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Author Topic: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?  (Read 6122 times)

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Offline (Evan)

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Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« on: December 18, 2010, 04:39:50 PM »
So I'm going to be making a recording soon from the front row in a theatre. Recording is allowed, but I won't be able to set up stands or anything due to the nature of the show. The widest spread between the mics I'll be able to get will be about 30cm. What technique should I use in this situation? I've read that ORTF isn't suitable at such close distances, so would it be better to increase or decrease the angle of the (cardioid) capsules? Or would I be better off using baffled omni's instead? There won't be any significant audience noise except for applause. Thanks

Offline 12milluz

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2010, 04:58:12 PM »
The problem with the front row is that you aren't really covered by speakers in many venues. The main FOH speakers tend to hang over the front row so you cannot really tape off them. What is the set up speaker wise in this theatre? I'd try omnis if there are no direct speakers in front of you.
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Offline (Evan)

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2010, 05:01:11 PM »
There are many smaller speakers spread out along the lip of the stage, and the main speakers are on either side of the stage, about 10 feet back. There are also large speakers directly above the stage on the proscenium angled down towards the audience.

Offline 12milluz

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2010, 07:20:57 PM »
I would  try omnis. I think cards would just sound too "narrow" that close.
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Offline (Evan)

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2010, 07:24:43 PM »
Baffle or no baffle? If no baffle, should I angle them at all?

Thanks

Offline 12milluz

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2010, 07:30:03 PM »
Ok, so are you just going to be holding the mics on your lap? You mention no stands, so I assume either that or wearing them. In order to use that baffle you'll have to hold them which sounds annoying. In that case, I would just wear them. If you set them up with your head as a baffle, you should be good to go. And since they're omnis, no need to angle them really at all.
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Offline (Evan)

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2010, 07:33:32 PM »
They're actually gonna be mounted on my glasses with several rubber bands. Oktava MK-012's with the swivel mounts for the capsules. If I didn't need to baffle, I'd move them to where the caps protrude beyond by glasses...if baffled I'd move them back to where my head is between the caps and angle them outward slightly using the swivels.

Offline 12milluz

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2010, 07:36:36 PM »
That's an interesting approach with mics that big! I would use your head as the baffle, better to get a true binaural recording in this case. I just fear those glasses are gonna be heavy!
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Offline (Evan)

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2010, 07:39:32 PM »
They're actually not uncomfortable at all, surprisingly! Been doing a lot of testing with them.

Thanks for the help!

Offline 12milluz

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2010, 07:42:21 PM »
Hey, whatever works, right?
No problem! 8)
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Offline NOLAfishwater

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2010, 09:44:25 PM »
Set them at anywhere from 90 to 110 degrees. Ortf or nos sound allsum up close.

Offline (Evan)

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #11 on: December 18, 2010, 09:59:36 PM »
So lets say I would do ORTF. Would placing an AT853 omni in the center between the mics, and then mixing that track into the stereo track yield any benefits?

Offline burris

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2010, 12:05:19 PM »
With front row seats you can easily trade for seats 5-15 rows back in the dead center, wherever the sound is the best for that venue.

Offline (Evan)

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #13 on: December 19, 2010, 04:15:36 PM »
Moving seats isn't an option for me.

Offline burris

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Re: Stereo technique for close miking with spread limitation?
« Reply #14 on: December 19, 2010, 05:43:06 PM »
Microphones pick up the sound where you place them:  if it doesn't sound good where you place them then your recording wont sound good and there isn't any technique that will fix that.  In other words, audio recording is all about microphone placement.  Whether the front row is a good place to record from depends on the band and the venue.  Your question indicates that the front row is not good as you seem to be trying to pick up the PA on either side of the stage.  This line of discussion is analogous to going into a photography forum and asking what lens to use to get a good frontal shot of the singer from the wings of the stage.  A wider pickup angle won't help you because the sound you're after simply isn't reaching your position.

If the front row is a poor place to record from, you can't switch seats, and you can't leave your rig setup at the mix position then about the only way to improve your situation is loan your rig to someone with better seats.  I have a feeling you're not going to go with that either so you should suck it up and accept that your recording is likely to have bad sounding vocals and other instruments which depend on reinforcement and perhaps sound roomy/boomy.  Maybe it will sound pretty good!

 

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