Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U  (Read 5566 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« on: August 19, 2021, 08:16:34 AM »
I’m petty new to open taping, but I used my AT U853s earlier this summer, and I was pleased with the results. The rig down in my signature is the one you all helped me put together when I got into this. For stealth it’s unbeatable with my disguise. But I’m wondering what I should be thinking about as far as an upgrade in open scenarios when mic size isn’t a concern.

This photo shows how I was set up. I have another 1/4” ball mount on the super clamp to which I mount the A10. I have the mic battery velcroed to the A10. I love how compact the setup is, and I’d like to retain that compactness, and I’d like to keep using the A10. And if I have to, I can clamp that whole thing to a lighting tripod.

I’ll be set up in DIN/ORTF when I can get DFC, otherwise I’ll go XY at 110 degrees PAS. Oh, I’m not looking to break the bank but I could see going up to the $750 range for a mic and power combo that’ll serve me well in open scenarios for while.

Thanks all!
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline beatkilla

  • Trade Count: (70)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2104
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2021, 09:58:45 AM »
What do you hope to gain by using different mics?

If it aint broke don't fix it.

Honestly upgrading from AT853's probably would be to Schoeps or AKG(can you even buy them new anymore,i don't think so.)

Schoeps MK4(41) Nbob actives,Nbox

Thats alot more than your budget though.


Offline pillowman

  • Trade Count: (15)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 618
    • www.openingtime.lima-city.de
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2021, 02:56:17 PM »
maybe some Line Audios CM3's or CM4's plus a Denecke PS2  :shrug:
thats what I am running currently and I am coming from the same route ...
RECORDERS: Sony PCM-A10 / 3x Sony PCM-M10 / TASCAM DR-2d / Sony NH 600 / Sharp MD-MT180(H) / Sony MZ-R35
MICS: LINE AUDIO CM3, AT853c, ATU853c, hc  (4.7k mod) / Sony ECM-717 / 3x Sennheiser ME104
BBox's: Denecke PS-2 / SP-SPSB-9 / SP-SPSB-10 / SP-SPSB-20 / Soundman A3

trading page: www.openingtime.lima-city.de

Offline opsopcopolis

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2144
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2021, 03:22:57 PM »
If you're thinking of moving up to mics with XLRs it might be cheaper/easier in the long run to just get a deck with built in phantom as opposed to buying a power supply/preamp. You can definitely find some good mics in that range (I still love my CM33s, although they're hard to find these days.) If you're patient you could probably find a pair of Telefunken M60s in the $750 range

Offline daspyknows

  • Complaint Dept.
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 9636
  • Gender: Male
  • Don't ask, don't tell, don't get get caught
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2021, 11:16:44 PM »
What you upgrade to is more about what you tape (no security to high security venues) would likely result in different rigs and budget.  If the money is there I would recommend my rig (Schoeps MK4/41, actives, NBox/BabyNBox).

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2021, 07:53:11 PM »
What do you hope to gain by using different mics?

If it aint broke don't fix it.

Honestly upgrading from AT853's probably would be to Schoeps or AKG(can you even buy them new anymore,i don't think so.)

Schoeps MK4(41) Nbob actives,Nbox

Thats alot more than your budget though.

So I’m not trying to be sarcastic here but I’m hoping for the sound to be … better? But I would consider it to be great news if what I’m using is second best to Schoeps MK4/41s. I haven’t personally used many mics but my thought was part of what I’m paying for with the lavalier form factor is the size itself and I was free from that constraint I may be able to do a lot better in terms of sound quality if I was to, say, double or triple my mic budget.
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2021, 07:55:31 PM »
If you're thinking of moving up to mics with XLRs it might be cheaper/easier in the long run to just get a deck with built in phantom as opposed to buying a power supply/preamp.

This is an interesting thought and something I hadn’t considered. Do you have one in mind?
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2021, 07:57:30 PM »
What you upgrade to is more about what you tape (no security to high security venues) would likely result in different rigs and budget.  If the money is there I would recommend my rig (Schoeps MK4/41, actives, NBox/BabyNBox).

Agreed. My idea is to build a rig specifically for open taping, clubs to small theaters, that’s still compact.
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline Humbug

  • Trade Count: (5)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2161
  • Gender: Male
  • Humbug Hum Rejection Unit
    • Trading site
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2021, 05:03:20 AM »
Another vote for a move from AT853 to Schoeps, which I did last year.

