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Author Topic: When Off Center, Where To Point Mics?  (Read 7499 times)

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Offline fanofjam

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When Off Center, Where To Point Mics?
« on: September 21, 2018, 09:16:35 PM »
I'm at a fest with side by side main stages so I'm in the middle rotating mics, which means I'm located off center from the two stacks.  Is it general consensus to point the axis of the mic pair to the center of the stage even though one stack will be closer than the other?  The thought just hit me that if I keep the axis at right angle to the stage (rather than skewed towards the center of the stage) then one mic is lined up directly with the far stack but the other mic will be a bit off line with the near stack...and that might help with getting a better balance since the sound from the nearer stack will be off axis with the mic.  Thoughts?

(I hope my question is understable.)
« Last Edit: September 21, 2018, 09:20:20 PM by fanofjam »
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Offline fanofjam

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Re: When Off Center, Where To Point Mics?
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2018, 09:44:46 PM »
Basically just answered the question for myself with my ears.

Sound is more balanced and natural sounding when I face the center of the stage.  If I turn to face so my body is parallel to the front of the stage, it sounds more unbalanced like alot more sound coming into one ear than the other.
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Mic Capsules:  Schoeps MK4 x 2, MK41 x 2, MK4S x 2, MK3 x 2, MK21 x 2, MK8 x 1, M934b x 5, M241 x 4, Nakamichi CP-701 x 2, CP-702 x 2
Mic Bodies: Schoeps m222 tubes, Schoeps CMC-4 (modified for 48v phantom), Schoeps CMMT-30 x 5, Nakamichi CM-700 x 2
Active Cable Systems:  Schoeps KCY, Schoeps Modded KC5, Schoeps nbob and extensions
Recorders: SD788t x 2, SD MixPre-3i, Deity PR-2, Zoom F3, Marantz PMD-661, Tascam DR-100i, Marantz PMD-620, Korg MR-1
Preamps:  Sonosax SX-M2D2, Schoeps VMS-5U, Schoeps VMS-52UB x 2, Schoeps VMS-42UB, Schoeps VMS-02IB, Riotbox, Cooper CSPA-1
Misc: Benchmark Sonic AD2K+, Rycote Softie Screens, Movo Screens, Rycote INV mounts

Offline Gutbucket

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Re: When Off Center, Where To Point Mics?
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2018, 09:40:37 AM »
"Turn off your targeting computer and use the Force, Luke"

Targeting computer = eyes
Force = ears

Close your eyes and determine the acoustic center by listening. 
Rotate your mic array to point that direction. 

It can be difficult to fully ignore vision, yet your recording is completely blind. It matters not where the stage actually or PA actually is, only the direction towards the apparent sonic center.
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Offline morst

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Re: When Off Center, Where To Point Mics?
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2018, 11:34:02 PM »

Awesome points about using ones ears, master GB!


If you don't have the luxury of hearing the other stage before it goes off, you WILL have to use visual cues. Look at the stage, are there large and numerous guitar and bass amps? Any Ampeg SVT's? Are you close enough to the stage for it to make any difference? Or will you be mostly recording the PA system throw? Again, you must be prepared to use the force. "Throw & Go!"

(note that the original  SVT cab is 8x 10" speakers.)



« Last Edit: September 25, 2018, 11:35:58 PM by morst »
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Offline tim in jersey

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Re: When Off Center, Where To Point Mics?
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2018, 07:20:26 AM »
Quote from: Gutbucket on September 25, 2018, 09:40:37 AM
"Turn off your targeting computer and use the Force, Luke"

Targeting computer = eyes
Force = ears

Close your eyes and determine the acoustic center by listening. 
Rotate your mic array to point that direction. 

It can be difficult to fully ignore vision, yet your recording is completely blind. It matters not where the stage actually or PA actually is, only the direction towards the apparent sonic center.

Eloquently put. Took me a long time to fight the instinct to point the mics in some wacky way to compensate for being off center.

Doesn't really work that way anyhow, as you know. Glad I finally got over that hurdle. I've been much happier with my recordings when not on center...
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Offline noahbickart

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Re: When Off Center, Where To Point Mics?
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2018, 09:03:05 AM »
When really off center, I tend to run m/s and point the M at stage center.
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Offline Ronmac

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Re: When Off Center, Where To Point Mics?
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2018, 10:57:36 AM »
Quote from: noahbickart on September 26, 2018, 09:03:05 AM
When really off center, I tend to run m/s and point the M at stage center.

How do you resolve a stereo image using this method?
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