Topic: Mic Configurations for Dummies (including Stereophonic Zoom link)

[Youneverno41]

this should help me before i tape my first show...+t

[tfs8271]

What is the best configuration for:
1. indoor small (stealth/non-stealth)
2. indoor large (stealth/non-stealth)
3. outdoor small (stealth/non-stealth)
4. outdoor large (stealth/non-stealth)

All these close up versus far back.

I will be using my new ACM PMD660 with AKG CK31s>LM3>MPA III L mics...looking to place in a hat around the SBD at the Greek.

What mics should I look for to add to my PMD660 Advanced Concert Mod for non-stealth recording?

Do you adjust the angle when you are off from dead center?

Thanks any help will....help!

[Nick's Picks]

well...thats sort of a lot of questions covering the whole range here.

what config you use depends on what you like.  they all sound different..and some work more universaly than others.

for a general "will this sound good in this venue from this location" situation, a general answer is DIN.
its more forgiving than XY/ORTF.  but doesn't sound as nice as either of those configs if the acoustics are good and your in the sweet spot...or close to the stage (lip) or something.

not sure that helps much...

when you're off angle.  Its more of a situation where you adjust gain on the weak side to compensate. 
thats what I do any way.

this is all just IMO...of course

[Nick's Picks]

oh...
and regarding XY.
the big thing to keep on w/this is the alignment of the capsules. 
If you want a good xy recording...you really have to pay attention to the spacing and orientation of the capsules to each other.  I mount mine so that they are sitting on top of each other, w/no more than a 1/4" space between them.  I draw an imaginary axis line down the middle and keep the caps perfectly aligned on this.  Like stacking two quarters on top of each other and rotate them as needed...


the SHURE vertical bar sucks, imo.
its handy...but I dont like the huge spacing between the capsules.  I think if you have it tight, the result is tighter imaging and a more realistic sense of space.

[George]

well...thats sort of a lot of questions covering the whole range here.

what config you use depends on what you like.  they all sound different..and some work more universaly than others.

for a general "will this sound good in this venue from this location" situation, a general answer is DIN.
its more forgiving than XY/ORTF.  but doesn't sound as nice as either of those configs if the acoustics are good and your in the sweet spot...or close to the stage (lip) or something.

not sure that helps much...

when you're off angle.  Its more of a situation where you adjust gain on the weak side to compensate. 
thats what I do any way.

this is all just IMO...of course

great post and a question: how the hell do you make sure you have the proper degree of angles and spacing between the mics?

[tfs8271]

great post and a question: how the hell do you make sure you have the proper degree of angles and spacing between the mics?

In a private email Nick said:

I bring a protractor to get the angle just right.  90deg you can eye easily enough (though most people who do are short, more like 80deg).  and yes, 1cm matters.  its physics...and unfortunately ...its an exact science.

Thanks Nick and Enjoy

[BuddyGoodness]

just to clarify, for XY, the mic pointing to the audience right stack is the mic you plug into the right channel and the mic pointing to the left audience stack is the one you plug into the left channel?

yes

Does it make any difference?

[Nick's Picks]

of course it does.  otherwise your channels are revered.  things that were on the left will be on the right durring playback.

[tfs8271]

of course it does.  otherwise your channels are revered.  things that were on the left will be on the right durring playback.

Yeah but you would have the effect of hanging upside down facing the stage during the entire show....just close your eyes. The head rushes are a bitch though.

[BobW]

So wait XY should be done at 135* ?

I believe they recommend the max to be 135, and there's no way you'd want to go below 90.

X-Y cards @ 70^  from the section isn't so bad, a bit monophonic, but less room and boom

[BayTaynt3d]

Alright, this is probably a really dumb question, but here it goes anyway...

So the SPACING between the mics REALLY matters a lot? Why? Is it a phase cancellation thing? So, I should literally be measuring the distance so it is EXACTLY correct? Now if I decide to angle my mics a little more or less -- let's say in an DIN config -- that might be fine, but I should still get the spacing exactly correct, as in bring a ruler with me?

Thanks, Taint

[T-90]

oh...
and regarding XY.
the big thing to keep on w/this is the alignment of the capsules. 
If you want a good xy recording...you really have to pay attention to the spacing and orientation of the capsules to each other.  I mount mine so that they are sitting on top of each other, w/no more than a 1/4" space between them.  I draw an imaginary axis line down the middle and keep the caps perfectly aligned on this.  Like stacking two quarters on top of each other and rotate them as needed...


the SHURE vertical bar sucks, imo.
its handy...but I dont like the huge spacing between the capsules.  I think if you have it tight, the result is tighter imaging and a more realistic sense of space.

can the windscreens touch with xy?

[db]

http://www.dpamicrophones.com/


also this one. click on "university" tab.

[kuuan]

shure.com says that link originally posted here doesn't exist any more.
could somebody make it available?

[Brian Skalinder]

shure.com says that link originally posted here doesn't exist any more.
could somebody make it available?

It's still on the Shure site, just in a different location (select Accessories & Replacement Parts from the dropdown):

http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Downloads/UserGuidesAndTechSpecs/index.htm

It's also now in the TS Reference section:

http://www.taperssection.com/reference/pdf/Manual_ShureA27M.pdf