Recordings are 10-20% 'better' in my incredibly unsubjective comparison between running AT853s at the same location as the MK4 mics. If you like the way AT853s sound, you'll like Schoeps also.

Was it worth it? Yes, even though it cost around $3000 to buy new to my exact specifications, I had the cash.
UK based taper: MK4>Nbox Platinum>PCM-M10
AT853C>CA9200 / PIPsqueak>Tascam DR-2D

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Humbug66

Offline opsopcopolis

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2144
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2021, 10:28:49 AM »
If you're thinking of moving up to mics with XLRs it might be cheaper/easier in the long run to just get a deck with built in phantom as opposed to buying a power supply/preamp.

This is an interesting thought and something I hadn’t considered. Do you have one in mind?

The whole tascam line (dr40/60) is pretty affordable and more flexible than two pres into a A10 would be. They’re not stealth gear though, so really only if you’re looking for an open rig.

Also, just remember than “better” is subjective. I’m personally not really a fan of schoeps for live recording and the law of diminishing returns applies even more so to live music taping than the intended use of high end mics

Offline daspyknows

  • Complaint Dept.
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 9636
  • Gender: Male
  • Don't ask, don't tell, don't get get caught
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2021, 03:09:04 PM »
Another vote for a move from AT853 to Schoeps, which I did last year.

Recordings are 10-20% 'better' in my incredibly unsubjective comparison between running AT853s at the same location as the MK4 mics. If you like the way AT853s sound, you'll like Schoeps also.

Was it worth it? Yes, even though it cost around $3000 to buy new to my exact specifications, I had the cash.

Happy to say I helped with the decision.   :cheers:

Offline aaronji

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 3861
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2021, 07:27:15 PM »
Agreed. My idea is to build a rig specifically for open taping, clubs to small theaters, that’s still compact.

For most shows I attend, I take trains plus walking/buses/trams as needed, so I really emphasized compactness as I built my open taping set-up. I recognize that this is way above your price range, but "buy once, cry once" as the old saying goes.

I have the DPA compact bodies (MMP-C) with a couple of pairs of caps into a Sound Devices MixPre-6 (although I actually have the first version). I put the mics and clips in a small Pelican box and fit that plus the recorder, cables, and batteries (and a bunch of other small things) in a Petrol PS607 (now Sachtler SN607). A second bag for the stand or clamp and bar. You can get it a little smaller, I suppose, but not a whole lot and this has the advantage of being all gear from major companies. Not that there is anything wrong with a one-man operation, but if I need service on my Aerco, it will take much longer than if I need a repair on something from SD or DPA. If you prefer the Schoeps sound, they have recently introduced similar compact bodies (and they have a great range of caps). Line Audios, as mentioned above, are also in that size range. Lots of other options, too...

Offline voltronic

  • Trade Count: (40)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4104
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2021, 01:46:55 PM »
First (and I can't believe no one else mentioned this) PLEASE buy yourself a couple of steel safety cables, and use them whenever you are clamping onto something. Not only will it save your gear if something lets go, it will save people below from potentially serious injury. Looking at your picture, there is a very small surface area of those SuperClamp jaws gripping the bar clamp. One decent knock, and the whole thing is coming down.

While I'm on safety, I would get extension cables for your mics so that your other gear can stay in a bag. Speaking of which, I have used this bag for several years, and it has been great.

I say keep your 853s. I agree with opsopscopolis that going to state-of-the-art pro mics such as Schoeps are DPA is a case of diminishing returns for recording any sort of amplified show. I have used those mics before for what I do (choir, orchestra, other acoustic ensembles) and they absolutely make a difference when used in those situations, provided that the rest of your chain has sufficiently high resolution and low noise that those benefits can be realized. I am not criticizing anyone here who owns these mics or runs them with amplified concerts; if you can afford the very best, why not? I am just saying that for what you are recording, I doubt you could reliably pick the more expensive mics in a blind ABX test.

Side note: I am a huge proponent of the Line Audio mics pillowman recommends, but I would caution against using them if your mics will ever be within a few feet of a wall or a ceiling such as shown in your picture. They are subcardioid (halfway between cardioid and omni) and pick up quite strongly from the sides. I found this out the hard way recording vocal tracks in my basement with a CM3 boomed overhead. There were all kinds of early reflections from my untreated ceiling in the recording. These mics also need to be spaced wider than cardioids for proper imaging, so your rig will take up a wider space.

