It’s nearly impossible to record an acoustic instrument the way that we truly hear it when playing… Just like most gear, microphones have a way “coloring” an instrument’s sound one way or another. And that can drive musicians and engineers to madness. Jürg Jecklin surmised that the best way to capture sound images in stereo is by replicating a human head/human ear situation when recording. He developed the Jecklin Disk, a recording technique that creates a “shadow” between the microphones, just like this big orb of a head creates a “shadow” between our ears.
His original plans include a matched pair of small-diaphragm omni-directional mics (just like the human ear) attached to either side of a 1ft. disk, about 3/4″ thick, covered in a soft fabric to help cut reflections. He later revised some of his numbers as far as placement and you can read more about that on the Jecklin Disk wiki page, if interested.
This sounds fantastic in theory but it’s impossible to hear the difference without actually getting your hands on a Jecklin Disk. They can be purchased online for upwards of $250 but that’s a pretty hefty price to pay for something you’re not sure will work for you. (Do you see where I’m going with this??)
DIY JECKLIN DISK!
In the video below, I will:
- Make 4 Jecklin Disks with different options for fabric/acoustic treatments and teach you where to buy/find each piece
- Record with all 4 disks to hear each treatment and discuss my findings
- Show you how to attach a Jecklin Disk to your mic stand with objects you already have around your studio
- Make each disk for a grand total of $25-$30 (about 1/10th of what they cost online)
So put on your headphones, push play, and hit me up with any questions!
Dear Reader: Do you feel like you hear the best version of your acoustic instruments when you record? Do you think a Jecklin Disk will be helpful for you?