Topic: Mic Placement?

[gormenghast]

Taped a bleugrass band this weekend and didn't have many--any--options other than to tape my stand to a post and run the mics about 8ft up.  Your thoughts on this spot?  DFC about 20 feet from there stage.

[danny3]

If it was me, I would have tried to come out just a bit to get clear of the overhang. Maybe with a 90 degree pipe, or elbow and extension. I can't tell from the photo; maybe the piece between the stand and the shock mount could rotate down 90 degrees and that would get you out more.

[gormenghast]

The recording came out pretty good music-wise.  Schoeps 4's ORTF w/PFAs>Aerco>M10.  Typical bar crowd noisy as heck.

I didn't think too much about the placement until I looked at the picture.  But I didn't have much choice either.  This pole might have worked and helped with the crowd noise but I wasn't in the frame of mind to guard my gear.  Bad enough I had beer spilled on my leg and foot and drunks reaching over my gear to put their drink down or pick it up.

[Ultfris101]

You could end up in much worse spots.

Like was suggested above, maybe consider something like this to help get a little separation from the obstructions and you'll be in pretty good shape:

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/353524.html

There are longer extensions that might work too but then you also start getting into issues with moving center of gravity away from center. If you can anchor to the post or something then that's not an issue.

[carlbeck]

The recording came out pretty good music-wise.  Schoeps 4's ORTF w/PFAs>Aerco>M10.  Typical bar crowd noisy as heck.

I didn't think too much about the placement until I looked at the picture.  But I didn't have much choice either.  This pole might have worked and helped with the crowd noise but I wasn't in the frame of mind to guard my gear.  Bad enough I had beer spilled on my leg and foot and drunks reaching over my gear to put their drink down or pick it up.

That would have been excellent placement & a good reason to carry spare mic cables so you can run your bag in a safer spot. Ted & I record at a local venue with a pole in a similar location, fortunately it's made of wood & Ted screwed a grab handle into the wood so we could clamp onto it. He also ran a 40ft long snake overhead so we can place our gear on a table next to the soundboard. The point is to always have a cheapo spare set of cables in the vehicle so you can get your gear bag ($$$$) away from the drunks spilling drinks.

[gormenghast]

The recording came out pretty good music-wise.  Schoeps 4's ORTF w/PFAs>Aerco>M10.  Typical bar crowd noisy as heck.

I didn't think too much about the placement until I looked at the picture.  But I didn't have much choice either.  This pole might have worked and helped with the crowd noise but I wasn't in the frame of mind to guard my gear.  Bad enough I had beer spilled on my leg and foot and drunks reaching over my gear to put their drink down or pick it up.

That would have been excellent placement & a good reason to carry spare mic cables so you can run your bag in a safer spot. Ted & I record at a local venue with a pole in a similar location, fortunately it's made of wood & Ted screwed a grab handle into the wood so we could clamp onto it. He also ran a 40ft long snake overhead so we can place our gear on a table next to the soundboard. The point is to always have a cheapo spare set of cables in the vehicle so you can get your gear bag ($$$$) away from the drunks spilling drinks.

Great idea I'll remember.  I did have cables for a possible soundboard feed but no xlr>xlrs.   

Just thinking back on that night.  It might have been tough to get my mics on that pole out of reach of the dancers who twirled around it.  I'm sure now I'll come up with something if I go there again.   

[Ultfris101]

Great idea I'll remember.  I did have cables for a possible soundboard feed but no xlr>xlrs.   

Just thinking back on that night.  It might have been tough to get my mics on that pole out of reach of the dancers who twirled around it.  I'm sure now I'll come up with something if I go there again.

And now is when you start making friends with the FOH or others who work there and borrow a step ladder to get higher up. Sometimes I feel like I work at these places

[gormenghast]

Great idea I'll remember.  I did have cables for a possible soundboard feed but no xlr>xlrs.   

Just thinking back on that night.  It might have been tough to get my mics on that pole out of reach of the dancers who twirled around it.  I'm sure now I'll come up with something if I go there again.

And now is when you start making friends with the FOH or others who work there and borrow a step ladder to get higher up. Sometimes I feel like I work at these places

Exactly!  I was early enough and talked to the bar's sound guy.  He said no to the soundboard patch but was cool about anything else.   

[Gutbucket]

That would have been excellent placement & a good reason to carry spare mic cables so you can run your bag in a safer spot. Ted & I record at a local venue with a pole in a similar location, fortunately it's made of wood & Ted screwed a grab handle into the wood so we could clamp onto it. He also ran a 40ft long snake overhead so we can place our gear on a table next to the soundboard. The point is to always have a cheapo spare set of cables in the vehicle so you can get your gear bag ($$$$) away from the drunks spilling drinks.

Or alternately, always tape with Ted!