The upgrade I would recommend is a new deck with XLR inputs and high-quality preamps (again, +1 to opsopscopilis). This will eliminate a box from your rig now, and allow you to use full-size mics down the road. The Tascam DR-100 mkIII is IMO the best 2-input deck out there. It is discontinued, but new units are still in stock at Amazon and a few other places.
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #13 on: August 24, 2021, 02:42:07 PM »
First (and I can't believe no one else mentioned this) PLEASE buy yourself a couple of steel safety cables, and use them whenever you are clamping onto something. Not only will it save your gear if something lets go, it will save people below from potentially serious injury. Looking at your picture, there is a very small surface area of those SuperClamp jaws gripping the bar clamp. One decent knock, and the whole thing is coming down.

While I'm on safety, I would get extension cables for your mics so that your other gear can stay in a bag. Speaking of which, I have used this bag for several years, and it has been great.

I say keep your 853s. I agree with opsopscopolis that going to state-of-the-art pro mics such as Schoeps are DPA is a case of diminishing returns for recording any sort of amplified show. I have used those mics before for what I do (choir, orchestra, other acoustic ensembles) and they absolutely make a difference when used in those situations, provided that the rest of your chain has sufficiently high resolution and low noise that those benefits can be realized. I am not criticizing anyone here who owns these mics or runs them with amplified concerts; if you can afford the very best, why not? I am just saying that for what you are recording, I doubt you could reliably pick the more expensive mics in a blind ABX test.

Side note: I am a huge proponent of the Line Audio mics pillowman recommends, but I would caution against using them if your mics will ever be within a few feet of a wall or a ceiling such as shown in your picture. They are subcardioid (halfway between cardioid and omni) and pick up quite strongly from the sides. I found this out the hard way recording vocal tracks in my basement with a CM3 boomed overhead. There were all kinds of early reflections from my untreated ceiling in the recording. These mics also need to be spaced wider than cardioids for proper imaging, so your rig will take up a wider space.

The upgrade I would recommend is a new deck with XLR inputs and high-quality preamps (again, +1 to opsopscopilis). This will eliminate a box from your rig now, and allow you to use full-size mics down the road. The Tascam DR-100 mkIII is IMO the best 2-input deck out there. It is discontinued, but new units are still in stock at Amazon and a few other places.

Thanks for this. I just ordered some of those safety cables. Good call on that. I have gone on to order a couple CM4s and I like the idea of the DR-100. The main thing I love about the A10 besides the size is the remote control app, but then again if I'm taping open and have enough cabling it shouldn't be an issue. I think this is the way to go. Thanks!
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2021, 03:32:15 PM »
Folks, I think we are sorted. My compact open rig consists of: 2 Line Audio CM4s and 1 Tascam DR-100MKiii. Thanks so much for all your help, I think this rig will serve me quite well. Hope to take it for a spin later in September, pending arrival of the CM4s.
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #15 on: August 24, 2021, 03:48:15 PM »
Side note: I am a huge proponent of the Line Audio mics pillowman recommends, but I would caution against using them if your mics will ever be within a few feet of a wall or a ceiling such as shown in your picture. They are subcardioid (halfway between cardioid and omni) and pick up quite strongly from the sides. I found this out the hard way recording vocal tracks in my basement with a CM3 boomed overhead. There were all kinds of early reflections from my untreated ceiling in the recording. These mics also need to be spaced wider than cardioids for proper imaging, so your rig will take up a wider space.

My understanding of the CM4s is that they aren't true subcardioids. The product description calls them "slightly wide". I'm not presently equipped to go any wider than DIN/ORTF...
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline aaronji

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 3861
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #16 on: August 24, 2021, 03:57:44 PM »
Make sure to engage the pad on the Tascam if you are recording loud rock concerts!

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15700
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #17 on: August 24, 2021, 05:41:15 PM »
Congratulations! The upgrade path you've chosen by way of this thread is a good and logical one based on what and how you are recording.

My comments below are based on the following posts-

I’ll be set up in DIN/ORTF when I can get DFC, otherwise I’ll go XY at 110 degrees PAS.

