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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: (Evan) on February 01, 2009, 05:55:10 AM

Title: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 01, 2009, 05:55:10 AM: So I have a pair of omni CMC-8's, and I use them to make binaural recordings of live theatre.

When the shows start, I wrap each mic in a loop around my ears, then slide the element under one wire so that it stays secure and points forward at the source. I've gotten incredible realistic sounding recordings from this, however I would like a more stable solution. I don't wear glasses, and glasses really irritate me, so clipping them to a faux pair isn't gonna work. Does anyone know of some kind of device that will fit on top of my ears that I can mount the CMC-8s to? Or does anyone have any ideas on how to make something that could do this job?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: fmaderjr on February 01, 2009, 09:27:23 AM: Possibly the easiest thing do do would be to use a headband to hold them in place. But assuming you'd feel foolish wearing a headband to a show you could try this somewhat bizarre sounding idea at home and see if it could work for you:

I just tried mounting mics above my ears using small strips of gaffers tape, which is attached mostly to my hair and a bit to the top of my ear. Seems more stable than I expected (if careful) and doesn't hurt too much when taken off.

My hair is a bit shaggy around the ears and though the mics I tried aren't especially small (AT 853's) it was very hard to notice them. It helped that my hair & the tape are both black.

Gaffers tape is the greatest. I don't know how I taped 10 years before I bought my first roll.

Another idea is that if you could locate a pair of rubber bands that fit fairly tightly around your ears (but not too tight) they might serve to keep the mics in place better than looping the cord.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: guysonic on February 01, 2009, 10:02:51 AM: This might work well, and available from my company without the DSM mics (see inset photo) as 'street style' headband.

(http://www.sonicstudios.com/sshb3a.jpg)

Also shown on page: www.sonicstudios.com/dsm.htm (http://www.sonicstudios.com/dsm.htm)
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: nathan_g on February 01, 2009, 02:05:06 PM: I too run CMC-8's and these work pretty well for me. They came off of a pair of $1 earbuds purchased from a 'Dollar Tree' store...just cut off the earbuds and yanked the wires. Attach the mics with a bit of gaffer tape. They're not too uncomfortable and they're fairly discreet. :coolguy:
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 01, 2009, 04:54:27 PM: Oh wow those look perfect. I'm gonna check the Dollar Tree here. Do they stay pretty stable? Also, do you have any pics of how you attached them? Thanks!
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: nathan_g on February 01, 2009, 04:59:18 PM: They stay pretty well in place. Be sure to leave a little bit of slack in your mic cables so they don't pull on your ears. The only drawback is that neon blue...kind of says "Look at me!!"

edit:

I don't have any pics of them attached - can take some later.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 01, 2009, 06:44:34 PM: Just picked up two pair! They had all kinds of crazy neon colors...finally found some blue ones on the bottom. Too bad they don't have black :(

Thanks a ton!
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: digifish_music on February 01, 2009, 06:54:39 PM: Quote from: (Evan) on February 01, 2009, 06:44:34 PM
Just picked up two pair! They had all kinds of crazy neon colors...finally found some blue ones on the bottom. Too bad they don't have black :(

Thanks a ton!

...a can of spray paint will fix that, sand them a bit first with a fine-grade paper. You can get plastic paint (http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,695657,00.html) btw.

digifish
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 01, 2009, 08:56:50 PM: Thanks.

Anyone know of any stores that carry gaffer tape? I've only found it online so far.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: nathan_g on February 01, 2009, 09:56:43 PM: Glad you got some...earbuds that is ;). As for spray paint for plastic, Krylon Fusion works great. Runs about $5 a can. Rather steep for spray paint but it's purpose made for adhering to plastic. Local music stores in my area sell it (gaffer tape). Music stores that cater to music production, that is.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: Belexes on February 01, 2009, 10:29:29 PM: Quote from: (Evan) on February 01, 2009, 08:56:50 PM
Thanks.

Anyone know of any stores that carry gaffer tape? I've only found it online so far.

Guitar Centers have rolls of gaff.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 02, 2009, 12:38:36 AM: Thanks. One more question...is there an advantage to using gaffing tape over something like Gorilla tape?
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: nathan_g on February 02, 2009, 12:40:48 AM: From the ads I've see for gorilla tape, I doubt you'd ever be able to remove it.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 02, 2009, 12:47:07 AM: Haha it's definitely not THAT strong. In fact it comes off as easy as most duct tapes I've used.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: nathan_g on February 02, 2009, 12:54:06 AM: Gaffer tape won't leave residue, is easily removed and can be torn into fairly precise size strips. If you don't want to drop $15 for a roll of gaff tape, very small zip cables work great for me. They sell those at the Dollar Tree as well. The Dollar Tree...broke ass tapers superstore...

edit:

Those are 4" zip cables.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 02, 2009, 01:01:45 AM: Ohhh very nice! You've been EXTREMELY helpful!!
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 02, 2009, 01:26:02 AM: Hey nathan, do you have the heavy duty or lightweight cable on your CMC-8's? I think my cable me just be too stiff because if I move my head even slightly, it jiggles the microphones. Makes noise on the recording too :(
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: nathan_g on February 02, 2009, 01:33:54 AM: While I haven't seen the thick cable, I'm pretty certain that I have the lightweight cable. I can't imagine it gets much thinner.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 02, 2009, 01:53:27 AM: I have the heavyweight cable and I think that's the problem. It's too stiff and thick, and pushes on the mics too much when moved. I've seen the lightweight cable and it's much thinner.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: digifish_music on February 02, 2009, 06:42:20 AM: Quote from: nathan_g on February 02, 2009, 12:54:06 AM
Gaffer tape won't leave residue, is easily removed and can be torn into fairly precise size strips. If you don't want to drop $15 for a roll of gaff tape, very small zip cables work great for me. They sell those at the Dollar Tree as well. The Dollar Tree...broke ass tapers superstore...

edit:

Those are 4" zip cables.

You know, looking at those mics you could probably tuck them on-top of your ears, like a pencil, no clip required?

(http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1512145/2/istockphoto_1512145_behind_ear_ii.jpg)

I do that with some omnis I made.

(http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/Freesound_Cascade_Tour.jpg)
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: nathan_g on February 03, 2009, 01:15:20 AM: I haven't tried that at a show but I've experimented at home. They'll stay put as long as you sit still but one good tug at the cables and they're easily yanked down.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: (Evan) on February 03, 2009, 03:25:36 AM: Yeah..I can't get them to stay there at all by themselves.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: Dede2002 on February 05, 2009, 01:50:19 PM: Quote from: digifish_music on February 02, 2009, 06:42:20 AM

You know, looking at those mics you could probably tuck them on-top of your ears, like a pencil, no clip required?

I do that with some omnis I made.

Man, that's a great idea. Thanks for that. :coolguy:
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: rastasean on February 05, 2009, 05:52:42 PM: just grow some dreads and clip them to that.
Title: Re: Over the ear mounts for binaural recording?
Post by: marksk on February 12, 2009, 04:59:10 PM: walmart has a package of 4" black zip ties. i think 1.99 for 50 (or 100)