Topic: Zoom’s 32-bit float m/s - Instamic Pro Plus C

[flysquirrel]

For those of you who have one stereo version, did you find the image not sufficiently wide enough?  Is that why I see so many people trying multiple pairs here on this thread?

[Gutbucket]

^ A coincident pair does produce a fundamentally different "flavor" of stereo, further influenced by the particular implementation M/S in the stereo unit via the MEMS mic elements, but there may be other reasons as well..

Most tapers are probably running two mono units.  The mono unit came out first and represented less of a gamble, and the technical specs for the mono unit or the stereo unit when used in mono mode is somewhat better.  Also, the use of two mono units allows for stealth concert recording microphone configurations that are well understood, liked, and long relied upon by tapers. 

For a long while there were no decent concert recordings samples of the M/S stereo unit, so until recently it's stereo qualities in concert recording situations remained unknown.

The individual nature of the small units allows for use as spot-mics or close-mics, either reinforcing a primary stereo pair or building a mix outright via panning.  That kind of use naturally lends itself to a number of units,

Some may be using them in more advanced, purposefully arranged stereo arrays.  Common examples include: 3 mono units positioned as an L/C/R mic triplet, or a mid/side stereo unit placed in the center between a couple spaced omni units.  Others include multiple stereo units, or various combinations of stereo and mono units.  I've been considering picking up multiple units for that kind of use, and for spot-mic'ing when needed.

[Craig T]

For those of you who have one stereo version, did you find the image not sufficiently wide enough?  Is that why I see so many people trying multiple pairs here on this thread?

https://archive.org/details/del2025-11-15.insta.taraszki.flac16

Mono and raw m/s at the same show same location.  While I like the ease of a single stereo unit, I am motivated to purchase another to run split omni.

[dallman]

For those of you who have one stereo version, did you find the image not sufficiently wide enough?  Is that why I see so many people trying multiple pairs here on this thread?

Because there's no screen, just lights and I don't always have the ability to look at my phone, I'm recording at 32bit float. The stereo single only records stereo at 24 bit. I thought it sounded fine actually, but want to use these in super low pro mode, so 32bit means not worrying about my levels.

[meltycrayon]

For those of you who have one stereo version, did you find the image not sufficiently wide enough?  Is that why I see so many people trying multiple pairs here on this thread?

I'm just starting to play with mine, but considering the TS crowd, I think many would be trying multiple pairs no matter how wide the stereo image. 

[chewed]

A question to those who have multiple Instamics - what software do you use to sync the files by timecode? I have an older and a newer Instamic and they don't start recording at the exactly the same time, even when using the multicontrol in the app.

[flysquirrel]

Another question for the Instamic experts:

I just ordered a couple of mono and a couple of stereo versions.  They're set to arrive the afternoon before I'm heading to, what I expect to be, a pretty loud club show.  Does anyone have any recommendations for a good default level to "set and forget" for the stereo version in 24 bit mid/side mode.   Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can provide!  I'm also curious how you stealthy tapers are mounting these to your body effectively?  It doesnt seem like any of the default clips have springs/alligator clips on them

[meltycrayon]

Another question for the Instamic experts:

I just ordered a couple of mono and a couple of stereo versions.  They're set to arrive the afternoon before I'm heading to, what I expect to be, a pretty loud club show.  Does anyone have any recommendations for a good default level to "set and forget" for the stereo version in 24 bit mid/side mode.   Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can provide!  I'm also curious how you stealthy tapers are mounting these to your body effectively?  It doesnt seem like any of the default clips have springs/alligator clips on them

I've only done a couple shows, but I'd say at least the first was a loud club, and ran it at the -10dB setting. I also used the EQ to roll down the bass 3dB at 50kHz as I thought it was bassy in my tests at home with the stereo running 95dB or so. I used the magnetic mount but rather than using the loose rubbery magnet on the other side of the hat brim, I used a neodymium magnet that fell out of an SRS hat mount. Much stronger pull.   

[chewed]

Another question for the Instamic experts:

I just ordered a couple of mono and a couple of stereo versions.  They're set to arrive the afternoon before I'm heading to, what I expect to be, a pretty loud club show.  Does anyone have any recommendations for a good default level to "set and forget" for the stereo version in 24 bit mid/side mode.   Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can provide!  I'm also curious how you stealthy tapers are mounting these to your body effectively?  It doesnt seem like any of the default clips have springs/alligator clips on them

I usually have the levels around-20 to be on the safe side (on 24 bt that is). I would like to have some sort of clip for these, in the meantime I'm trying other solutions. At the moment I have a piece of string attached between the mounts and something else. These small mics are easy to lose.

