In which scenario would three microphones be necessary?

Three microphones would be necessary for a rectangular table with four people because this setup typically requires clear audio capture of each participant to ensure that their contributions are distinctly recorded. In this scenario, having one microphone per person helps to minimize interference and background noise, ensuring that all voices can be heard clearly in the recording. This is particularly important in a rectangular seating arrangement, where participants may be spaced apart and at different angles from a single recording source.

In the case of the other scenarios, such as recording in a large auditorium, a different type of audio setup may be more appropriate, using fewer microphones positioned strategically to capture sound from a distance. For a single speaker presentation, one microphone would suffice to capture the speaker's voice clearly. Individual interviews can be successfully conducted with just one or two microphones, depending on the setting and the number of interviewers or interviewees involved. Thus, the need for multiple microphones is specifically highlighted in the case of a rectangular table with four participants, where individual microphone coverage is crucial for clarity and quality of the audio recording.