Topic: Omnis on a single stand

[Rob D.]

Alright then,

I finally found a 4' aluminum rod (at Home Depot!) that will fit thru the Sabra stand mount and the Sabra mic mounts clip onto that. So what I now have is a 4' spread on one mount but haven't actually used it yet. I use MBHO603 with the KA200 cards but last Spring I purchased a used pair of Omni (KA100LK) that I've yet to use in the field! I've never seen this mount setup before and am curious if 4' or 3' is the best spread to use?

[Craig T]

I've spaced omni's as close as 12 inches with decent results (when close to the sound source, ie. on stage).  A 4' spread should work well, even from a distance, but I'd try to stay close, maybe 30 feet or less.  A close spacing far from the source will give you a "small" sounding source, the music will sound like its all coming from a distant point in the middle of the image, the crowd will fill the rest of the image and should have a decent L/R separation.  Experiment with different spacings and please report back!

[plucks]

It is definitely venue specific.  If it is a large outdoor festival type venue, you can get away with the 20' spacing.  If it's small you can do what Craig did and stay close.  Generally, 3-7 feet spread will get you nice results.  You have to watch out about spacing it too far or you will get the hole in the middle effect: Only left and right characteristics of the recording, no middle.  
Other than that, omni records can turn out great or turn out poor.  They are not as forgiving as normal directional mics capsules.  

One interesting omni note:  the time difference of the arriving signal can make a bigger difference than you would think, also compared to typical directional capsules.  One venue (Mishawaka) has a stage slightly angled.  The left mic was recieving the signal a few miliseconds earlier than the right.  You wouldn't notice this unless you can see the waveforms on a computer software program.  So, by lining up the 2 channels, the recording cleared up and a lot more definition was produced.  
It's amazing what the human brain can process and understand!!


Rob-you should be ok with your 4' bar.
Good luck
Phil

[Rob D.]

Thanks for all the solid advice guys. I'd +T all y'all if I could!
I'm thinking of using the omni setup for Dave Alvin this Saturday at a nice sounding 300 capacity auditorium (Campus Theatre - Seattle) and will report back. Thanks again!

[Chuck]

I recorded The Dead this summer at Red Rocks with Octava MC012 omni's spaced 27 inches in one stand in the section. I angled them to the outside of the stacks. I liked this recording much better than my NOS recordings, in the same run, with cardioids.

[Sean Gallemore]

if you want a "stereo image" with omnis you need either some baffling or a huge spread, from what i've read

[Tim]

I've got two shows where I utilized the Healy Method... a Bela Fleck and Flecktones show and a Phish show... lmk if you're intersted!

[Chuck]

if you want a "stereo image" with omnis you need either some baffling or a huge spread, from what i've read

My omni recording did have a good "stereo image." Not as defined as with cardioids, but more like what you hear at the show. I'm quite interested in trying some sort of baffling next. Maybe a winter project?

[Chuck]

Thanks Mike.
I had read that thread a while back and didn't remember that is was you who posted it. When I first moved to Colorado I met Mike Grace when he was working for Jeff Rowland in the 1980's. He helped me design the pre-amp I use now. Anyway... I saw him the night I was taping The Dead at Red Rocks using the 27" spaced omni's. He was always a big advocate for using spaced omnis. I have a great Spectrum, PA 1980something recording he made of the Grateful Dead with spaced Schoeps. This summer, he told me again that omnis always sounded best to him for concert taping. I have to agree. Unfortunately it's not always practical, but I use my omni's whenever I can. I'm more determined now to build a baffle and start using it.

[Tim]

omni's indoors.... anyone have experiences or thoughts?

location will be the most important factor... any other thoughts?

[wbrisette]

omni's indoors.... anyone have experiences or thoughts?

location will be the most important factor... any other thoughts?

Location is key. I personally don't like omni's as my only mic when running tape from the "section". That tends to be a bit too far away to pull in great tapes with only omnis. Closer in, I don't mind Omni's, but by themselves it really is key to find the right location.

Wayne

[silentmark]

Alright then,

I finally found a 4' aluminum rod (at Home Depot!) that will fit thru the Sabra stand mount and the Sabra mic mounts clip onto that. So what I now have is a 4' spread on one mount but haven't actually used it yet. I use MBHO603 with the KA200 cards but last Spring I purchased a used pair of Omni (KA100LK) that I've yet to use in the field! I've never seen this mount setup before and am curious if 4' or 3' is the best spread to use?

I ran a 4' omni spread with my Oktava's for Railroad Earth, it is on the etree archive if you are interested http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=3283 I used a hockey stick, cut down & attached to my stand  ...

[nic]

moke...quick question.

why are you using the pop-screens indoors?

[cpclark]

screens indoors in my experience dont do much to the sound of the mic

[Sean Gallemore]

if you want a "stereo image" with omnis you need either some baffling or a huge spread, from what i've read

My omni recording did have a good "stereo image." Not as defined as with cardioids, but more like what you hear at the show. I'm quite interested in trying some sort of baffling next. Maybe a winter project?

maybe something to look into, calico

http://www.sonicstudios.com/liteguy.htm