deadwing Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 A few weeks ago I posted a thread called 'Why The Difference?' which highlighted differences I was getting in recordings. Thanks to the suggestions in there, I invested in one of Greenmachine's battery boxes. Tonight, I got the first chance to use it.On receiving the battery box, my immediate worry was that the 9v battery could be prone to becoming disconnected during a recording, but that was easily overcome with an empty cardboard box my ink cartridges come in-perfect size and easy access for the cables!That out of the way I set about recording the support band-as I was in stealth mode, I had to be careful, but I settled on a level of 18/30. Had I recorded at this level with the attenuator, then I'd have got a mass of distortion, but a trip to the loo at the break indicated that it was just about right-if anything a little low, but nothing that couldn't be boosted post recording.The main band played a bit louder if anything, the bass player using some really heavy bass pedals and the drummer had a two bass-drum set up that was pretty loud too. After the set, I played it back via my car stereo and it was pretty good- easily the best recording I've made in this building. I tweaked the volume a little and raised the mids and highs just a tad post recording, but the sample below is pretty much how it came off the disc. The sample is actually a quite intense instrumental bit, so this really would have loads of distortion using the attenuator methodhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/barneystorm/ACT_SAMPLE.mp3So, there you have it- Greenmachine, thanks a ton for the battery box, I can now record with confidence! The only thing I now have to solve is the occasional 'shifting' sound I get- I mount the mics on my lapels and I'm wondering whether people walking in front of me or even me lifting a drink to my mouth may be causing this..anyone any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 just hold your head 15cm (or about 5 inches) lower at a concert and listen to what you are hearing then...I really like the mics mounted on glasses idea, I did this with the help of a sports-retainer (or what they are called, sometimes called croakies) for glasses and greenmachine has this neat little trick with heatshrink tube and a pair of fake/sun/reading glassesthis way your head acts as a stereo separator and you are recording almost exactly what you hear, which makes chosing a good spot even easier, just close your eyes and listen, that is what the mics are getting as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadwing Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 I was thinking the same thing myself, but would that cause that kind of sound 'shifting'? I could understand it if the equipment was on the floor say, but at lapel level, and with the mics pointing upwards, would it make a considerable difference, especially when I'm in a spot where there wasn't many people in front of me? Having listened to it all the way through today,t didn't happen that much on this recording-would shielding the mics help maybe? The pair I'm using came with little foam pads around the end, but the got lost on the first show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmachine Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Because of their directionality, cardioids are more susceptible to movement (like a tele lens in photography). A loose mounting on the lapels will amplify shifting effects (when you move). The higher above the crowd you can get the mics, the 'cleaner' the recording will be. Because of the natural separating effect of your head (HRTF), fixing the mics close to your ears will result in a very realistic recording (almost as perceived on location), but that would be my suggestion for omnidirectional microphones - cardioids may need different placement. Also you have to be a good human mic stand and stand as still as possible to avoid shifting effects.I'm glad the battery box helped you on your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 ah indeed, I didn't know there were caroids used here... I guess cardioids would benefit from a fixed raised position; but that would be difficult to combine with stealth-requirements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmachine Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Apropos stealth: What about wearing high heels to raise mic position? --- j/kThose little foam pads were wind screens by the way, not necessarily necessary in your situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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