Microphone cupping involves holding a microphone tightly enclosed in the hands right against the sound source. Enclosing the capsule creates an airtight seal that alters the acoustic response and drives the microphone diaphragm hard. This process forces the incoming signal directly into high-level saturation and natural harmonic distortion.
How the songs in the archive use it
Howlin' Wolf uses the technique on Smokestack Lightning by cupping his hands tightly around the microphone to push the diaphragm and console preamp into natural harmonic distortion, turning his acoustic harmonica into an overdriven lead voice.
How to do it in Logic Pro
Microphone cupping deliberately restricts acoustic airflow around a dynamic microphone capsule to boost midrange resonance and induce natural distortion. Use this vocal or harmonica technique when performing to capture an aggressive, lo-fi grit directly at the source.
Hold a handheld dynamic microphone directly at the grille with both hands.
Wrap your fingers tightly around the sides and back of the capsule to form an airtight chamber.
Bring your mouth directly against the enclosed grille.
Sing or speak with high vocal energy to overdrive the diaphragm and acoustic cavity.
A general method with Logic Pro's own plug-ins. Control names are checked against Apple's manual; the values are starting points, so adjust them by ear.
Songs that use it (1)
What each track sheet's analysis found, with the sheet's own score. Analysis, not verified credits.
Smokestack Lightning by Howlin' WolfMicrophone Cupping & Saturation: [Wolf's harmonica tone is achieved by cupping a microphone closely in his hands, driving the diaphragm and the console preamp into natural harmonic distortion]Sheet score 10/10 · Source given: Established blues harmonica techniques pioneered in Chicago · Open the full track sheet
Want these sounds in your own mixes? Every song above has a full track sheet with its signal chains and a step-by-step recreation for your DAW. Open Track DiveAll techniques