Topic: Is there a SD stereo mic that does Blumlein?

[carlbeck]

I really miss my Blumlein recordings & would love to find a stereo mic with small diaphragms that does Blumlein. I know there are a few LD stereo mics but I tend to prefer SD, also there are an abundance of switchable pattern LD mics that could be used in a stereo pair but I'm really looking for the simplicity of a stereo mic. So, any suggestions out there that I'm unaware of besides the vintage, rather expensive usual suspects?

[noahbickart]

get a pair of schoeps mk8 (or mk6) capsules, mount with actives on one of the darktrain long vark style bars, and go.

[OOK]

Several Options:

You can do like Noahbickart said using SCD fig8 caps from any of the big names: Schoeps MK8, MBHO ka400, Neumann km120. cross them 90degrees for Blumlein.

or you can use a software control style of mic....   I have always been interested in these.  In the mastering stage you can convert the signal to any of stereo mic'ing techniques.  Blumlein being one of them.  However you have to run four channels to accomplish this...

CoreSound Tetra Mic

SoundField SP2000

[carlbeck]

The Tetra looks interesting except for the support of the mfr, bad experience 15 years ago like most have experienced. Other than that it certainly looks like it has serious potential. I'm also considering having my C34 modded to a pair of figure of eight capsules if possible, I'm waiting to hear back from Peluso in regards to the rebuild & mod potential. It's just surprising their aren't any other choices unless you go with LDC. The AT 4050ST looked interesting except its card & figure of eight. My thought is to run whatever stereo mic in addition too my 61's or 63's so in case the Blumlein isn't as good as I hope I always have a back up source. A little ridiculous? Perhaps but I've never been accused of being practical!

[acidjack]

The Tetra looks interesting except for the support of the mfr, bad experience 15 years ago like most have experienced. Other than that it certainly looks like it has serious potential. I'm also considering having my C34 modded to a pair of figure of eight capsules if possible, I'm waiting to hear back from Peluso in regards to the rebuild & mod potential. It's just surprising their aren't any other choices unless you go with LDC. The AT 4050ST looked interesting except its card & figure of eight. My thought is to run whatever stereo mic in addition too my 61's or 63's so in case the Blumlein isn't as good as I hope I always have a back up source. A little ridiculous? Perhaps but I've never been accused of being practical!

There's also the Brahma ambisonic microphone, which is new. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1569945514/brahma-affordable-ambisonics-microphone

Worth a look maybe.

[DSatz]

The only ones that come to mind are discontinued/historical: Neumann SM 2 and SM 23, Schoeps CMTS 301 and CMTS 501, and AKG C 34. All of these were actually multi-pattern, with figure-8 being one of the choices.

Wait--your second message says that you have a C 34. So what's the problem--do you not have the S 42 remote pattern controller for it?

--best regards

[chinariderstl]

Not sure if this would work, but throwing it out there just in case, the Shure VP88.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68506-REG/Shure_VP88_VP88_Mic_with.html

[carlbeck]

The only ones that come to mind are discontinued/historical: Neumann SM 2 and SM 23, Schoeps CMTS 301 and CMTS 501, and AKG C 34. All of these were actually multi-pattern, with figure-8 being one of the choices.

Wait--your second message says that you have a C 34. So what's the problem--do you not have the S 42 remote pattern controller for it?

--best regards

Yes, I have a C34 MS listed in the yard sale that needs repair. There's no S42 controller box for the MS version.

[Gutbucket]

Maybe consider a stereo ribbon?

Due to the rectagular ribbon format, the polar behaviour is sort of SD-like in the horizontal plane if maybe LD like in the vertical plane I'd guess.  The microphone bodies of the modern rare-earth magnet version are typically closer in diameter to a SDC than a stereo LDC.  Typical ribbon concerns for handling and wind protection though, probably indoor use only.

Royer on the high end, various Chinese sourced variants as lower cost options- Busman, Cascade I think, probably a few others.

The Tetra looks interesting except for the support.

I'll be happy to answer any questions best I can from my experience with one.  It does do Blumlein very well.  Perhaps it's most useful aspect is that the recording can be adjusted afterwards to variants of 'almost Blumlien', which are often better suited to the recording than exactly 90-degree crossed 8s.  The single microphone is small, descreet and easy to rig, but you'll need to record 4 channels and be comfortable with the post decoding, which is the cool part.  Can do the same with a Schoeps Dual M/S setup, though that requires three microphones and three recorded channels.

[ArchivalAudio]

I'll throw this in:
while technically a LD mic it uses rectangular membranes and really is a SD mic
the MILAB DC196.
http://www.milabmic.com/showproduct.asp?id=1133&show=specs

Length       145 mm
Diameter       27 mm

I want these just for as you state Blumlein
they can be run vertically or horizontally.
http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Milab/DC-196

if you want them see full compass http://www.fullcompass.com/product/362414.html ask for Ron he's been my rep for  over 17 years and he will cut you a deal.
--Ian

[Gutbucket]

MILAB DC196

I've long wanted to try those and have heard a handful of really nice recordings from them.  Kind of funny that they look like half-scale LDCs.  Never could fully justify it beyond lust, but thanks for the reminder. 

Too bad Milab or Pearl doesn't make a stereo rectangular diaphragm microphone in a narrow body similar to a modern stereo ribbon.

[carlbeck]

I've decided to send my C34 to John Peluso for repair. I'm hoping they can install two figure of eight caps since I only used my old C34 for Blumlein 90% of the time. it would be nice if I had the S42 control box as my original did but like I said I rarely ran anything other than Blumlein with that mic, it seemed like a shame to have this C34 sitting around in need of repair & buying something else.

[audBall]

Assuming they can repair it, would it be strictly limited to blumlein even if you came across a control box?
I often wonder why a modern SD like doesn't exist anymore. Too difficult to service? Limited demand?

[Len Moskowitz (Core Sound)]

I really miss my Blumlein recordings & would love to find a stereo mic with small diaphragms that does Blumlein. I know there are a few LD stereo mics but I tend to prefer SD, also there are an abundance of switchable pattern LD mics that could be used in a stereo pair but I'm really looking for the simplicity of a stereo mic. So, any suggestions out there that I'm unaware of besides the vintage, rather expensive usual suspects?

Have you considered one of our TetraMic ambisonic microphones? When decoded to Blumlein it has the finest Blumlein performance of any mic. It uses 12 mm capsules.

It's small, rugged and very, very flexible. And while it does mono and stereo, it also does full surround, with height, if that's what you want.

[carlbeck]

Assuming they can repair it, would it be strictly limited to blumlein even if you came across a control box?
I often wonder why a modern SD like doesn't exist anymore. Too difficult to service? Limited demand?

I spoke with John Peluso in regards to repairing & modifying, he is confident it can be repaired. Once he receives the mic he may also be able to install two figure of eight caps & depending on if there is room in the body possibly install a switch to allow me to switch the top cap from figure of eight to card. Unfortunately the output connector being five pin vs fourteen will not allow a break out box like the S42 to be installed so I can have full switching of both caps.
I wonder the same as you, my only assumption could be that there is no demand for a SD version, there are plenty of LD options which are better suited to studio use.