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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: dimm0k on October 26, 2007, 10:12:24 AM

Title: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: dimm0k on October 26, 2007, 10:12:24 AM
Most likely going to have to go stealth for an upcoming show and will be doing so with Church-Audio's cardioids and preamp.  I'm approximately 5'6" and was wondering if it would present any problems if I were to place the cardioids under my dress shirt's collar.
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: PG on October 26, 2007, 10:58:35 AM
I would say yes. The sound will be more muffled and you wont have good control over the positioning of the mics. At your height you will likely be blocked by someone taller's back.
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: danlynch on October 26, 2007, 11:26:54 AM
I assume there are clips on these mics.  Wear a baseball hat, where you can either turn it backwards and clip to the band at your temples, or wear it straight and clip on either side of the brim also at your temples.

Run the cables up inside the hat, and bring them down the center of the back of your neck and through your shirt.

[if this post is too stealthy, Mods feel free to delete]
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: attheshow on October 26, 2007, 12:47:32 PM
The other problem with "under" your shirt collar is that you'll have loud annoying noises on your recording every time the material touches or rubs the mic (every time you move). Ask me how I know... Don't let this spoil a good recording!
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: dimm0k on October 26, 2007, 03:47:55 PM
Hrmm, well with my dress shirts the collars are pretty stiff so wouldn't taping it to the collar prevent the sound of rubbing?  I don't wear ties so the collars are open.

As for the cap idea it sounds like an option, but wouldn't it be noticeable with mics sticking out of a cap?
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: Belexes on October 26, 2007, 03:53:51 PM
I have yet to try it, but I doubt the problems with the under the collar method, especially a concert with high SPL's...muffling still?  I don't move much when I record. I'm a statute.  I might go as a Bogen mic stand for Halloween.
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: dorrcoq on October 26, 2007, 03:56:30 PM
I'm an "under the collar" guy, and never had a problem
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: dimm0k on October 26, 2007, 04:04:43 PM
I'm an "under the collar" guy, and never had a problem

Can you provide some details on your equipment setup...
is your collar open?
how do you place the pics, straight, outwards, etc?
how do you run the mic cable from your equipment to your collar?
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: faninor on October 26, 2007, 04:13:10 PM
I have yet to try it, but I doubt the problems with the under the collar method, especially a concert with high SPL's...muffling still?  I don't move much when I record. I'm a statute.  I might go as a Bogen mic stand for Halloween.
Even with high SPLs, having a clear "line of sight" from the sound source to your microphone is important. High frequency sounds do not diffract well, and an object directly in front of the mics will really hurt the higher frequencies (although lower frequencies will make it to you just fine). This is how you get muffled sound in the first place, and just because it's very loud doesn't mean it won't still be muffled, although extreme volume may help somewhat (I'm not sure). I've run cardioids from my shoulders, collar, chest, and glasses, and the higher I can get them usually the better the recording sounds. When I go under the collar, I try to get them pointed forward at angles to the left and right, and maybe tilted up to a varying degree depending on where the sound is coming from. I put the cables down the front of my shirt behind the buttons and then into a pocket.
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: Belexes on October 26, 2007, 04:19:20 PM
faninor, that makes sense. +T. I think if I go under the collar, I'll move the mics forward and out away from the back of my neck to project more towards the sound source.
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: wklitz on October 26, 2007, 04:32:46 PM
I once ran my Schoeps MK4's at a Rush concert rolled up in my turtle-neck (due to forgetting something else in the car) and the recording came out great.  As said above, just make sure they aren't blocked by someone or something between them and the music.
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: ninjadave on October 26, 2007, 04:34:56 PM
i'm with you Belexes....the human mic stand.  :o  i always need a good neck rub after i tape, especially if the show is long like these past rush gigs.....  ;D

good luck whatever you do, the higher on the body/head the better....so do what you can...Belexes got it nailed....

ninja.
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: nameloc01 on October 27, 2007, 09:29:25 PM
You need to wear those mics so as they point at the stacks..un-obstructed. So that should explain it basically.
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: boyacrobat on October 27, 2007, 10:10:47 PM
if your doing collars try using your neck more for that extra imaging of stereo
neck baffle

g
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: dimm0k on October 28, 2007, 01:25:48 AM
if your doing collars try using your neck more for that extra imaging of stereo
neck baffle

g

Care to elaborate on this?
Title: Re: stealthing cardioids for first show
Post by: dorrcoq on October 28, 2007, 03:44:52 PM
I think he means to keep your neck between the mics to act as a baffle.