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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: blu666z on April 02, 2003, 02:14:01 AM

Title: Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 02, 2003, 02:14:01 AM
Got a question and I hope I ask it right.  I want to experiment with something new tomorrow night at Guster.  Normally I run my mics about 24” apart and facing the same direction, straight ahead.  I want to try and do a 90 degree XY setup and see how it sounds.  Not sure exactly the right way to position them.  Have two ideas in mind.  If you are looking straight down on my mics: the mic on the left is angled 45 degrees to the right and the right mic is angled 45 degrees to the left.  Or should it be that the left mic is angled to the left and vice versa for the right.  Or should I even be trying something like that with cardiods.  Maybe I will just run like that for the opener and then  back to normal for Guster.

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: nickgregory on April 02, 2003, 08:26:01 AM
a picture is worth a thousand words...go here,

http://www.dpamicrophones.com/eng_pub/index.html

go to microphone university, stereo techniques and click on XY...picture should help you determine how to set it up correctly.

Nick
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: Mic D on April 02, 2003, 08:56:41 AM
The Oade page also has great pictures of all kinds of different configurations. Look there too...... that's where I learned.  ;)

Kevin


http://www.oade.com/Tapers_Section/micsetup.html
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: greenone on April 02, 2003, 10:18:01 AM
Normally I run my mics about 24” apart and facing the same direction, straight ahead.  

If you run that way I think you'll basically get a mono recording because you're getting the same signal in both channels, minus some cancellation. The only time you want your mics spaced that far (or farther) is if you're running omnis. For your cards, I'd say the XY will definitely give better results. Maybe try XY for the opener and something else for Guster? DIN, ORTF, etc...experimenting is fun! ;D

I want to try and do a 90 degree XY setup and see how it sounds.  Not sure exactly the right way to position them.  Have two ideas in mind.  If you are looking straight down on my mics: the mic on the left is angled 45 degrees to the right and the right mic is angled 45 degrees to the left.  Or should it be that the left mic is angled to the left and vice versa for the right.

Basically, you want your left channel mic facing the left-hand speaker stack, so if you're running XY, the mic will be on the right-hand side, facing left. And vice versa for the right channel mic.

That said, Guster's new sound guy, Gordon, was really helpful to me last week and it looks like he wants tapers to get good tapes (as opposed to their last sound guy, who was a nice guy but could barely form a coherent sentence  ;) ). He'll probably help out if he's not too busy...

Wouldn't mind getting a copy of your pull if it comes out, Kevin - got plenty of Guster to trade including 4 or 5 shows at the end of the tour...

--Dave
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 02, 2003, 10:27:45 AM
Cool guys.  Thanks for the help.  I believe there are actually 2 opening bands so more experimenting I guess!

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: Craig T on April 02, 2003, 10:33:36 AM
If you run that way I think you'll basically get a mono recording because you're getting the same signal in both channels, minus some cancellation. The only time you want your mics spaced that far (or farther) is if you're running omnis.

Not true.  This is the "A-B" technique and will yeild a stereo image due to the timing differences caused by the spacing.  Sound originating from some point in space will arrive at the two mics at different times, when played back on a stereo system, your brain will use the timing difference to create a localization of the sound.  A-B can suffer from phase cancellation problems, though, and may not give you the best results.  You should try some of the other stereo micing techniques (x/y, ortf, nos, din) to see if they sound any better than the 24" spacing.

More great info on A-B and other stereo techniques at the DPA "Microphone Univ."
http://www.dpamicrophones.com/eng_pub/ (http://www.dpamicrophones.com/eng_pub/)

Craig T.
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 02, 2003, 10:37:19 AM
Thanks again for the help.  I think I am going to try 90 deg X-Y and NOS.

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: greenone on April 02, 2003, 10:41:22 AM
Aha, cool...I didn't know it worked/was used with the more directional mics. I've only ever heard people talk about spaced omnis, never spaced cards/hypers/shotguns because I would think it creates a "hole" in the middle of the soundstage.

For lack of a better setup, I was actually running spaced cards too when I taped...talk about a jury-rigged configuration - I got the Sabra-Som T-bar before I read any reviews of it, in anticipation of eventually getting shock mounts (and mics that would fit them). ;D So I used the thread adapters to clamp a 12" ruler across the T-bar and then clipped my AT853's to the end of them. Better than nothing, but worse than plenty...

Got my new toys now (Elation KM201's FINALLY got in the other day) so they'll get the trial by fire at Bela next week! w00t!

--Dave
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 02, 2003, 11:22:43 AM
A few of those say you need to be careful and pay attention to which way your diaphram is oriented.  How do you do this?

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: Craig T on April 02, 2003, 11:29:22 AM
A few of those say you need to be careful and pay attention to which way your diaphram is oriented.  How do you do this?
-Kevin


This illustration should help.

http://scc.uchicago.edu/instructionsdiaphraghm.htm#diaphragm (http://scc.uchicago.edu/instructionsdiaphraghm.htm#diaphragm)
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 02, 2003, 12:23:13 PM
 ;D

That is definately helpful information but not sure exactly how to apply it to this situation.  

