RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers.

Posted by Bill Way (A) on April 30, 2016 at 16:36:08

In Reply to: RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers. posted by beppe61 on April 30, 2016 at 07:32:52:

"omnidirectional mics are not good if the playback is done with traditional speaker only with frontal emission"

Sorry, have to disagree on that one. When tracking, ALL mics are heard by the engineer using conventional, moving-coil, front-firing speakers in sealed or ported boxes. You will not find dipoles or infinite baffles in any control room. The Fine's great Mercury recordings were all done with omnis, and sound terrific on any speaker. The design of the playback speakers has nothing to do with the selection or placement of mics - not ever.

You pick *and place* mics to best capture the performer, the instrument, and/or maybe the room. Cardioid pattern mics are the most common, but there are times when omnis or figure-8s do best. Omnis *or* cardioids are often used as room mics. Figure-8 mics, often ribbons, are great on hi-hat. (Sorry, I don't know what else they're used for; I've only used them on hats.) Engineers pick mics not only for the pattern, but for the frequency response around the angles of the pattern (e.g. non-flat required for Decca tree.) They will also take into account sensitivity and loudness-handling - many condenser (s/s and tube) and almost all dynamic mics can handle very high SPL; ribbons not so much.

For mic placement, there are infinite possibilities Common approaches are: close (individual instrument) micing, X-Y, mid-side, spaced omnis, Decca tree, Blumlein pair.

Don't read too much into promotional literature. Yes, cardioids are good for sound reinforcement at live performances, but omnis are often used when *recording* acoustic instruments/vocalists in a live performance in a good hall. For capturing amplified live music, close micing with dynamic and condenser cardioid mics is about the only way to go.

The technique and art of mic selection and placement can take years to learn, and is fascinating. With my 300-odd days of studio time, I've just had a glimpse of it.

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Some ramblings about mics and speakers. - beppe61 06:17:45 04/30/16 (37)

What recording are you using to setup your room? nT - M-dB 23:13:20 05/2/16 (1)

RE: What recording are you using to setup your room? nT - beppe61 12:11:34 05/3/16 (0)

RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers. - Inmate51 21:21:27 05/2/16 (1)

RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers. - beppe61 21:56:09 05/2/16 (0)

RE: Some ramblings about mics... - cdb 16:01:48 04/30/16 (2)

Book - Inmate51 12:50:25 05/2/16 (0)

RE: Some ramblings about mics... - beppe61 23:37:46 04/30/16 (0)

It's a crapshoot - genungo 11:05:43 04/30/16 (5)

RE: It's a crapshoot - beppe61 12:50:44 04/30/16 (4)

RE: "Does this make sense?" - genungo 13:38:32 04/30/16 (3)

RE: "Does this make sense?" - beppe61 23:17:34 04/30/16 (2)

RE: "Does this make sense?" - genungo 04:18:05 05/1/16 (1)

RE: "Does this make sense?" - beppe61 06:42:43 05/1/16 (0)

you do it this way with an omni microphone - bullethead 07:08:42 04/30/16 (18)

RE: you do it this way with an omni microphone - beppe61 07:21:35 04/30/16 (17)

Omni mics are superior... - BigguyinATL 06:59:08 05/2/16 (1)

RE: Omni mics are superior... - beppe61 11:24:17 05/2/16 (0)

Omni mics are superior... - BigguyinATL 06:58:34 05/2/16 (0)

What you are talking about is holographic recording... - bullethead 07:31:52 04/30/16 (13)

RE: What you are talking about is holographic recording... - beppe61 12:38:54 04/30/16 (3)

RE: What you are talking about is holographic recording... - bullethead 16:36:05 04/30/16 (2)

" here you go " - beppe61 22:16:07 05/1/16 (0)

RE: What you are talking about is holographic recording... - beppe61 01:29:44 05/1/16 (0)

RE: What you are talking about is holographic recording... - beppe61 08:16:43 04/30/16 (8)

Well... - vinyl survivor 14:40:49 04/30/16 (3)

RE: Well... - beppe61 23:25:34 04/30/16 (2)

RE: Well... - vinyl survivor 00:21:31 05/1/16 (1)

RE: Well... - beppe61 00:50:02 05/1/16 (0)

RE: What you are talking about is holographic recording... - bullethead 08:30:28 04/30/16 (3)

RE: What you are talking about is holographic recording... - beppe61 08:51:29 04/30/16 (2)

RE: What you are talking about is holographic recording... - Kal Rubinson 11:49:59 04/30/16 (1)

RE: What you are talking about is holographic recording... - beppe61 12:45:50 04/30/16 (0)

RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers. - Kal Rubinson 06:53:17 04/30/16 (4)

RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers. - beppe61 07:32:52 04/30/16 (3)

RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers. - Bill Way 04/30/1616:36:08 04/30/16 (0)

RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers. - Kal Rubinson 07:49:29 04/30/16 (1)

RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers. - beppe61 08:25:43 04/30/16 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers. - Bill Way 04/30/1616:36:08 04/30/16 (0)

RE: Some ramblings about mics and speakers.

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