mic positions simultaneously with the Studio Mix. For best results, either use the Studio Mix on its own, or disable it and use the other mic positions independently.
How do the mic positions impact CPU and RAM usage?
Mic positions act as a multiplier. For example, activating three mic positions will roughly triple RAM usage.
Can I automate mic position changes within my DAW to create dynamic mixes?
Yes! You can assign MIDI CC values to mic position faders:
- Right-click on the mic fader.
- Assign a CC value to it.
- Automate that CC in your DAW to control the mic level dynamically.
Is there a way to save custom mic position settings for future use?
Currently, you cannot save mic position settings directly. However, you can:
- Load instruments into the Instrument Rack.
- Adjust your mic settings.
- Save the entire Rack to recall later.
Does Musio provide presets with recommended mic position mixes for different genres or styles?
Not yet, but the Studio Mix is designed to sound great across many genres. This mix was created by legendary engineers like Dennis Sands, ensuring professional quality right out of the box. You can experiment with different mic blends to find what works best for your style.
Can I route different mic positions to separate channels in my DAW for individual processing?
Yes!
Why don’t I see all mic positions for some instruments?
Some instruments weren’t recorded with certain mic positions, or a specific mic position is being updated and hasn’t been released yet.
How can I uninstall mic positions?
At this time, mic positions cannot be uninstalled individually. The only way to remove them is to:
- Uninstall the entire instrument
- Redownload it
A dedicated uninstall feature is planned for the future.
How much drive space is needed for the whole catalog with mic positions?
1 TB is recommended to download the entire Musio catalog with all mic positions.
How do I change which mic positions are downloaded by default?
- Open Musio Connect (Musio’s companion app).
- Click Settings.
- Under the Downloads section, find Mic Positions to Download by Default.
- The Default mic is usually the Studio Mix.
- You can deselect Default, as long as you have another mic position selected.
- If a mic position isn’t available for an instrument being downloaded, Musio will automatically download the Default mic instead.
What other mic settings can I adjust in Musio Connect?
You’ll find additional mic-related settings in Musio Connect > Settings:
- Auto-Download Unavailable Instruments – If enabled, Musio will automatically download any new mic positions needed when opening a session (like from a collaborator).
- Load All Installed Mic Positions – If enabled, all previously downloaded mic positions will load automatically instead of just the Studio Mix.
Should I still add reverb if I’m using mic positions?
It depends!
- If you want a natural, room-like sound, mic positions like Room and Surround may provide enough reverb.
- If you want a larger, more atmospheric sound, adding extra reverb can help.
Are the mic positions in Musio the same mic positions as the Kontakt versions of these instruments?
These mic positions are exactly the same samples as the ones in their Kontakt counterparts. No DSP (digital signal processing) or IRs (impulse responses) are making this happen. It was all recorded in the room.
Are there mic positions for Musio exclusive libraries as well?
Yes! There are mic positions in some Musio-exclusive instruments as well.
Can you add a one-click download for all microphones across all instruments?
We don't currently have any plans for this feature.
Are microphone positions available for all instruments in Musio, or only specific ones?
Mic positions are available currently for most instruments with a version of at least 2.0 although not all will receive mic positions.
Will Musio be adding more mic positions in the future? If so, when and for what instruments?
For new library collections in Musio that come out in the future, some will include microphone positions but release dates and specific instruments will be announced later. Stay tuned on our social media and website for announcements!
What are the more unique mic positions like 'Dragonborn' in Men of the North?
If you see any mic positions with unique names like Dragonborn, Tight, Head, or Raw, these are either a mix of mic positions that were mixed together by the engineer of the library, or they represent a specific unique mic position from that library like in the case of Raw from the Viola Da Gamba library which just was a completely unprocessed mic signal with no EQ, etc.
Need More Help?
If you have any other questions about the microphone positions in Musio that weren’t listed above, we’re happy to help! Email our Support team at support@musio.com, and we’ll respond as soon as possible.