 8)

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: greenone on April 02, 2003, 12:38:35 PM
Between that diaphragm orientation and the practice of waterproofing microphones with condoms, I'd say your gear would be well-protected against any STDs. ;)

--Dave
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: jpschust on April 02, 2003, 06:02:37 PM
ok that was just bad!
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: zhianosatch on April 02, 2003, 07:18:15 PM
What are you talking about, that was classic!
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 02, 2003, 07:22:00 PM
Now if somebody culd actually answer my question about the diaphrams before I have to leave for the show...

 8)

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: nickgregory on April 02, 2003, 08:31:20 PM
A few of those say you need to be careful and pay attention to which way your diaphram is oriented.  How do you do this?
-Kevin


This illustration should help.

http://scc.uchicago.edu/instructionsdiaphraghm.htm#diaphragm (http://scc.uchicago.edu/instructionsdiaphraghm.htm#diaphragm)

That is wrong on so many levels...
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 03, 2003, 12:37:32 AM
WRONG IS RIGHT!!!!!!!!!! ;D

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 03, 2003, 03:59:57 AM
Just got back from the show.  Tried XY90 for Maroon5 opener and NOS for Guster.  Listened to a little of both and think I like the XY better but both sound great.  Thanks for the tips guys.

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: ducati on April 03, 2003, 09:58:57 AM
Try DIN.  A tighter NOS...  90 degree angle, 20cm spacing between caps.  I tried it at the Guster show I taped and liked it...

I'm not a huge fan of XY, although I am told my M300's like it best so I am going to experiment with it this weekend.  I like a wider soundstage...  DIN gave that to me, without rolling off the highs too much as ORTF can do with some mics.
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 03, 2003, 03:47:30 PM
NOS seems to me(novice) to be the closest positioning to match the human ears as anything.  I like the way the XY sounded more but I'm not sure if it was just because the opener was a little harder.  I guess a better test would be to switch between XY and NOS during a band who does 2 sets.  Kinda comaring apples and oranges right now.  

Do you have a picture/link to the DIN config you mentioned?

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: schoeps t00bes on April 03, 2003, 04:25:06 PM
i would only use NOS outdoors...or up WAY close!  
dave
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: jpschust on April 03, 2003, 04:35:46 PM
i have an issue with trying to match the human ear with a microphone.  the human ear does not receive sound on a planar field like a microphone does.  we go through all sorts of crazy twists and turns to hear things.  even the binaural dummy doesnt really replicate what the human ear gets, so we need to compromise for what is best.
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 03, 2003, 04:50:55 PM
i would only use NOS outdoors...or up WAY close!  
dave

Can you explain why?  I don't doubt you just want to understand the principles so I can make my own decisions.

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: danmorgan on April 03, 2003, 05:04:00 PM
here you go
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 03, 2003, 05:12:17 PM
That is about how close together my mics were last night when I was running NOS.  Is the main difference just the distance?

-Kevin

Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: jpschust on April 03, 2003, 05:57:45 PM
yep :-)
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 03, 2003, 06:03:51 PM
So what makes the greater distance of the NOS config better for outdoors?  Your angles are not changing correct.

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 10, 2003, 09:14:24 PM
Still curious about my question above.

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 11, 2003, 02:04:55 PM
the wider the spacing, the more your timing is going to be off on your mics.....the time-delay creates a more STEREO image as opposed to running less spacing or XY.....the more you take them in, the more FOCUSED your sound is going to be cause the time-delay is not nearly as huge....i'm a little baked so i hope this helps!!! ;D

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: Kindguy on April 15, 2003, 12:22:01 AM
It just helped me  ;D

Thanks

Jeff
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 15, 2003, 12:27:28 AM
glad to help..... ;D lemme know your results....

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: blu666z on April 15, 2003, 12:27:37 AM
Yes it does...thanks. +T

-Kevin
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 27, 2003, 06:56:42 PM
what is the correct spacing supposed to be on an ORTF??? i ran a mod. ORTF the other nite and fell in lOVE w/ it...my spacing was about 3.5-4 inches...i HIGHLY suggest trying it...it was in a TINY club and it ROCKS...oh yeah and my angle was about 100-110 degrees...everything thing is PURE and CLEAn...

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: John R on April 27, 2003, 07:40:44 PM
bean, you like it, run with it.   just remember, the room config and distance may make variations necessary.

jr
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 27, 2003, 07:57:10 PM
it gave me a "tighter" more "focused" sound than running a "normal" ORTF or a DIN...it was def. what i was looking for in that room....you are dead on about the ditance tho...but i can read my roomz well finally after five years of recording... ;)

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 27, 2003, 07:59:08 PM
john,
  howz jazzfest and the audix goin so far...i want a pair of the 3.5" ones... ;D what are you running after them??? i would love to hear those little things... ;)

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: Brian Skalinder on April 27, 2003, 08:05:15 PM
what is the correct spacing supposed to be on an ORTF???

