SOUND ON SOUND

[Hugh Robjohns]

The four-mic array is basically a pair of cardioids (or hypo-cardioids) spaced at about 47cm, with a pair of omni outriggers spaced at 67cm, all four being angled outwards at 45 degrees from the centre line.

The cardioid/hypo-cardioid spacing can be adjusted to suit the acoustics, source width, and required stereo recording angle, but the omnis should always be 10cm further out to each side.... according to Tony, anyway. :-)

Balance the directional and omni pairs to taste...

H

That's interesting, I take it the two outer most mic's are Omni's? and the two in the centre are cardioids?

Highlighted...

[ConcertinaChap]

The four-mic array is basically a pair of cardioids (or hypo-cardioids) spaced at about 47cm, with a pair of omni outriggers spaced at 67cm, all four being angled outwards at 45 degrees from the centre line.

Lovely. Thanks, Hugh. I've got the mics for that and I'll give it a whirl sometime.

CC

[Mike Stranks]

The four-mic array is basically a pair of cardioids (or hypo-cardioids) spaced at about 47cm, with a pair of omni outriggers spaced at 67cm, all four being angled outwards at 45 degrees from the centre line.

Lovely. Thanks, Hugh. I've got the mics for that and I'll give it a whirl sometime.

CC

I'm only half-remembering this, but I recall TF stating that Andre Previn in particular was very averse to multi-mic/stand/cable setups when there was an audience present. Hence this array...

[Hugh Robjohns]

Hypo-cardioids at 47cm spacing and 90 degree mutual angle provide a stereo recording angle of about 70 degrees (+/-35 degrees), while spaced omnis at 67cm is about 99 degrees (+/-49.5 degrees).

Cardioids with the same 47cm spacing and angle gives an SRA of about 61 degrees (+/-30.5 degrees).

So it requires the width of the orchestra to be reasonably narrow and compact, especially if the array has to be placed fairly close.

Narrower spacings of the directional mics will give wider SRAs -- for example, a 22cm spacing of hypo-cardioids (with 90 degree mutual angle) gives a 120 degree SRA, or 33cm is a 90 degree SRA.

For Cardioids the equivalent spacings are 14 (SRA=120) and 24cm (SRA=90).
H

[jimh76]

Hi Peeps,,

Fist of all a big thank you to everyone for their insightful input.

I'm in Stockport near Manchester (UK).

I feel I should explain that I kind of ambushed the people doing the concert, as the concert was taking place already, and I rang the person who organised it and said I would come down and record for free. I love recording, but don't get much action......I also don't claim to be an expert, but feel things like this are a really good way of learning (mostly by making the mistakes)

I obviously understand that to them, it's a performance and not a recording session, and I have kind of hijacked them.

I stated to them that for the performance, the limitations as to the mic stands etc might not get the best recording for them, and my hope is that they'll let me do an actual recording session proper after they have done this one.

I'll possibly be doing a rehearsal session first in which case, anything goes with regards to mic stands. I think I will keep it simple though ( although I don't want to go the mono route really). Like Hugh says, possibly the Rode NT1s left & right (high as they can go) and the SE X1A central, with possibly the SDC spot mics on the piano in stereo.

I'm looking forward to it, and if it sounds pants, then no one has really lost anything.

Thanks,

Jim.

[Aural Reject]

When is it?

[Mike Stranks]

Hi Peeps,,

Fist of all a big thank you to everyone for their insightful input.

I'm in Stockport near Manchester (UK).

Sorry! Too far off my patch, otherwise I'd have been pleased to help.

[Aural Reject]

Hi Peeps,,

Fist of all a big thank you to everyone for their insightful input.

I'm in Stockport near Manchester (UK).

Sorry! Too far off my patch, otherwise I'd have been pleased to help.

It’s a way away from home for me...but if it can be tied in with a visit to the kids in Woodford and I’m not working...then I might be able to do something.

[jimh76]

Hi peeps

It's on Saturday 28 September. I'd be recording the rehearsal in the afternoon and depending on how that goes record the concert in the evening. I've not got final confirmation yet so I may be told that it's a no go and to do the next 1 so don't do any planning for me Aural.

