How should a standing microphone be placed?

Placing a standing microphone to record the farthest person in the jury box is essential because it ensures that all voices within the courtroom are captured clearly, especially those who may be seated at a distance. This approach balances the audio pickup across the space, providing a comprehensive sound recording that includes the jurors' contributions during the proceedings.

Positioning the microphone in this manner helps to avoid audio imbalance, where some speakers may be easily heard while others are not, which can lead to difficulties in accurately capturing the court's proceedings. By focusing on the farthest location, it also allows for effective sound checks and adjustments, ensuring that even the quietest voices are recorded adequately.

Other placements, like near the judge or near the witness stand, may capture those specific voices well but could miss out on other important sounds or dialogue occurring elsewhere in the courtroom. Similarly, placing the microphone in the center of the courtroom does not optimize for any specific direction, potentially compromising the audio quality from various points in the room.