Topic: AT853's at a shed?

[lsd2525]

OK, I've been taping for years but never used anything but omnis. Just got a set of AT853's and going to try them out Saturday for the Allman Bros at the shed here in Charlotte (Verizon Wireless). I've been reading about different patterns for the cards and I'm just looking for some $.02 from people who are familiar with using mics like these in a venue like this. I'm in Sec 5, which is behind the soundboard just to the right. So........what do ya think? XY? OTRF? Point 'em at the stacks?

Thanks for the input,
Dan

[dyneq]

What capsules do you have? Once we know that, we'll be able to answer your question.

[lsd2525]

Sorry, cards

[dyneq]

I'm not familiar with that venue, but I did dial up a seating chart. Can you run open? If so, I'd highly recommend bringing a stand and getting the mics up high to avoid too much audience noise vs. PA. If not, be prepared to move around to get away from noisy people. I realize that you probably already know this, but it is worth repeating.

As far as pattern goes, everyone has a different preference based on what they like and their own experimentations. Remember that it is very rare for there to be a true stereo mix on a big PA, so it usually doesn't pay to try and create a perfect stereo image of what it sounds like from your spot (unless it sounds great from there and that's what you want to capture). Some recommend XY, but I'm not a fan. You could try a simple PAS config (point at stacks) which has the advantage of getting you more from the PA and less from the audience. Another option is ORTF as a starting config, but don't be afraid to experiment with the angles to achieve a decent PA to crowd noise ratio. If you bring some good noise-isolating in ear phones, you could record a short series of different experimentations of the opening act(s) and then listen back on the break to figure out which one you like best.

Of course, another option is to use your omnis AB. Most folks like a 3-4 ft split, but if that's not practical you could use a baffled setup (Jecklin).

Whatever you decide on, please share your recording here so we can all learn from your experience.

[lsd2525]

Thanks for the advice. It's the Allmans, so I should be able to run a stand (I plan to anyway). Opener is Steve Winwood; actually more concerned with that than the Allmans. That being said, I'll probably just point at the stacks. I just wasn't sure if there was a reason not to do that. I've read a lot about XY vs. ORTF etc. but haven't seen a lot about just pointing one to the left and one to the right. I take it that stuff like XY and ORTF works better when you're closer? Or at least DFC between the stacks?

Thanks again for the advice; I know I just have to get out and experiment to see what happens, just trying to avoid as much of the learning curve that I can.

Am I correct in assuming that probably the best technique to employ in a  situation with the cards would to be to just basically point to the source and don't worry about getting fancy? I really like the results I get with the binaural/omni deal except for the drunken yahoo/chatty drunk chick factor........

[ArchivalAudio]

from that far back I'd run them DIN [90° at 20cm]
or DIN ~ish keep the caps at 90° and place them around 20cm apart 90° is easy to measure with a corner of a book or paper, magazine or the like. 20cm is just shy of 8"

it will give you a nice stereo image especially on a stand.

good luck

you can make a pvc bar to hold them with a center piece and 2 45° angle ends  to = 90°

have fun!

[lsd2525]

Cool, thanks. I was going to the show anyway and I won tickets on the radio last evening. Not sure if they are any better (might be lawns), but they come with access to the VIP lounge with free beer and food. Should be a good time

[fatstratcat]

from that far back I'd run them DIN [90° at 20cm]
or DIN ~ish keep the caps at 90° and place them around 20cm apart 90° is easy to measure with a corner of a book or paper, magazine or the like. 20cm is just shy of 8"

it will give you a nice stereo image especially on a stand.

good luck

you can make a pvc bar to hold them with a center piece and 2 45° angle ends  to = 90°

have fun!

1/2" CPVC is a nearly perfect fit for AT853 bodies. You'll have to ream out the ends just a little where you put the mics in, and cut some slots in the elbows for the cables. I sanded mine, painted it the ubiquitous black (CPVC is cheap, but doesn't have to look like it), and glued some neoprene to the middle part so that it fits snug in a Shure A53M shock mount. Works like a charm.

[ArchivalAudio]

FYI
Steve winwood should also be cool with recording:

see:
http://www.shnflac.net/details.php?id=f90cefa9230d9355f6b4dcc63de950fe02361a96
Steve Winwood
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Springs, New York
August 28, 2013
Master Audience Recorded By Keo!
 Nakamichi CM300/CP4 Shotguns > 2' Custom Microphone Bar >
  10' Monster Cables > Korg MR-1000 @ 1Bit/5.6MHz
   Microphones Dead Center On Lawn Approximately 40 Feet Back, 9 Feet High
Tracking/Sample Rate Conversion With AudioGate Software To 32/96kHz Wave
 Dithered/Flacked With Korg Aqua To 16/44
  SBE's Checked/Fixed With Trader's Little Helper
   Metadata Tagging With Tag&Rename

* Opened For The Allman Brothers Band! *

PS allmans don't allow "electronic" download sharing. but do allow snail mail trading
Setlist:

01.Intro By Uncle Vito!
02.Rainmaker
03.I'm A Man
04.Can't Find My Way Home
05.Had To Cry Today
06.Low Spark Of The High Heeled Boys
07.Light Up Or Leave Me Alone > Drums >
   Light Up Or Leave Me Alone
08.Higher Love
09.Dear Mr. Fantasy
10.Gimme Some Lovin'
11.Crowd

Steve Winwood - Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Paul Booth - Vocals, Saxophone, Flute, Keyboards
Jose Neto - Guitar
Richard Bailey - Drums
Cafe DaSilva - Percussion

[lsd2525]

Listening to the show finally. Wound up DFC in box next to soundboard. Think spread to far; was aiming at 90 degrees but may have exceeded. Big open hole between speakers when listening. Mics were 8"apart pointed towards the video screens outside of the stacks. To be honest, I wasn't thrilled with the sound at the show to begin with, so this could be worse. Think I might have hot-footed the input too. Ran the battery boxes into low sen. mic input. Couldn't get a signal with line in. Where's a good place to post?

[lsd2525]

I'll be glad to send the raw files to anyone interested in taking a crack at post production. I will myself at some point, but it will be awhile due to schedule.