Topic: Mic config for upcoming carillon recording

[cosmic charlie]

Hey folks, it's been a while since I've posted on ts but a recent string of local Austin TX taping has me refreshed and rejuiced 

I'm a grad student at UCSB and want to record a carillon concert on campus: 

MARGO HALSTED, CARILLONIST
IN A CONCERT CELEBRATING THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CARILLON
SUN., SEPT. 27, 4 p.m., Storke Tower Plaza, Free Admission

What is Storke Tower you may ask? See attached picture. It's a 175ft tower in a concrete jungle called Storke Plaza. The Carillon sits at atop the tower just inside those windows. For scale you can see a woman standing near the pond in the bottom left of the pic. Listeners are encouraged to bring lawn chairs so that they may sit comfortably near Storke Tower. I want to know what you guys think about a mic setup for taping this. This thing is loud, you can hear it anywhere on campus but I'm worried that if I'm too close to ground level I'll miss a lot of the dynamics.  I own a pair of SP-C4s (card & omni) but might have access to some better mics through my department, although I'm not yet sure what will be available. 

TNJazz briefly discusses using omnis for carillon in this thread:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,88266.0/all.html

Any suggestions?

edit:
according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carillon
"Recording the carillon is notoriously difficult. The extreme amount of sound waves that are generated and the layout of a carillon present problems not found in normal recording situations. The use of pzm microphones can handle the enormous waves of sound, but it isn't possible to decide on the location of the microphones without experimentation".

[baustin]

Split Omni's?

[easy jim]

Split Omni's?

I could see that as an approach for micing the bells 'up close,' but would suggest something more like the omni in a healy method config. for a coherent ambient recording from the courtyard.  With the strange resonances and overtones produced by the carillon, and the distance factor combined with other buildings/surfaces in the courtyard that may prove acoustically reflective, I'd think a split omni ambient recording would suffer and sound 'phasey.'

If you have not done so yet, cosmic charlie, maybe also try sending a PM to rowjimmytour (also in Santa Barbara) and see if he's got some ideas or may want to join you.

[rowjimmytour]

Split Omni's?

I could see that as an approach for micing the bells 'up close,' but would suggest something more like the omni in a healy method config. for a coherent ambient recording from the courtyard.  With the strange resonances and overtones produced by the carillon, and the distance factor combined with other buildings/surfaces in the courtyard that may prove acoustically reflective, I'd think a split omni ambient recording would suffer and sound 'phasey.'

If you have not done so yet, cosmic charlie, maybe also try sending a PM to rowjimmytour (also in Santa Barbara) and see if he's got some ideas or may want to join you.

Yeah I agree w/ James and taping from the courtyard w/ omnis but I also was thinking about those shuttle recordings and cards ORTF or XY might sound sweet. What type of gear do you plan on using?

[cosmic charlie]

Yeah I agree w/ James and taping from the courtyard w/ omnis but I also was thinking about those shuttle recordings and cards ORTF or XY might sound sweet. What type of gear do you plan on using?

I could run Studio Projects C4s>Fostex FR-2 LE (unmodded). I have both omni and card caps on the C4s.
It is possible I could borrow a pair of Rode NT5 mics but only have cards for them.  Unfortunately these are really the only two mic pairs I have access to.    

Jimmy - what advantages do you think ORTF or XY would have over Healy?

[notlance]

We had a carillon where I went to school, and although I never recorded it, I am familiar with its sound.  Part of its charm are the reflections you get off of other buildings, so I would not get the mic too close.  My gut says don't place the mics on and above that concrete plaza.  Is there a grassy side of the carillon, or is it completely surrounded by concrete?  I'd put some split omnis some distance away (50m?) over grass and away from people.  I don't think the mic configuration makes too much difference, but I'm only guessing.  Let us know what you did and how it comes out.

[TNJazz]

Here is the thread from Gearslutz to read about our carillon adventure:  http://www.gearslutz.com/board/remote-possibilities-acoustic-music-location-recording/95387-miking-carillon.html

An audio sample is here:  http://www.bigpurpledog.com/audio/carillon_sample.mp3

Regardless of what method you choose, have fun and don't get too close to those bells during the performance!

[rowjimmytour]

Yeah I agree w/ James and taping from the courtyard w/ omnis but I also was thinking about those shuttle recordings and cards ORTF or XY might sound sweet. What type of gear do you plan on using?

I could run Studio Projects C4s>Fostex FR-2 LE (unmodded). I have both omni and card caps on the C4s.
It is possible I could borrow a pair of Rode NT5 mics but only have cards for them.  Unfortunately these are really the only two mic pairs I have access to.     

Jimmy - what advantages do you think ORTF or XY would have over Healy?

I wasn't sure what you had but seeing you have C4's I think your set and should get a good recording. I would try them all if it was me and then decide at home which you like best. Make sure to keep accurate notes and change caps, distance, and configurations until you feel you have enough takes to call it day. I think real split omnis might sound cool w/ the wall working as baffle and the mics pointing up. Good luck and let us know how it comes out.

[cosmic charlie]

thanks all, I'll let you guys know how it goes down!