Recording - Set Up

[nickjr]

So I ordered my NH900, it's coming on Monday. I have the ECM 907 microphone.

I'm part of singing group, barber shop quartet style. We practice sitting around a table.

Where should I start on set-up?

Mic. Sensitivity - Hi or Low? Any tips would be appreciated.

[nickjr]

Also, is there a way to hook up 2-mic's to the NH900?

[squaredcircle]

You'll want Low Sensitivity for music with a wide dynamic range.

If you're practicing in a small room put the mic at some distance away to get the blend. The closer it is, the more the individual voices will separate out. Use Manual Volume, 10-12/30 for starters, experiment from there.

There are already two mics in your ECM 907, since it's a stereo mic. If you want to hook up two separate mics you can easily find a Y connector with two inputs and one output, but you're not in control of the mix, so those mics had better be well matched. For multiple mics you might want to get a little mixer.

[nickjr]

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep them in mind.

[mgdimo]

This might be just what you're looking for. Probably perfect [and cheap] for acoustic music that's not too loud...not too soft. It may provide you with just the buffer you need and allow you to experiment with high sensitivity.

I'm not sure if it's a consensus around here or not, but definitely go for the manual recording level. Especially since you'll be using it for round-table rehearsals. You can just try different levels/combos until you find the g spot. Do be sure and note your settings somewhere on each recording so you know what the hell you did that worked! Knowwudda mean?

[mrsoul]

Also, is there a way to hook up 2-mic's to the NH900?

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I would be most interested in a portable mixer that accepts both 1/4" plugs (from my AT822) and/or 3.5 mm miniplug (from my other cardioid set with battery box).

Is there such a thing or do all mixers take XLR only?

Thanks for any info or suggestions. This has me thinking about doing some mixin' at shows with my two mics, one spread about 12 inches on each side and the AT822 in the middle. Does that make sense or is it possible?

[dex Otaku]

I would be most interested in a portable mixer that accepts both 1/4" plugs  (from my AT822) and/or 3.5 mm miniplug (from my other cardioid set with battery box). 

Is there such a thing or do all mixers take XLR only?

Thanks for any info or suggestions.  This has me thinking about doing some mixin' at shows with my two mics, one spread about 12 inches on each side and the AT822 in the middle.  Does that make sense or is it possible?  

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Most good small mixers [thinking the likes of Mackie, for instance] have both XLR and 1/4" inputs for their mic preamps. Whether they are balanced TRS 1/4" inputs is another matter.

If you attempt to mix mics with distance between them like that, you'll end up experiencing all sorts of phasing problems. Between the time-delay from the distance, and the different response and polar patterns of the mics, you'll probably experience a few strange "holes" in the sound from cancellation as well as strange resonances.

Which is not to say that those are always a bad thing - creative mic placement is all about finding something that sounds good to you. The only way to find out is to experiment and see if it works.

[mrsoul]

Thanks Dex. Anything from Sony that you can think of? I saw a mixer on New Year's Eve that was very small. Maybe it was a headphone mixer?

What about something like this...

http://www.rolls.com/new/mx44.html

http://www.rolls.com/new/mx41.html (this would probably be best for my mics that already have power)

Edited January 18, 2005 by mrsoul

[dex Otaku]

The first one you've linked to would still require an external preamp for every mic you're using, as it's for line-level signals only.

The second might work, but - as it's a passive mixer [no preamps] the impedance would likely be badly mismatched for microphones. This would not likely affect things if all level controls are turned all the way up, but when used they will probably not behave as expected.

I have seen Sony mixers over the years, but most of these were for low-budget video use, were mono, and signal-path quality wise couldn't even be considered prosumer gear.

