Topic: Cardioid mic configuration

[tms]

For outdoor recording where the loudspeakers are a good 100 yards away, how should I configure my cardioid microphones? 

What happens if I just point the mics at the speakers?  Will the sound of the recording be adversely affected if they are not configured in an XY, ORTF or come other configuration? 

How will the recording differ from a properly configured pair of cardioid mics?

Basically what happened is I bought a pair of miniature cardioid mics and a battery box from SP, recorded at a music festival, and am trying to figure out why it sounds like I'm listening to a normal recording through paper towel tubes.

Sorry if this is a repeated topic, but after noodling around in here for a few days I still haven't found an answer.  I see the mic config pages but don't see any explanation of what happens if you don't config properly.

On a related topic, how bad would a recording made in mono sound compared to the same one in stereo?  The reason is because I have a single Nak CM300 and would consider using it instead of the SP cardioids if it sounds better.  It has the cardioid element in it.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer,
Todd in Buffalo

[Weazel]

you used it without windscreens? and go line in, no bass roll off?

[cleantone]

and am trying to figure out why it sounds like I'm listening to a normal recording through paper towel tubes.

How did it sound were you put your mics? I personally run ORTF in almost all instances. I think the mic diaphrams need to be aligned correctly to capture the phase properly. Were doing binaural recording so you can only capture what is happening at a given location at that exact time. So you want to fine a good sounding place to put your rig when possable.

Have you made other recording with this rig that do not sound like a paper towel tube?

[bagtagsell]

How far apart were the mics?

[tms]

you used it without windscreens? and go line in, no bass roll off?

I cut up a fleece blanket to gerryrig two windscreens because the wind was occasionally kicking up.
It went mics, battery box w/o bass roll off, line-in on portable MD

[tms]

How far apart were the mics?

They were about 6 inches apart pointing at the speakers.

[tms]

and am trying to figure out why it sounds like I'm listening to a normal recording through paper towel tubes.

How did it sound were you put your mics? I personally run ORTF in almost all instances. I think the mic diaphrams need to be aligned correctly to capture the phase properly. Were doing binaural recording so you can only capture what is happening at a given location at that exact time. So you want to fine a good sounding place to put your rig when possable.

Have you made other recording with this rig that do not sound like a paper towel tube?

It sounded great, I was right in front of the sound booth.  What is the effect of not configuring the mics properly? Could it have cause the problem?

I'll have to get back to you about the other recording, the only other time it was used was for a bela fleck concert that a friend taped.

[tms]

you used it without windscreens? and go line in, no bass roll off?

I cut up a fleece blanket to gerryrig two windscreens because the wind was occasionally kicking up.
It went mics, battery box w/o bass roll off, line-in on portable MD

bling!! we have a winner.
the blanket windscreens did you in.

D'oh! Ok I'll check the tapes I made w/o the homemade windscreens.  I have a couple to compare the rest to.

What windscreens would you recommend?  They are about 3/8" diameter.

The battery box does have bass roll off, can that be used to prevent wind noise?

[bagtagsell]

I used the sound professional ones when I had similar mics

[The Kilted Taper]

The reason is because I have a single Nak CM300 and would consider using it instead of the SP cardioids if it sounds better.  It has the cardioid element in it.

I've got an extra CM300 to sell if your interested.

[tms]

The reason is because I have a single Nak CM300 and would consider using it instead of the SP cardioids if it sounds better.  It has the cardioid element in it.

I've got an extra CM300 to sell if your interested.

Is the general consensus that a pair of Nak CM300 mics will sound better than a pair of miniature cardioids from SP?  They are not AT853 mics, they are what SP calls 'deluxe cardioid' elements, the pair cost me ~$100. Same mics as this only mounted in a flexible gooseneck: http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-CMC-20&type=store

If a pair of Nak CM300 is better I would be interested. Can you email me with details?