It depends on what instrument,....
Drums, Get them tuned before Micing and then after sound check i will go out and move mics around abit or add some tape before i try EQ, usually there will be NO eq needed if you get the mics in the good spots
For acoustic guitars i place mics depending on what sound we are going for,
same for percussion.
For electric guitar i let the player get his sound.
if i think it bites i will go out and listen and ask him to get what i think it needs...
If he cant get it i will try to turn the knobs and move the mic.
depending on the player and if i am producing i will try and have him get it ,...If he cant i will turn knobs , move mics until its what i want
But i will change something and go back in and listen before making a bunch of changes at one time,.. Sometimes it just takes i tiny bit
When the Marshall is cranked to 11 i have no desire to be in the live room, and if its that loud it probably wont mater where the mic is
For vocals i put up a mic i think will work and listen in the control room.
For horns ,..... i put the mics up and run
So yea most of the time i put the mics where i think they will give me the sound I'm after and go listen in the control room, where its safe
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