Topic: Permanant ambient mic installation

[kcmule]

Anyone have a favorite mic they use for ambience?  I generally
run a 4 channel matrix (2 aud, 2 sbd) and am considering getting
a pair of mics to mount in the my frequent club so I don't have
to set my akg's up every time I'm there.  Getting lazy 

This is for an indoor setup.  I've got a mount bar, clamp, etc...
all figured out already just need some recommendations on a pair
of mics.  I genrally run my cards inside and am fairly pleased with
the results when mixing with the sbd feed.  This is a small room
and the mics are maybe 10 to 15 feet from the PA.

Not looking to spend a fortune, but a few bucks ain't gonna to kill me.

Thanks.

[illconditioned]

Anyone have a favorite mic they use for ambience?  I generally
run a 4 channel matrix (2 aud, 2 sbd) and am considering getting
a pair of mics to mount in the my frequent club so I don't have
to set my akg's up every time I'm there.  Getting lazy 

This is for an indoor setup.  I've got a mount bar, clamp, etc...
all figured out already just need some recommendations on a pair
of mics.  I genrally run my cards inside and am fairly pleased with
the results when mixing with the sbd feed.  This is a small room
and the mics are maybe 10 to 15 feet from the PA.

Not looking to spend a fortune, but a few bucks ain't gonna to kill me.

Thanks.

I've got some installed setups.

One is Studio Projects C4 (cardioid), split, each mic approx 5' in front of each speaker.  Another is Countryman B3 (omni) hanging apprrox 6' in front of each speaker.  I really like the Countryman since you can't even see the mics.  (The room is often a dance club, so it is dark.)

  Richard

[stevetoney]

Speaking strictly from a cost vs. value perspective, does Mr. Gale have any of the ADK A51S LD mics left over?  Can't hardly go wrong at $50 each since then it wouldn't be a disaster if they got stolen on a night you're not around.

[illconditioned]

Speaking strictly from a cost vs. value perspective, does Mr. Gale have any of the ADK A51S LD mics left over?  Can't hardly go wrong at $50 each since then it wouldn't be a disaster if they got stolen on a night you're not around.

Part of the reason I use B3 is that it is not visible in the crowd (or by the artists!).  So noone is "distracted" by taping, even if you are running "stealth".

  Richard

[stevetoney]

Speaking strictly from a cost vs. value perspective, does Mr. Gale have any of the ADK A51S LD mics left over?  Can't hardly go wrong at $50 each since then it wouldn't be a disaster if they got stolen on a night you're not around.

Part of the reason I use B3 is that it is not visible in the crowd (or by the artists!).  So noone is "distracted" by taping, even if you are running "stealth".

  Richard

Nice, obviously if you can't see them, they're far less apt to attract sticky fingers.

[kcmule]

One is Studio Projects C4 (cardioid), split, each mic approx 5' in front of each speaker.  Another is Countryman B3 (omni) hanging apprrox 6' in front of each speaker.  I really like the Countryman since you can't even see the mics.  (The room is often a dance club, so it is dark.)

While I've not used/heard any Countryman's before they don't
have much of an initial appeal to me.  Might pick up a pair of
C4's but a buddy has some spare mics I'm going to try first and
go from there.

[kcmule]

Speaking strictly from a cost vs. value perspective, does Mr. Gale have any of the ADK A51S LD mics left over?  Can't hardly go wrong at $50 each since then it wouldn't be a disaster if they got stolen on a night you're not around.

I'n not too worried about them walking off but I suppose
anything is possble.  Staying on the "cheap" end is wise
but I don't want to sacrafice good recordings.

[illconditioned]

One is Studio Projects C4 (cardioid), split, each mic approx 5' in front of each speaker.  Another is Countryman B3 (omni) hanging apprrox 6' in front of each speaker.  I really like the Countryman since you can't even see the mics.  (The room is often a dance club, so it is dark.)

While I've not used/heard any Countryman's before they don't
have much of an initial appeal to me.  Might pick up a pair of
C4's but a buddy has some spare mics I'm going to try first and
go from there.