My understanding of the CM4s is that they aren't true subcardioids. The product description calls them "slightly wide". I'm not presently equipped to go any wider than DIN/ORTF...

The most important part of the gear chain is the microphones, but the most important aspect of the entire recording endeavor is your recording location, and along with that the microphone configuration used, which dances hand-in-hand with recording location.  My suggestion is to put thought into those things, as small improvements here can produce significant improvements in the quality of the recordings with little to no additional monetary cost.

You may or may not be able to improve your recording locations.  Even though this is the most important variable of them all, it is often constrained by practicality, permission, venue, and social constraints.  But think creatively about it, because of all the variables over which we exercise some degree of control, this one has the most potential for making superior recordings.

In contrast, we have a significant control over microphone configuration, and can relatively easily adapt that to best suit the recording location.  For this reason I suggest a mic bar that allows you to adjust the spacing between the microphones as well as adjustment of the angle between them.  The solution might be two adjustable mic-bars: one wide, one narrow, or a handful of 3-printed ones that you can choose between, as those tend to be non-adjustable.

So then, what stereo microphone configuration to use for what location?  You will do well to try the Improved Point At Stacks technique, which automatically reconfigures a stereo microphone pair arrangement based on the geometry of the recording location, optimizing for both clean direct-sound pickup and good stereo imaging.  It's relatively simple to implement in practice- stake out the best recording location you can manage and point the mics at the PA stacks, measure the angle between the microphones, and consult a little table to determine the spacing to use between them.

The technique aims to get the clearest sound possible from the PA and stage, which can be especially helpful indoors and in rooms that are less than ideal, and will keep those somewhat wider-pickup pattern microphones focused on the sound of interest arriving from the front.  The essence of the technique is this: As the recording position is shifted farther away from the stage and PA, the angle between microphones becomes narrower, and as that angle becomes narrower the spacing between microphones should be made wider to compensate.  This is likely to require a wider mic-bar than you currently have for many scenarios, and when recording from a significant distance the spacing becomes rather large. 

Even if not following it's recommendations exactly, it remains a good general rule of thumb for improved recordings.

You can find more information on what, why, how to measure the angle, as well as the tables below in this thread: https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=167549.msg2087409#msg2087409

Here is a simple example of the table:


And here's a more detailed one:




« Last Edit: August 26, 2021, 01:15:56 PM by Gutbucket »
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #18 on: August 24, 2021, 10:55:45 PM »
Hey Gutbucket, thanks so much for that reply. I’ve seen your improved PAS technique but just now I sat down and finally took the time to understand it. I get it now.

I’d love to have the kind of mic bar you mentioned but I haven’t been able to find one - at least a sub $100 one. I guess I’d want one with rulers for distance and protractors for angle.
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline pillowman

  • Trade Count: (15)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 618
    • www.openingtime.lima-city.de
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #19 on: August 25, 2021, 01:23:41 AM »
If someone is intetessted into some Line Audio CM3 Samples I've recorded some concerts
Over the last weekend with

PCM-M10 > Denecke PS2>2x CM3s

Or

PCM-A10>Denecke PS2>2x CM3s

Just let me know,
Pillowman
RECORDERS: Sony PCM-A10 / 3x Sony PCM-M10 / TASCAM DR-2d / Sony NH 600 / Sharp MD-MT180(H) / Sony MZ-R35
MICS: LINE AUDIO CM3, AT853c, ATU853c, hc  (4.7k mod) / Sony ECM-717 / 3x Sennheiser ME104
BBox's: Denecke PS-2 / SP-SPSB-9 / SP-SPSB-10 / SP-SPSB-20 / Soundman A3

trading page: www.openingtime.lima-city.de

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15700
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #20 on: August 25, 2021, 09:56:46 AM »
Hey Gutbucket, thanks so much for that reply. I’ve seen your improved PAS technique but just now I sat down and finally took the time to understand it. I get it now.

I’d love to have the kind of mic bar you mentioned but I haven’t been able to find one - at least a sub $100 one. I guess I’d want one with rulers for distance and protractors for angle.

I don't find that necessary. I estimate the angle of the PA and stage by squinting at my balled fist held at arms length - which covers right around 10° of  arc - adding up how many fists it takes to span the apparent space between the PA speakers as viewed from the recording position, then pull out a cheapo tiny dollar store tape measure.   If you practice a few times by measuring some known angle with the fist method, you'll find you can get pretty close.