As I say I think it's a casual for me and as long as I don't completely muck it up could be something I regularly do for them.

Cheers for everyone's input.

Jim

[Aural Reject]

Hi peeps

It's on Saturday 28 September. I'd be recording the rehearsal in the afternoon and depending on how that goes record the concert in the evening. I've not got final confirmation yet so I may be told that it's a no go and to do the next 1 so don't do any planning for me Aural.

As I say I think it's a casual for me and as long as I don't completely muck it up could be something I regularly do for them.

Cheers for everyone's input.

Jim

I’m in Morocco atm but back by then.

In theory I’m only scheduled for edits that weekend - though I’m waiting for some dates off a band for some in-rehearsal recording before the 12th October which I’ll get after their gig tomorrow evening.

If you come up with an alternative mic plan or approach that you think would benefit from access to better mics just prod...I can cover most eventualities barring a filmic in shot balance.

[Arpangel]

The four-mic array is basically a pair of cardioids (or hypo-cardioids) spaced at about 47cm, with a pair of omni outriggers spaced at 67cm, all four being angled outwards at 45 degrees from the centre line.

The cardioid/hypo-cardioid spacing can be adjusted to suit the acoustics, source width, and required stereo recording angle, but the omnis should always be 10cm further out to each side.... according to Tony, anyway. :-)

Balance the directional and omni pairs to taste...

H

That's interesting, I take it the two outer most mic's are Omni's? and the two in the centre are cardioids?

Highlighted...

That diagram is very confusing, it gives the impression that one colour is cardioid, and the other colour is omni, but that doesn't make sense,

[hooty2]

Pitching in here with possible loan of panamic cathedral stand if gig not too far away

[Wonks]

Pitching in here with possible loan of panamic cathedral stand if gig not too far away

It's in Stockport.

[jimh76]

Thanks for everyone's help on this.

I'll update on how it went. Thanks for the offer of equipment, but I'll see how I get on with my stuff

Jim

[Hugh Robjohns]

That diagram is very confusing, it gives the impression that one colour is cardioid, and the other colour is omni, but that doesn't make sense,

I didn't draw it - -I didn't have the time -- I just borrowed it. The colours indicate the channels and the illustrated polar patterns indicate the, er, mic polar patterns! ;)

H

[Arpangel]

That diagram is very confusing, it gives the impression that one colour is cardioid, and the other colour is omni, but that doesn't make sense,

I didn't draw it -- I didn't have the time -- I just borrowed it. The colours indicate the channels and the illustrated polar patterns indicate the, er, mic polar patterns! ;)

H

I didn't think you drew it! My god, have I forgotten to take my medication this morning?
:blush:
I didn't even notice the polar patterns, my fault agin, I am going (gone?) mad, you'll just have to bare with me...

[Wonks]

Wibble.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Wibble.

... is the name of our dog! Or Miss Wibble, to be accurate!

(13 month-old Red-Fox Labrador bitch, in case you were wondering!)

[Aural Reject]

Thanks for everyone's help on this.

I'll update on how it went. Thanks for the offer of equipment, but I'll see how I get on with my stuff

Jim

It’s a wise move in a lot of ways - especially if you’re hoping for repeat business, because you don’t want to overpromise for future projects based on the gear you have to hand.

For example a recent high profile band in my field recently hired a studio who market themselves as specialists in the area. What they haven’t said is that there was an external engineer imported, few if any of the studio’s own mics were used, it’s being edited by an external academic and mixed by a third party studio...the only thing really brought to the party was the room...and guess why the mixing is required? Reading between the lines, although this product will be a great success, it potentially creates a road full of potholes for people who come after expecting the same.

Similarly I was in the lucky position that I could borrow stuff when I started out (regularly) so I essentially created a family sound with preferred (very expensive!) toys in various places. In order to continue that family I’ve bought my own set of everything....and it hasn’t come cheap...but I can continue to deliver based on the contents of my own boxes...

So...bravo for going for it, and best of luck!

[ConcertinaChap]

(13 month-old Red-Fox Labrador bitch, in case you were wondering!)

I knew it! This place is going to the dogs.

CC