What's wrong with the Countryman?  I've found they work well *if you can get close enough*.  Listen to some of my recordings if you don't believe me.  These mics are one of the smoothest and most natural sounding mics I've used.  The only thing better is the Nevaton MCE 400.

  Richard

[fmaderjr]

Check out this deal on the Nevatons (Restocks from Full Compass):
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/366572.html

[kcmule]

What's wrong with the Countryman?  I've found they work well *if you can get close enough*.  Listen to some of my recordings if you don't believe me.  These mics are one of the smoothest and most natural sounding mics I've used.  The only thing better is the Nevaton MCE 400.

  Richard

Maybe nothing wrong with them at all, I've not used them.
I just have my doubts about using a lavalier mic and with
a quick search they retail for ~$200 each.  No way I can
bring myself to drop that kind of change.  I'm not worried
about the size of the microphone (well, I doubt I'd want to
use a pair of LD's).  Majority of folks are not going to know
where they are mounted.

[illconditioned]

What's wrong with the Countryman?  I've found they work well *if you can get close enough*.  Listen to some of my recordings if you don't believe me.  These mics are one of the smoothest and most natural sounding mics I've used.  The only thing better is the Nevaton MCE 400.

  Richard

Maybe nothing wrong with them at all, I've not used them.
I just have my doubts about using a lavalier mic and with
a quick search they retail for ~$200 each.  No way I can
bring myself to drop that kind of change.  I'm not worried
about the size of the microphone (well, I doubt I'd want to
use a pair of LD's).  Majority of folks are not going to know
where they are mounted.

Yes, $200 each with xlr connector, approx $150 with pigtails (use with recorder plug in power).  IMO these are the best deal for minature/omni mics.  The sound is amazing, that's all I can say.

That said, your best deal would be a pair of Studio Projects C4, for $200 or so used on this forum.  These will also be suitable for crowded, bad-sounding rooms.  At least rooms where you can hang mics without fear of the mosh pit (or people throwing their hands in the air...)

Let us know how you do, maybe a picture of the installed rig .

  Richard

[kcmule]

That said, your best deal would be a pair of Studio Projects C4, for $200 or so used on this forum.  These will also be suitable for crowded, bad-sounding rooms.  At least rooms where you can hang mics without fear of the mosh pit (or people throwing their hands in the air...)

Let us know how you do, maybe a picture of the installed rig .

  Richard

I'm considering a pair of C4's, but will try my buddies mics first.
He might have $50 in the pair, so we'll see how they do.  No
mosh pits are happening in this place, if one breaks out they're
all getting tossed out    I'll take a picture of the installed rig,
virgin voyage should be tomorrow night.

[ghellquist]

My idea is that you start out by making a permanent installation of cables and positions for mic holders. Use XLR-contacts going off to a permanently mounted XLR "switchboard" in a control room or a locked cupboard or something like that. From there run cables out to strategically placed taping positions where users can connect. Add net power at the switchboard and place for a mic pre. Also add net power to the taping positions. This will allow you to experiment with different mics and mic pres. A bit of thinking in this stage will allow you to have a flexible setup as the difficult part will be to run the cabling into place.

Gunnar

[kcmule]

My idea is that you start out by making a permanent installation of cables and positions for mic holders. Use XLR-contacts going off to a permanently mounted XLR "switchboard" in a control room or a locked cupboard or something like that. From there run cables out to strategically placed taping positions where users can connect. Add net power at the switchboard and place for a mic pre. Also add net power to the taping positions. This will allow you to experiment with different mics and mic pres. A bit of thinking in this stage will allow you to have a flexible setup as the difficult part will be to run the cabling into place.

Gunnar

I've had cabling installed for quite some time (year or more).
Everything works just fine.  I just usually put up my akg and
take them down for each show.  I'm getting tired of doing that,
so I'm thinking a cheaper mic I can leave up and not worry
about that extra work every time I see a show.