Attached are the result of a web search for "mic bar" I just made which returns a bunch of relatively inexpensive articulating bars which provide adjustable spacing.  With some of these you slide the microphone attachment points along the bar, with others the attachment point slide in slots, but with the simplest ones you simply angle the two arms out toward either side to go wider, more forward (or back) to shift closer, and in some cases angle them inward for close spacing.  One advantage of that type of bar is that there is less bar extending out wider than the microphones.  One disadvantage is that type of bar typically doesn't go as wide as some of the "slide mounts along a fixed bar" types.  The ones with the slots that are not very wide overall don't provide enough width adjustability to be useful for this IMO. 

Consider the first or last in the list below - the folding ones with four mic-mounting points - not because of the extra attachment points at the hinges, but because the outer attachment points are able to span a much greater range of widths, from near-coincident with them angled inward to relatively wide with them angled outward in-line with each other.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline aaronji

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 3861
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #21 on: August 25, 2021, 09:59:38 AM »
I’d love to have the kind of mic bar you mentioned but I haven’t been able to find one - at least a sub $100 one. I guess I’d want one with rulers for distance and protractors for angle.

Maybe try one of the basic AB bars. Marked every centimeter and 5 centimeters and well made. The price listed is over $100, but nowhere near as expensive as something like a SpaceBar. Those prices probably also include VAT, which, if you're not in the EU, you won't have to pay. Robert is a nice guy, so you might contact him and see what he says.

I have been using one for about 4 or 5 years now and I am quite pleased with it. Angle markings would be nice, but I can live without them.

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #22 on: August 25, 2021, 10:30:32 AM »
I don't find that necessary. I estimate the angle of the PA and stage by squinting at my balled fist held at arms length - which covers right around 10° of  arc - adding up how many fists it takes to span the apparent space between the PA speakers as viewed from the recording position, then pull out a cheapo tiny dollar store tape measure.   If you practice a few times by measuring some known angle with the fist method, you'll find you can get pretty close.

Got it. I tested out your balled fist method last night. I finally understand it. So for the angle of the mics, you are literally pointing the right mic at the right stack and pointing the left mic at the left stack? With this it makes perfect sense why almost any mic bar would work (though I'll go for a long one). I can't wait to try this out.
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #23 on: August 25, 2021, 10:34:52 AM »
I’d love to have the kind of mic bar you mentioned but I haven’t been able to find one - at least a sub $100 one. I guess I’d want one with rulers for distance and protractors for angle.

Maybe try one of the basic AB bars. Marked every centimeter and 5 centimeters and well made. The price listed is over $100, but nowhere near as expensive as something like a SpaceBar. Those prices probably also include VAT, which, if you're not in the EU, you won't have to pay. Robert is a nice guy, so you might contact him and see what he says.

I have been using one for about 4 or 5 years now and I am quite pleased with it. Angle markings would be nice, but I can live without them.

I have passable-to-decent 3D design skills. This seems like the kind of problem that could be solved inexpensively with a 3D printer. Perhaps we can chat privately about the features that something like this could have. I'd be happy to to share the design with you all.
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15700
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #24 on: August 25, 2021, 12:16:17 PM »
Got it. I tested out your balled fist method last night. I finally understand it. So for the angle of the mics, you are literally pointing the right mic at the right stack and pointing the left mic at the left stack? With this it makes perfect sense why almost any mic bar would work (though I'll go for a long one). I can't wait to try this out.

Yep.  Pointing the mics right at the PA is the easiest part, and it is that arrangement which maximizes direct-sound pickup in comparison to pickup of reverberant sound and reflections, providing as much clarity as possible from that particular recording location.  In practice it often makes sense to point at the outside edge or just outside of either PA stack if the angle is relatively narrow, making the most of whatever intensity difference there is between the two.  You'll develop a preference for what you find works best in the places you record, and remember- directional mics aren't directional in the same way as laser beams - its more a general trend of sensitivity falling off for sound arriving from directions other than on-axis to each microphone.  Adjusting the spacing based around whatever you determine to be the appropriate angle is the "dialing everything in" optimization part of the process.

