Since I have a certain connection with one of the microphone manufacturers, I generally maintain a policy of not criticizing other microphones, but I hope I can be fair enough if I say something here.
According to Ambient's Web site, this microphone was designed for dialogue recording, and if you look at its frequency response you can see a distinct low-frequency rolloff that starts higher than most people would probably want for music recording.
A low-frequency rolloff for the "S" microphone in an M/S pair causes the stereo separation at lower frequencies to be reduced correspondingly. Now, the biggest problem with most coincident stereo recording methods such as M/S is their lack of perceived spaciousness--a quality which depends critically on the pickup of difference information at low frequencies. So this rolloff, while it makes great sense for dialog and effects recording, is the opposite of what would normally be desired for music recording.
If a microphone has a highly consistent polar pattern--maintained well across the audio frequency spectrum--then equalization becomes a serious option to remedy any shortcomings in its frequency response. The figure-8s that I use also have a low-frequency rolloff--since the physics of this type of condenser microphone dictates one--and I use equalization when decoding most M/S recordings that I make in large recording spaces such as churches or concert halls. One well-known manufacturer of condenser figure-8s actually builds such equalization directly into their microphones, and I would not say that their idea is wrong by any means.
At high and upper-mid frequencies, the polar patterns of this microphone do not appear to be as consistent as one might want for music recording, but at low frequencies they are quite consistent so the bass boost trick might work well. Its signal-to-noise ratio is not the greatest, but for its intended purpose (dialog and effects recording) the microphone looks as if it might be a decent bargain for all I know. If I had built this microphone, I would feel that it was quite an accomplishment if I plugged it in and signals came out of it, so I want to be respectful of people who really can do that.
Moral of the story: It is very difficult to make high-quality microphones on the pressure-gradient end of the spectrum (supercardioid, hypercardioid or figure-8), and what you can get for a reduced price generally doesn't bring you as close to the best as it might on the pressure (omni) end of the spectrum.
The opinions expressed here are my own (on a good day) and do not reflect the views of any church, corporation, fire station, or manufacturer of hair care products. Do not feed these opinions after midnight or immerse them in water. Wash hands repeatedly and don't forget to practice, practice, practice.
Topic: Figure 8 mics (Read 7309 times)