[Ozpeter]

Easy to lose recording equipment... my first portable recorder was an EMI Model L2A - see https://www.snellingsmuseum.co.uk/artefact/audio/emi-model-l2a-portable-valve-reel-to-reel-tape-recorder - times have, methinks, changed...

[Gutbucket]

^ Manual rewinding crank?  Brings back deeply imbedded memories of old reel to reel recorders I begged off my grandfather and father, took apart, and on occasion successfully reassembled way back when.  In particular the unique odor of assembly grease, rubber, phenolic, old full-sized capacitors and resistors, tweed or leather case covers, polyester tape, lead solder. Recording gear had more interesting smells back then.  Picked up an old wire-recorder at one point, with a case that included storage for about 8 wooden spools which all smelled like waxy wood and included a recording of Robert Frost reciting his poetry.. and could almost smell the gravel in his voice.

[Gutbucket]

A question to those who have multiple Instamics - what software do you use to sync the files by timecode? I have an older and a newer Instamic and they don't start recording at the exactly the same time, even when using the multicontrol in the app.

I've found the same.  I've now recorded a few things using two PR2s in support of a four channel array with their timecode and transports sync'd via the app, and find the start and stop points close but not synchronous. That's unfortunate because I like to rename a copy of the files for quick initial 4 channel playback on an Edirol/Roland R44 without having to do any other work on the computer other than simple renaming - a workflow I've used with the Tascam DR2d for many years.  Bummed to find I'll now need to trim/align the start of the two files before being able to do that (as the R44 lacks a playback delay line effect),

That said, you should be able to sync them using any multichannel-capable audio editor that recognizes and displays timecode. I've just yet to get around to actually editing them.  According to others posting in this thread the shared timecode does successfully keep files from multiple PR2s in sync once they've been initially aligned.

[chewed]

A question to those who have multiple Instamics - what software do you use to sync the files by timecode? I have an older and a newer Instamic and they don't start recording at the exactly the same time, even when using the multicontrol in the app.

I've found the same.  I've now recorded a few things using two PR2s in support of a four channel array with their timecode and transports sync'd via the app, and find the start and stop points close but not synchronous. That's unfortunate because I like to rename a copy of the files for quick initial 4 channel playback on an Edirol/Roland R44 without having to do any other work on the computer other than simple renaming - a workflow I've used with the Tascam DR2d for many years.  Bummed to find I'll now need to trim/align the start of the two files before being able to do that (as the R44 lacks a playback delay line effect),

That said, you should be able to sync them using any multichannel-capable audio editor that recognizes and displays timecode. I've just yet to get around to actually editing them.  According to others posting in this thread the shared timecode does successfully keep files from multiple PR2s in sync once they've been initially aligned.

Thank you! Currently I have just found software that doesn't support 32 bit files, doesn't support timecode, or is complicated and expensive. It feels like sync by timecode should be easy, like with an ffmpeg-command or similar.

[dallman]

A question to those who have multiple Instamics - what software do you use to sync the files by timecode? I have an older and a newer Instamic and they don't start recording at the exactly the same time, even when using the multicontrol in the app.

I've found the same.  I've now recorded a few things using two PR2s in support of a four channel array with their timecode and transports sync'd via the app, and find the start and stop points close but not synchronous. That's unfortunate because I like to rename a copy of the files for quick initial 4 channel playback on an Edirol/Roland R44 without having to do any other work on the computer other than simple renaming - a workflow I've used with the Tascam DR2d for many years.  Bummed to find I'll now need to trim/align the start of the two files before being able to do that (as the R44 lacks a playback delay line effect),

That said, you should be able to sync them using any multichannel-capable audio editor that recognizes and displays timecode. I've just yet to get around to actually editing them.  According to others posting in this thread the shared timecode does successfully keep files from multiple PR2s in sync once they've been initially aligned.

I have run 2 mono, 2 stereo or all 4 together and had the same issue with timecode being slightly off. But if I hit the actual timecode button at the bottom of the app, which I do (sometimes long) before I hit the record button, then all 4 do sync perfectly. So I am curious if you are hitting that timecode button or just opening the recorders and pressing record without hitting the actual timecode button?

[Gutbucket]

^ Yes the timecode of multiple units sync'd wirelessly and simultaneously by way of the phone app.

Again, in my case Deity rather than Instamic units (don't mean to confuse that), but both the sync'ing behavior via the phone app and the end result seems similar.