Even if you don't have a bar that allows you to set the optimal spacing, or choose to run some other configuration for whatever reason, it's still helpful and informative to go through the routine of measuring the apparent angle between stacks and figuring out what the optimal PAS spacing would be for the microphone pickup pattern you are using, because by doing that you'll develop a gut-feel for the optimal angle/spacing relationship using that pattern.  In that way, you'll also develop a feel for how alternate setup arrangements might sound in comparison.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline voltronic

  • Trade Count: (40)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4104
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #25 on: August 25, 2021, 08:38:28 PM »
Folks, I think we are sorted. My compact open rig consists of: 2 Line Audio CM4s and 1 Tascam DR-100MKiii. Thanks so much for all your help, I think this rig will serve me quite well. Hope to take it for a spin later in September, pending arrival of the CM4s.

Excellent. You won't need to upgrade that for a LONG time. Check out Team Line Audio (link in my signature) for an idea of what they can do. Here are some things I have recorded with the CM3 (CM4 is almost identical).

Just watch out for those close wall / ceiling early reflections.
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

Offline voltronic

  • Trade Count: (40)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4104
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #26 on: August 25, 2021, 08:46:31 PM »
Side note: I am a huge proponent of the Line Audio mics pillowman recommends, but I would caution against using them if your mics will ever be within a few feet of a wall or a ceiling such as shown in your picture. They are subcardioid (halfway between cardioid and omni) and pick up quite strongly from the sides. I found this out the hard way recording vocal tracks in my basement with a CM3 boomed overhead. There were all kinds of early reflections from my untreated ceiling in the recording. These mics also need to be spaced wider than cardioids for proper imaging, so your rig will take up a wider space.

My understanding of the CM4s is that they aren't true subcardioids. The product description calls them "slightly wide". I'm not presently equipped to go any wider than DIN/ORTF...

Comparing the polar responses, yes the CM4 does appear to be more toward cardioid than the CM3.

The proof is in the listening, though. Follow posts from Hendricks on this thread to hear proper listening comparisons between the two.
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

Offline vantheman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 209
  • Gender: Male
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #27 on: August 26, 2021, 07:49:27 AM »
Comparing the polar responses, yes the CM4 does appear to be more toward cardioid than the CM3.

The proof is in the listening, though. Follow posts from Hendricks on this thread to hear proper listening comparisons between the two.

Would you avoid using these in DIN or ORTF? Thanks for the links too, I’ll listen to those when I get on my laptop later.
AT U853A (SP-CMC-4U) > SP-SPSB-10 12V > Sony A10
Line Audio CM4/OM1> Sound Devices MixPre6ii or Tascam DR100 mkiii

Offline wforwumbo

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 186
Re: Logical Upgrade from SP-CMC-4U
« Reply #28 on: August 26, 2021, 12:24:35 PM »
Just want to pipe in seconding everything that Gutbucket says. Most important things to making a “better” recording are location, and deploying the microphones you have correctly based on experience and intuition. Better microphones can increase the floor and ceiling of recordings you make, but the wrong mics in the wrong configuration in the wrong spot will produce a recording near the floor of your capacity.

I’d suggest trying your mics in ORTF/DIN to see if you like the recordings made in those formats. They become data points, and you can decide then if you prefer that, or another layout. I don’t enjoy the sound of cardioids or subcards in ORTF when taping live amplified rock music, but that’s my ears and that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Additionally, if I’m recording an orchestra from over the conductor’s head then ORTF can sound sublime. All this to say, location and deploying the gear in a way that satisfies you is what will make a better recording; learn to identify what it is that you don’t enjoy about your recordings, ask questions and theorize, and continue to adjust your rig and methods over time until you’re happy.

For what it’s worth, I am about halfway between the traditional methods (ORTF/DIN/etc) and PAS theory. I generally prefer my Schoeps in 25-35 cm in varying angles as well as coincident mid-side, and what I use when and where is dependent on where I am as well as what I’m recording. I think the PAS stereo zoom curves are a good starting point, but I prefer using my ears to guide things to generally be more reliant on time difference cues and less on level cues.

“The point of a journey, is not to arrive.” ~Neil Peart

North Jersey native, Upstate veteran, proud Texan

2x Schoeps mk2; 2x Schoeps mk21; 2x Schoeps mk4

4x Schoeps cmc5; 4x Schoeps KC5; Nbob KCY; Naiant PFA

EAA PSP-2

Sound Devices Mixpre-6

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.155 seconds with 53 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF