Topic: Soundfield Mics Inquiry

[CQBert]

Need some help..  I am researching my next investment and these little jems were brought to my attention by a friend.

I am trying to figure out if one is really worth it..

Any current or past users please chime in with your thoughts...

Also - I am wondering if the processing program for multi-channel decoding is available in Soundforge or Wavelab or similar...

Thanks in advance -

CQBert

[muj]

I would rather invest in obscure stereo mics like the schoeps cmts 501 or pml st-8 seems like the price just keeps going up on these.

As far as the soundfield, Brad lunde should definately help you out on trying these mics.

[carlbeck]

while I have not used the new version, the older ST-250 is a pretty intense mic.  Once you get to know its "ways", you can pretty much always pull a great recording w/one.

lots of dough though.

[guysonic]

while I have not used the new version, the older ST-250 is a pretty intense mic.  Once you get to know its "ways", you can pretty much always pull a great recording w/one.

lots of dough though.

My site has 2/4 channel surround HRTF type mic array models that always record surround ambient exactly as heard.

While 4 channel DSM array needs no decoding into 5.1 format, just simple editing to extract LFE and generate CTR channel, it is a relatively expensive system.



On the other hand, the 2-channel HRTF DSM mic array is low cost, has naturally encoded surround information inside the stereo channels, and needs simple decoding to extract 4 or full 5.1 channels 

So far, only hardware decoders easily found like Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS NEO-6, and some ambisonics/circle sound type decoders more-or-less work to extract 2-channel to 4 or full 5.1.  You can download sample recordings, trying various decoders yourself with recordings on two pages starting at www.sonicstudios.com/mp3.htm 

Special post of higher quality .ogg 16bit/88.2K and master quality 24/88.2K file versions of TRITTICO perfect for DVD-audio decoder trials at: www.sonicstudios.com/mp3_2slp.htm#afbotw

However, software decoders for directly extracting the 2-channel HRTF stereo to 5.1 surround wav or DTS/AC3 files formats is also a possibility with methods/programs at special discussion site requiring easy membership http://www.dtsac3.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

Maybe look into the links provided for background helping hardware/software/gear choices.

[Wiggler]

I had a St-250 and I miss it.
I do regret selling it.
IMO they sound awesome up close or in a excellent sounding room but not so good for bad rooms or sheds.

[guysonic]

I had a St-250 and I miss it.
I do regret selling it.
IMO they sound awesome up close or in a excellent sounding room but not so good for bad rooms or sheds.

Question is did they record consistent sound EXACTLY as the 'heard live sound' at the mic position in all rooms BOTH good or bad? 

This is a quality or ability I personally find missing with non-HRTF mic arrays requiring 'special and limited range of ambient working conditions to sound nearly as good as did the original live space.

[Wiggler]

I had a St-250 and I miss it.
I do regret selling it.
IMO they sound awesome up close or in a excellent sounding room but not so good for bad rooms or sheds.

Question is did they record consistent sound EXACTLY as the 'heard live sound' at the mic position in all rooms BOTH good or bad? 

This is a quality or ability I personally find missing with non-HRTF mic arrays requiring 'special and limited range of ambient working conditions to sound nearly as good as did the original live space.

If run Blumlein it sounded most natural and as heard live.
The reason I was not happy with my recordings in poor acoustic environments was I may of not run it narrow enough and picked up alot of reflective sound.
I also do not think I kept it long enough to master it.
I got the impression it picked up more reflective sound bouncing off the walls and ceiling then most other mics do.
I would use headphones to dial in the width but It did not have the best headphone amp and was often overpowered by the P.A.
I sold it to buy some Neumann Tlm-170s which I did not like as much as the soundfield and have been kicking myself in the ass ever since I sold it.
I mostly record rock bands in poor environments and am back to using schoeps again.  They don't sound near as natural as the soundfield but I know I will get a decent recording in almost any room. 
 

[Nick's Picks]

the soundfield does it all.  it will sound like the room...exactly.  If you want it to.

but you can also be in a shit spot in a not so good room and just dial in the polar pattern and width.
the hyper-card setting is good!!

[F0CKER]

Need some help..  I am researching my next investment and these little jems were brought to my attention by a friend.

I am trying to figure out if one is really worth it..

Any current or past users please chime in with your thoughts...

Also - I am wondering if the processing program for multi-channel decoding is available in Soundforge or Wavelab or similar...

Thanks in advance -

CQBert

The software they offer is only available as a plugin for Protools or Nuendo AFAIK.  However there's also a standalone program that does almost everything the one SF offers does.  http://mcgriffy.com/audio/ambisonic/vvmic/

I've got the ST350 on order and am expecting it in 3 weeks or so...first outing will be the Disco Biscuits then DBT in late October.  I'll post results here when I can...

[wbrisette]

The software they offer is only available as a plugin for Protools or Nuendo AFAIK. 

You can also order the Zaxcom Deva 5.8/16 with the Soundfield option. This allows you to decode the signal on the recorder and put each channel onto a separate Deva channel when recording.

Wayne

[CQBert]

Thanks Wayne....   I'll just sell my son and WaLa - a Deva will appear on my doorstep....

BTW - who is the geek in your Avatar- 

CQBert