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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: endless_soul on March 28, 2008, 01:07:46 PM

Title: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: endless_soul on March 28, 2008, 01:07:46 PM
im upgrading my mics soon, and im just cant decide whether to go omnidirectional or cardioids...

i mostly stealth tape, so i was thinking a directional cardioids would help cutting out some of the crowds, but then again an omni would get a better response of the room...

whats the general opinion?
im after SP cmc8...
thanks  >:D
Title: Re: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: Dede2002 on March 28, 2008, 01:46:07 PM
im upgrading my mics soon, and im just cant decide whether to go omnidirectional or cardioids...

i mostly stealth tape, so i was thinking a directional cardioids would help cutting out some of the crowds, but then again an omni would get a better response of the room...

whats the general opinion?
im after SP cmc8...
thanks  >:D

Hi,

In my almost zero experience ( only 2 years) as a taper, I've learned that the only response to your question is: that depends. Type of music, type of room, type of crowd. In my case, cards are the all around mics. But sometimes, considering the room, crowd, distance from the stage etc, omins  may sound more natural, musical, with better bass.
So if you can, get both. With the mics you're looking after ( SP cmc8) you can use both  cards and omnis caps. But ( as I'm told) they need the so called 4.7 mod to handle high SPL and not distort. Sound Professionals offers the mod as as option. You should be fine.
I'm not experienced enough to give you my 2 cents. So that's my 1 cent ;D
Title: Re: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: Belexes on March 28, 2008, 01:50:23 PM
I have the SP-CMC-8's with cards and omnis.  When stealthing, I like cards as they cut down on the chatter around you.  If I am running a stand and getting above the chatter and the room has nice acoustics, omnis would be my choice.

I'd start with cards and since you are dealing with an AT product, you can then buy the omni caps at a later date.

Title: Re: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: nameloc01 on March 28, 2008, 03:16:46 PM
Soundpros also offers the correct powering supplies for this type of mic. Hmmmm......
Title: Re: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: Liquid Drum on March 28, 2008, 04:21:28 PM
Soundpros also offers the correct powering supplies for this type of mic. Hmmmm......

They work fine as 2-wire. As far as I know, they handle much higher SPL than the CMC-4/4U.
Title: Re: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: nameloc01 on March 28, 2008, 04:50:15 PM
The point is, AT manufactures power supplies for their microphones. When you use these,(or something comparable) there's no need to modify your mics, at all. Bottom line.
Title: Re: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: Liquid Drum on March 28, 2008, 08:25:37 PM
You don't need to mod the CMC-8, they work fine unmodded. I should think running phantom power would be best but 2-wire will also do the job. Depends on the user.
Title: Re: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: BayTaynt3d on March 29, 2008, 12:07:00 AM
I go against the grain a little on this one personally, but then again, I'm not a hardcore stealther. That said, I've done my time, and I have both omnis and cards. In general, I prefer the sound of the cards just to cut out some of the ambient chit chat, focus the sound, and cut some of the boom in the room possibly. HOWEVER, I actually use omnis pretty much for all stealth these days, and the reason why is I find them to be a little more forgiving on the head movement/position -- move your head with cards and you'll know it, lol. With omnis you will too, but I feel they are more forgiving. And, if using your head as a baffle, the biaural sound you can get with omnis sometimes can be amazingly realistic.
Title: Re: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: itook2much on March 29, 2008, 05:46:55 PM
I go against the grain a little on this one personally, but then again, I'm not a hardcore stealther. That said, I've done my time, and I have both omnis and cards. In general, I prefer the sound of the cards just to cut out some of the ambient chit chat, focus the sound, and cut some of the boom in the room possibly. HOWEVER, I actually use omnis pretty much for all stealth these days, and the reason why is I find them to be a little more forgiving on the head movement/position -- move your head with cards and you'll know it, lol. With omnis you will too, but I feel they are more forgiving. And, if using your head as a baffle, the biaural sound you can get with omnis sometimes can be amazingly realistic.

I am a hardcore stealther, & I only use omnis.  More natural sound, especially baffled.  Yes, you may pick up a little more chatter, but you can work to avoid that.  And in my opinion the more realistic sound is worth it.

I think it comes down to a matter of taste.  So endless_soul, listen to as many shows as possible recorded with your potential purchases.  And buy the one whose sound you prefer.
Title: Re: better go omnidirectional or cardioids?
Post by: BayTaynt3d on March 29, 2008, 10:51:06 PM
I go against the grain a little on this one personally, but then again, I'm not a hardcore stealther. That said, I've done my time, and I have both omnis and cards. In general, I prefer the sound of the cards just to cut out some of the ambient chit chat, focus the sound, and cut some of the boom in the room possibly. HOWEVER, I actually use omnis pretty much for all stealth these days, and the reason why is I find them to be a little more forgiving on the head movement/position -- move your head with cards and you'll know it, lol. With omnis you will too, but I feel they are more forgiving. And, if using your head as a baffle, the biaural sound you can get with omnis sometimes can be amazingly realistic.

I am a hardcore stealther, & I only use omnis.  More natural sound, especially baffled.  Yes, you may pick up a little more chatter, but you can work to avoid that.  And in my opinion the more realistic sound is worth it.

I think it comes down to a matter of taste.  So endless_soul, listen to as many shows as possible recorded with your potential purchases.  And buy the one whose sound you prefer.

QFT. +T