As John says, if you like it, use it.  To answer your question:  The standard config for ORTF is 17 cm (6.7"), 110º.  A more dteailed description of ORTF - as well as many other stereo techniques - can be found at the DPA Microphone University:

http://www.dpamicrophones.com (http://www.dpamicrophones.com)
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 27, 2003, 08:11:22 PM
thanks for the info brian... :D

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: John R on April 27, 2003, 09:53:49 PM
those weren't mine.  they were being r&d by the factory guy.  i of course offered to field test them ;),  i'll be up at adirondak, telluride 2x and pagosa at least this summer, so i should be able to give them a good workout if he's up for it.  would run them into the v3.  he was running them into an mp-2.

jr
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 27, 2003, 09:57:07 PM
john,
  what were you running???

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: ducati on April 27, 2003, 10:18:54 PM
ORTF shoudl be good for your mics, bean...  As mentioned, 7cm w/100-degrees between the caps.

I didn't like it with my M300's, rolled off the highs too much.  I can't run a full 7cm between the caps, either, because the gefell's are pretty short.

I think ORTF tends to sound better with brighter mics...
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: John R on April 27, 2003, 11:22:27 PM
john,
  what were you running???

bean

skm184>xstream>v3

jr
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 27, 2003, 11:29:15 PM
ORTF shoudl be good for your mics, bean...  As mentioned, 7cm w/100-degrees between the caps.

I didn't like it with my M300's, rolled off the highs too much.  I can't run a full 7cm between the caps, either, because the gefell's are pretty short.

I think ORTF tends to sound better with brighter mics...

i'll have to spin you those ORTF copyies of mine nate....

bean

john,
  i love my x-streams.....how bout you???

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: John R on April 28, 2003, 12:17:34 AM
yeah, me too.  somewhere else on the board there was talk about them absorbing noise.  i tested mine by flicking them with a sharpie, and no noise.

jr
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: Jason B on April 28, 2003, 11:20:09 AM
yeah, me too.  somewhere else on the board there was talk about them absorbing noise.  i tested mine by flicking them with a sharpie, and no noise.

jr

Are you sure they were meaning that kind of noise and not RF interferance?
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 28, 2003, 02:30:48 PM
actually guyz, i HAVE heard some audible noise w/ out shocks when i would flick them...i would believe that the shocks have sumpthing to do w/ that...i dunno ???

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: ducati on April 28, 2003, 02:38:53 PM
So thats where the Sabras came into play

 ;)
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 28, 2003, 02:46:32 PM
yeah, i guess those pieces of shit aren't THAT bad afterall.... ;)

bean

p.s.-who's got a shure vert bar and some at8410's they wanna sell???
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: ducati on April 28, 2003, 02:50:01 PM
LOL

I sure like my vert bar/8410a's  ;)

Although it's a little harder to eyeball, you might have to check your config more than the 10000 times you already do ;)

Just ribbin ya, man, can't wait to see the Wu
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 28, 2003, 02:53:19 PM
i know you are....its that ONE show occassionally that i cant leave that crap be.... :D

if i had trim knobs like, say, a v3, then there wouldn't be a problem ;D

yeah, i got moe comin up in a week too.....

bean
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: ducati on April 28, 2003, 02:55:57 PM
Trimming doesn't work quite the same as getting your mics in the right position!  You're right to double-check :D

yeah, that moe./mmw show would be sick.

I'm all set for HigherGround, BTW, can't wait!!
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 28, 2003, 03:00:59 PM
SUITE man....i dont have tix for higher ground.....i SHOULD get one just in case, cause i haven't talked to lisa much, but VIP should still be golden.....hopefully....

yeah moe./mmw is gonna be SICK....hopefully taping is a go... 8)
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: John R on April 28, 2003, 03:41:36 PM
yeah, me too.  somewhere else on the board there was talk about them absorbing noise.  i tested mine by flicking them with a sharpie, and no noise.

jr

Are you sure they were meaning that kind of noise and not RF interferance?

no, there was a thread early last month about stands absorbing noise and developed into xsteams absorbing noise if they're tapped or bumped.  mine did not when i rigorously tapped them.

jr
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: Tim on April 28, 2003, 06:49:19 PM
p.s.-who's got a shure vert bar and some at8410's they wanna sell???

I can sell you my 8410's... I don't use them, just the LD's or the actives. Shoot me a line... they were bought in fall of 99 and are in really good shape. I could take a trade for some blank tapes or cash... whatever.
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: danmorgan on April 28, 2003, 06:53:20 PM
Bean, you should nab those ATs off of Tim. ;)
Title: Re:Want to try XY setup.
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 28, 2003, 11:14:30 PM
tim,
  do those have the clamps or what??? how are the mics suspended?? is it the at8410a's or at8410's that have the clamp mount??? either way, i'm interested... ;)

bean