Topic: Symphony sound reinforcement

[johnw]

I don't get to the symphony often, but recently checked out the local group and noticed they suspend large diaphragm mics overhead instead of the small diaphragm ones I have seen with other groups/locations. I tried to grab a picture, but it didn't come out well on my phone. However it looks like they use 2 Neumann U87s angled down on the sides and what appears to be a Soundfield ST350 suspended in the middle. Furthur out in the audience they hang a single SD condenser (maybe a Schoeps CCM2). I tried to ask what they were using and how, but nobody had any clue. I guess I could see using the Neumanns but the Soundfield seemed like a particular odd choice.

[DSatz]

When microphones are suspended from the ceiling of a hall, it can be extremely difficult and even dangerous to adjust their positioning or to swap different ones in and out. So it makes some sense to use a microphone with characteristics that can be adjusted from a remote location, and the SoundField is about as adjustable as it gets.

A SoundField recording may never sound quite as good as the ideal combination of two top-quality microphones. But in this type of situation, you would probably have no opportunity to find out what that ideal combination would be.

--best regards