Topic: Sub-cardioid question

[Zaphod]

Well I'm not sure if it was me or the caps, but I really flubbed on this one.

I was 30 ft from the stage right of center. I set up the caps in DIN configuration. I didn't think much about the right cap pointing mostly at the wall. It was a very quiet acoustic show and I had to punch the levels on my AD20 to get anything.

My initial thoughts were that these caps would sound more like omnis, but that I could still run them in a card config. Well listening to the recording the left channel (which was aimed at the left stack) is WAY louder than the right, like 10-15dBs. Is this because I should have run them like split omnis, or is there maybe just something wrong with one of the caps? I still need to test them out to make sure the caps are both working like they should.

Unfortuantely I cannot post a sample, but am looking to get any insight. Thanks.

[Brian]

well you said the other cap was pointed at the wall, correct?  there could have been some wierd reflections causing cancellation in a lot of frequncies, but that's a long shot. 10-15dB is pretty drastic.

what gear are you running besides the ad20?  it's possible that a cap is messed up but do some AB testing first with some music at home or your own voice.  But there could also be something wrong with your phantom power supply or an input on the ad20.  test all that stuff and see what happens.  hopefully everything is alright and you were just in a weird spot in the venue.

[Tim]

What Brian said.

In general I wouldn't recommend running subcards much narrower than NOS... 30cm. They need significant spacing to keep the soundtsgae from collapsing onto itself and sounding very mono.

[Zaphod]

Running AT853 sub-card>PS2>AD20>Sharp DR7 I know, I know, but I'm broke and don't have a computer or JB3!

I probably should've researched configs before just assuming DIN would work, I leaning toward that being the problem. Operator error! Though I will double check to make sure both caps are alright.

Anyone else, please feel free to chime in with sub-card recommendations.

[Craig T]

When I had subs, I found NOS worked best since they are almost omnis they need the extra spacing.

Since you used the narrower DIN spacing, it seems very unusual that the channels would be 10-15 db off.  I think something was malfunctioning.  I'd look at the mics/capsules first.

[JAH]

What Brian said.

In general I wouldn't recommend running subcards much narrower than NOS... 30cm. They need significant spacing to keep the soundtsgae from collapsing onto itself and sounding very mono.

Ever heard any of Jim Madry's tapes????He runs the Neumann subs and has them in the standard Neumann ortf holder.  I think they sound good...Wouldn't doubt that the NOS could be better, but never heard any sound stage collaping from the ortf means.  I bet therer was something else going on w/ Zaphod.


peace
jah

[Tim]

I have not heard Jim's tapes. This is based on a few years experience using mk21's, ak43's, and u89s. The polar pattern is basically omni directional, I've found that tapes sound almost mono when run under 30cm or so. Look at a chart of teh pattern sometime...

I'm sure it can sound fine but I've found that it sounds much better when run wide.

[Craig T]

Jims typically in the sweet spot, a big reason his recordings sound so good.  His recordings might sound even better with a wider spacing.

[JAH]

Jims typically in the sweet spot, a big reason his recordings sound so good.  His recordings might sound even better with a wider spacing.

agree.