Topic: SetUp for Outdoors

[blu666z]

Gonna be hitting up my frist outdoor show on the 4th.  Its a free North Mississippi Allstars here in Seattle.  How should I setup my mics compared with 'normal' indoors where I run DIN?  I am thinking more angle.  Also, I may try running my buddies omnis with my mics thru my UA-5 to try that out.

-Kevin

[rabhan]

if you are close enough to center and fob, run ORTF if you got cards

[Wes]

For the cards Oade says:
http://oade.com/Tapers_Section/micsetupoutdoors.html
ORTF would be good too, IMO.

If you run the omnis I would just split them somewhere between 2 to 20 ft and point them at the stacks.  

[Brian Skalinder]

I think NOS cards sound really nice outdoors if you're not too far back from the sound source.

[DaryanLenz]

I have run nos with mbho's outdoors and loved it.  With the gefells, I prefer ortf, at 110 or greater.  I always run FOB if I can FYI!

Daryan

[kgreener]

I'm digging up this old thread as I have a question about outdoor setup.  Per the below photo, I taped this local band last weekend using NOS (Josephson cards) for the first set, and DIN the second set.  I like the sound of the second set better, but I'm still not real happy with either.  Yeah, could be a shitty sound mix (which I think is part of it), but I taped this same band last fall as a total newbie using what turned out to be an A-B config with SP Slimline cards, and damn if the old recording doesn't sound better than this one (I taped from the exact same spot, about 30 feet away DFC).  I think I should definitely try ORTF this time, if that's what you all think . 


But I also have a question about this outdoor configuration on the Oade page:  http://oade.com/Tapers_Section/micsetupoutdoorszoom.html

This to me looks almost like XY, but without the 90 degree angle...am I close on my guess?  What advantages does this config give you?  Wouldn't this give you a thin, weak soundstage?  Or is this to be used from a farther distance?  I'm going to (hopefully, if I get her okay) tape a jazz vocalist and her band in the same exact place this Sunday, so I'm wondering what the best config would be.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

peace

[kgreener]

Anyone out there?   Can ya help a poor old soul get his sh*t together on outdoor mic configurations?  Please?!?

thanks

[John Kelly]

I love split omni for outdoor shows. 

[kgreener]

Agreed, I've read nothing but good things about split omnis.  However, this music series that I tape at has a lot of background noise...kids running around, folks yapping away, etc., so I'm not sure omnis are a good thing.  Actually I did record a show here last year with a cheap pair of mini omnis (my first pair of mics), and while it sounded okay, I got a *lot* of extra background noise in my recording, which is pretty bothersome after a while.

So, should I just go ORTF?  Or what about this config from the Oade site?  What do you call this?


Thanks y'all...

[danmorgan]

Agreed, I've read nothing but good things about split omnis.  However, this music series that I tape at has a lot of background noise...kids running around, folks yapping away, etc., so I'm not sure omnis are a good thing.  Actually I did record a show here last year with a cheap pair of mini omnis (my first pair of mics), and while it sounded okay, I got a *lot* of extra background noise in my recording, which is pretty bothersome after a while.

So, should I just go ORTF?  Or what about this config from the Oade site?  What do you call this?


Thanks y'all...

I'd call that X-Y at an angle of 110-120 degrees.  You'll get a fuller soundstage and better low-end running ORTF opposed to this one pictured.

[kgreener]

Awesome Dan, this is what I wanted, somebody to reinforce what I've been hearing, that ORTF is the way to go.  A fuller soundstage and better low-end are what I'm looking for, no doubt.  Thanks again!

[danmorgan]

No Problem

[mirth]

I ran ORTF for the first time ever last weekend at an outdoor gig my brother's band played. Other than some rumble from wind (got the phatty DPA screens on order now) I think it sounds great!

[danmorgan]

The only time I'd run X-Y over DIN or ORTF outdoors would be if the wind were so strong that it would limit the amount of phase-shifting that the mics would pick up.  Of course, it wouldn't limit any rumble, your windscreens would have to limit that.  Windscreens can't do a thing for phase-shifting.

Mirth-You'll love those DPA's for those heavier winds!

[mirth]

Mirth-You'll love those DPA's for those heavier winds!

I'm looking forward to getting them! I traded the band that opened for my brother's group a couple weeks ago (indoors, whew) copies of their set plus the flac masters for the screens.

[kgreener]

I hear a lot about these big DPA screens, where did you get them (Sonic Sense?), and would they fit on small (21cm) mics??

[mirth]

I have AKG 393's (19mm, I believe) and from what I've read on here they're a nice fit. They were ordered from DaleProAudio (Thanks Jonny for turning me on to them!), and if you call them I'd bet they would sell them for the $12 list price rather than the $14 their site has them at (site also says List - $12).

[creekfreak]

Split omni's rock, but so did the tapes I did that I ran omni's about 8 inches apart. Never done NOS, will have to try sometime. ORTF works well with cards if you are close, DIN with cards is always a good bet.

[kgreener]

ORTF worked wonders yesterday, tapes sound great...thanks to everyone for their help!


peace

[danmorgan]

ORTF worked wonders yesterday, tapes sound great...thanks to everyone for their help!


peace

Glad you had a successful run!!

[LeftoverSammy]

I have run all configs outdoors and have found ORTF @ 110 to 120deg. produces the best results to my listening tastes when close to the SBD or FOB. Nice fat, well rounded lowend with a big sound stage. Depending on the mics you run you might just find the low end to be a bit much for some playback systems. When I run my Gefells M200's in ORTF outdoors the low end is very pronounced and powerful and might not sound as good on lower end systems. But when you listen on a decent system....WOW!!!

Experiment and go what sounds best to YOUR ears!!
Have fun!

LoS

[kgreener]

well said Sammy...i'm liking ortf at 110 a *lot* lately (i will keep 120 in mind too).  i get another chance to try it on july 5th with a nice jazz-funk outfit, outdoors in the exact same place.  my last recording sounded great, but it was a jazz singer along with only an acoustic bass and hollow-body guitar.  this next time will be drums, keys, guitar and bass, so that will give me a better indication of how the low-end is sounding.

thanks again!

peace

[Craig T]

you should at least try x/y.  i use it over ortf if I'm close enough.

nice av.  I have an ice cold bottle of Prima Pils waiting for me at home.  I've got to get over to Victory for a brewery tour one of these days.  If you like the Prima, try the Warsteiner Premium Verum - http://www.warsteiner-usa.com.

[kgreener]

will do on the x/y...i'd like to try all of these configs if possible.

another prima lover, alright!  they (victory) simply don't make a bad beer, pretty much everything is awesome.  hop devil is another big favorite, as is storm king in the winter.  leaving for a week at the beach (delaware) tomorrow and i have a case of prima and 'devil ready to go.  i too need to get over to downingtown for a visit, just the other day a pal said the same thing. 

yes, i have had the warsteiner, but it's been a while since i've picked some up.  i will try to grab a six and do some straight up taste-testing (prima vs. warsteiner) with my bro' next week.  i'll let you know how it goes 

later!