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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: phishn on February 21, 2004, 08:48:08 PM

Title: Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: phishn on February 21, 2004, 08:48:08 PM
What vertical angle do you use when setting up mics and does it vary with different configs?  I generally point mine down about 5 degs all the time.
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: Sean Gallemore on February 21, 2004, 08:49:40 PM
depends where the stacks are relative to the placement of your mics
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: jpschust on February 21, 2004, 09:15:59 PM
yah, though ive noticed a LOT of people failing to point their mics a touch upwards when the stacks are well above where they are.  It's like they will run their stand with LD's on them way high (often to the point of instability) but a lot of the same effect can be achieved just by tilting the diaphragms up about 5-10 degrees
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: Tim on February 22, 2004, 04:19:16 PM
I generally point mine down about 5 degs all the time.

why?

pointing up a touch can help but why down?
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: phishn on February 23, 2004, 11:28:49 AM
i like bass..and logic says the subwoofers are usually at the bottom of the stacks.
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: Tim on February 23, 2004, 11:36:29 AM
yes, so I usually keep my stand low for the same effect. angling the mics down is going to give you reflections off of bodies, heads and the floor...

Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: MattD on February 23, 2004, 11:46:53 AM
i like bass..and logic says the subwoofers are usually at the bottom of the stacks.

The bass that the subs put out is primarily omnidirectional (to a point). However, the midrange is not. Pointing down to get more bass doesn't make a lot of sense by the way you've described it.
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: phishn on February 23, 2004, 01:17:07 PM
oh well..tapes sound fine..perhaps even better aiming up then.  when someone finds an exact equation please let me know.
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: Tim on February 23, 2004, 01:19:19 PM
I think not pointing at the floor will definitely help your tapes...
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: phishn on February 23, 2004, 01:21:24 PM
"yes, so I usually keep my stand low for the same effect."

Keeping stand low= tons of crowd chatter.  FWIW, i never aim the mics with an angle that great where they would be aiming at the floor..moreso towards the subwoofer.  I always to the line of sight test before raising em.
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: phishn on February 23, 2004, 01:25:47 PM
cool..i'll aim em upwards at vegas..confirmed.  thanks for the input.  Of course, you never know if you don't ask.
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: Tim on February 23, 2004, 01:31:54 PM
have you experimented with a low stand? I think you'll find that if the music is loud enough you don't really notice the crowd..
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: phishn on February 23, 2004, 01:34:20 PM
ok..so if the bass is omnidirectional then I don't need to worry about aiming towards the subwoofers downward.  If I'm interpreting this right, more bass effect would be a stand at a lower height, and the mics should still point upward towards the stacks moreso than the subwoofers.
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: phishn on February 23, 2004, 01:38:25 PM
how low are you talking?  I'm not sure usually how high I  hoist say around 8 to 9 ft..
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: phishn on February 23, 2004, 01:43:21 PM
+T for all on this thread....thanks again for your input.  not only did it answer my question but made me realize what can affect sound and how it travels..such as omnidirectional bass, floor reflections, etc...guess I should focus on wave theory again...
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: Tim on February 23, 2004, 01:55:53 PM
8-9ft most of the time...

Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: dave w on February 23, 2004, 06:54:26 PM
You'll also get increased bass presence by running your mics at a wider angle.  You're mics will capture less of the short, very directional high frequency sound waves, and, therefore, proportionally more of the long, closer to omnidirectional low frequency waves.  e.g running at 110 degrees will add more low end than running at 90 degrees, assuming both of those angles aim your mics outside the stacks.
-Dave
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: Sean Gallemore on February 23, 2004, 07:26:30 PM
i could definitely writ an equation for that!
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: phishn on February 23, 2004, 08:49:51 PM
i usually point to the outside of the stacks..think ill try DIN next time with 20 cm separation for cards, 17 cm separation for hypers when i get em.
Title: Re:Vertical angle for mic configs..
Post by: DPA on February 26, 2004, 06:35:19 PM
I'd be most interested in the phase response of the mics being aimed. Different angles of incident can have profound changes in the mics frequency response due to the lack of flat phase. Knowing the frequency response at various angles can give you insight as to how to point your mics best. Your results have more to do with phase response than you might think! AND there are very few flat phase mics available. VERY few. Go on line and look for specs...you won't find them for most mics....they don't want you to know.