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Author Topic: RØDE NT-SF1  (Read 10148 times)

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Offline BlindGuyEars

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RØDE NT-SF1
« on: April 09, 2018, 01:01:26 PM »
In time for the @NABshow, #RØDE Mics announces its first broadcast-grade, 360-degree capture mic.

The @SoundFieldMic By RØDE NT-SF1 is the first true condenser #ambisonic mic available under USD $1000.

http://www.rode.com/nt-sf1

Now, can someone tell me how Ambisonics differs from say, binaural?

Offline heathen

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2018, 01:36:21 PM »
I'm no expert, but the main difference is that ambisonic mics basically capture sound at a single point, whereas binaural mics are positioned at the ears (so there's not only space but also a baffle).  There is software that can create binaural sound from an ambisonic recording.

Another big difference is that an ambisonic mic gives you flexibility in manipulating the recording in post (for example, you can take a single ambisonic recording and, with software, convert it to Blumlein, XY cards, XY hypers, omni, etc), whereas that is not the case for binaural.
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Offline Gutbucket

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2018, 04:08:04 PM »
To expound on that a bit-

Think of Ambisonics as Mid/Side -  except 3-dimensional, and with an unconstrained relationship between pickup pattern and microphone angle.  So no need to choose a Mid pattern, or even point the mic in any specific direction beforehand (you do need to know its orientation, it just doesn't matter which way it points).  You can choose any pattern and point the virtual mics in any direction afterwards.  That flexibility is its advantage.   The drawbacks are that it is limited to coincident patterns only, requires 4 recorded channels, and requires post-recording decisions and processing.

Binaural is not a coincident arrangement and is not as flexible, using a dummy head or a real head with microphones placed in the ears.  It records Head Related Transfer Function HTRF cues including those derived from ear-shape which can make for very realistic playback over headphones as long as the HTRF and ears used for recording match those of the listener closely enough. It requires only two recorded channels and no post-processing.  Drawbacks are that it is pointed in a specific direction and that orientation cannot be adjusted after the recording has been made, the post production manipulation options are more limited, and speaker playback may somewhat compromised compared to headphone listening.
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Offline Hypnocracy

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2018, 05:17:25 PM »
RØDE Capsule sound has never been my favorite...that they have a remote capsule setup NT6 that is not frequently used by TS members IMO speaks volumes...I'd love to hear one of these... 
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Offline 2manyrocks

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2018, 06:34:40 PM »
There's a youtube video from NAB where the Rode rep shows the windshield and shock mount that comes with this mic.  The windshield looks pretty large to me.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtTs7fk1mmI


Offline heathen

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2018, 09:54:31 PM »
There's a youtube video from NAB where the Rode rep shows the windshield and shock mount that comes with this mic.  The windshield looks pretty large to me.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtTs7fk1mmI
That looks like a Rycote Baby Ball Gag, which I use for my TetraMic.

I like what Sennheiser did with their Ambeo.  There's a rigid mesh around the capsules that looks like a vocal mic.  While that's certainly not enough wind protection on its own, I like that it's small enough that even when used indoors with no wind you don't need to take it off, so the capsules stay protected all the time.  That said, I just keep the BBG on my TetraMic all the time and I'm fine with that.
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Offline Nick's Picks

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2018, 08:58:03 AM »
Ambisonics use a Z axis for height information as well.   

Offline Gutbucket

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2018, 09:12:17 AM »
Yes.  One of the cooler things when recording on-stage relatively close to the sources, you can tune the sound by adjusting how much the virtual microphone patterns point up or down (in addition to polar pattern shape and left right angling).  Very cool to tweak the sound of the drum kit afterwards balancing kick against cymbals, dial in the timbre of the guitar amp depending on how much floor reflection is being picked up, I've even used a Z-axis adjustment to focus on the delicate fingering sound of an upright bass (pointing more up) rather than all the bass coming from the amp.

You are constrained somewhat in how far you can go with this by needing to keep everything else balanced at the same time.   And such options can be a burden as much as a benefit if you have a hard time juggling all the combinations and making a decision of what's most appropriate.

But all this is why I feel one of the more appropriate applications of an ambisonic mic is on-stage taping, where the sources are both in close proximity and yet distinct from each other.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline Nick's Picks

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2018, 08:09:58 AM »
I was all horny to get one of these....., but then I scored an ebay auction on an ST-250 last week....at a most excellent price

Offline Gutbucket

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2018, 09:02:26 AM »
Cool Nick, let us know how you like it.  ST-250 uses larger diaphragm capsules and an analog hardware matrix box, no?

Has the mic/hardware box been recalibrated recently? Correct calibration is critical for any ambisonic microphone - far more important than close matching of a stereo microphone pair if it is to operate correctly.  Else the virtual patterns derived through matrixing of the assumed closely-calibrated capsules be all wonky and weird.

musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline muj

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2018, 05:02:23 AM »
problem now With st-250.... they can't be serviced anymore. One of the main reasons the auction had low price

Offline Nick's Picks

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2018, 08:18:20 AM »
Rhode will service them, I've been told.   No idea of the calibration aspect.   This is the 2nd one I've had the pleasure to own.  I bought one new back in 2002.   loved it to peaces...it's always been my holy grail mic.
And yes, its all analog remote control on the processor box.    According to the auction, it's coming from a studio that specializes in location and FX.   I might need to dig up a cable for it...as the listing was a bit light on info, otherwise stating that it came with some custom cables.    That is confusing, as you need the soundfield multi-pin DIN cable to go from mic to control box.   From there, it's only 3pin XLR out for stereo output...but you can make a custom B format cable for it as the pinout of the XLR outputs can carry two channels of unbalanced B format, resulting in the 4.

my goal is to have it all together and ready to roll for Dark side of the Mule in mid July, where I have 20th row FOB/DFC seats and want to pull a smoker blumlein recording.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2018, 08:27:44 AM by Nick's Picks »

Offline dactylus

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2018, 08:49:11 AM »
^ I hope that you acquire the cables needed in time for The Dark Side of The Mule show!!  Good luck.

 :cheers:
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Offline Gutbucket

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2018, 08:49:43 AM »
Yeah that sounds cool.

Guessing the custom cable(s) may be for a 4-channel direct out from the microphone, used to record raw A-format to a 4 channel recorder without the processor box.

You'd then need to playback the channel A-format through the processor box to derive either a stereo out based on the processor box settings, or B-format.  The advantage of doing this is that you'd not need to commit to Blumlein or any other config prior to recording.  Instead choosing whatever coincident setup sounds best to you afterwards, even if it's only a slight tweak away from straight Blumlein, like 105-degree crossed hypers, 120-degree supercards, whatev.

Having owned one you probably know all this, but a lot of folks use these mics like a straight stereo mic, recording just the stereo output, meaning they need to commit to a certain pattern combination prior to recording. To me the great advantage of an ambisonic mic is being able to adjust the virtual pattern to whatever sounds best afterwards, especially for a taper where we don't have any opportunity to carefully monitor and try various settings to find the sweet spot setting before making the recording.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline muj

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Re: RØDE NT-SF1
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2018, 01:13:22 PM »
Great news! Kudos to Røde

 

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