Here are some mixer recommendations.. please note that most mixers are not battery-operated, and will not fit in your pocket. They can also get fairly pricey - but this is an area where you definitely get what you pay for, in terms of signal path and build quality, among other things.

http://www.mackie.com/products/dfx6/index.html

http://www.behringer.com/02_products/prodi...FTOKEN=35469104

The Berhinger runs off batteries, and Sound Professionals sells it for $159USD. My experience with their products is that while I wouldn't use them for audiophile purist recordings, and their build quality is less durable than Mackie's stuff - for general purpose mixing, they're great as long as you remember to take care of them.

[nickjr]

A lot of great info here, thanks guys.

[craftech]

Mr Soul,

If I am not mistaken you have an AT822 stereo microphone. If you want to use it with a mixer you will have to construct your own cable to interface it as the supplied XLR to dual 1/4" adapter that came with it can only be jacked into the 1/4 inch line inputs which won't give you enough volume. The XLR inputs on mixers are all mono so you will have to make an adapter that will convert the "Stereo" XLR configuration AT uses to dual XLRMs and hook it up to TWO XLRF mic inputs on the mixer. I have done this myself so if you need wiring instructions I'll be happy to give them to you. Nothing like that is available commercially to my knowledge.

John

Edited January 20, 2005 by craftech

[dex Otaku]

4- and 5-pin XLR [single-connector stereo] to dual 3-pin XLR adapter cables are commonly available just about everywhere that sells pro or semi-pro audio equipment. The last time I saw one being sold was at a Long & McQuade shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - for about $20-$30 Canadian.

[mrsoul]

I think I may just hold off until I look at the Auris mics and the Boost Box some more. I like the AT822 and its ease of use. It does a fine job outdoors but indoors can be thin at times. Thanks for the info and the offer for the assistance.

[mgdimo]

I think I may just hold off until I look at the Auris mics and the Boost Box some more. 

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Please post any findings here. I'm still holding off on purchasing the Boost Box because I don't know if there's anything else out there that'll suit my needs better: maybe something a little smaller. Not sure how strongly I feel about bass rolloff yet nor do I really know which models offer it. Haven't really scrutinized anybody else's offerings yet (sound pros, et al).

More opinions welcome!!

[craftech]

4- and 5-pin XLR [single-connector stereo] to dual 3-pin XLR adapter cables are commonly available just about everywhere that sells pro or semi-pro audio equipment. The last time I saw one being sold was at a Long & McQuade shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - for about $20-$30 Canadian.

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The AT822 uses a standard XLRM with THREE pins, not 4 or 5. It has the following configuration:

Pin 1 is Gnd. for both channels

Pin 2 is Left Channel

Pin 3 is Right Channel

It is intended to feed an unbalanced piece of equipment such as a minidisc, camera, or DAT. That is why the XLRF to mini cable is supplied with the microphone.

The other advantage of this setup is that the 3 pin XLR on the mike allows you to use standard XLRF - XLRM mic cables as an extension to quite long lengths.

As I said, No adapter cable is available commercially so one must construct one.

This is done by sending the hot signal from each mic channel to pin 2 on each XLRMs. One for left and one for right. The Common (Gnd) on the mic's Pin 1 goes to Pin 3 on each. Pin 1 on the two XLRMs that go to the mixer may or may not have to be tied to Pin 3 depending upon the mixer's op-amps otherwise it may be noisy. If the mixer has a transformer input it has to be tied. A block diagram of the mixer usually comes with them for reference. Don't tie 1 and 3 at the mic end. The sleeves of the XLRs may be optionally tied to Pin 1. Phantom on the mixer must be turned OFF. Batteries only.

The AT825 on the other hand is the one that is intended to be used with XLR's. Unlike the AT822 it is a balanced mic. The output connector is a 5-pin XLRM giving you two balanced lines plus a common ground. Adapter cables are supplied that branch off into the standard 3-pin XLR's for balanced left and right signals. No mystery there. The AT825 will operate with the internal battery or with phantom power. The capsules on both mikes are aimed at 110 degrees and use studio grade capsules taken from the AT4031. That's why they sound so good.

John

Edited January 21, 2005 by craftech

[dex Otaku]

Ah, so it's the unbalanced kind.

You got me there.