bianurals vs cardioids

[nulldogmas]

Is there a conventional wisdom (or even unconventional wisdom) on when one would want to use cardioid mics vs binaurals? Ever since getting my CS binaurals I've pretty much abandoned my cardioids because they have so little bass, but I'm wondering if there are any situations where I might want to switch back.

[A440]

Is there a conventional wisdom (or even unconventional wisdom) on when one would want to use cardioid mics vs binaurals?

Simply, use them when you care more about directionality than about bass. For instance: If you're doing an interview with one person. If you've got a very noisy audience behind you. If you're recording something like a string quartet or a songwriter-with-guitar that doesn't have significant bass.

And definitely use fresh tomatoes and a little extra red pepper in the gazpacho.

Me, I consider omnis to be the all-purpose mic, especially for live music.

Edited September 11, 2006 by A440

[nulldogmas]

Simply, use them when you care more about directionality than about bass. For instance: If you're doing an interview with one person. If you've got a very noisy audience behind you. If you're recording something like a string quartet or a songwriter-with-guitar that doesn't have significant bass.

All makes sense. Do you think there's ever reason to prefer directionality to avoid sound bouncing off the side and back walls (I'm thinking the Mercury Lounge in NYC, which has walls that slough off pure audio mud), or is that a lost cause?

And definitely use fresh tomatoes and a little extra red pepper in the gazpacho.

Don't you find that the tomatoes get stuck in your Line In port?

[A440]

I'm thinking the Mercury Lounge in NYC, which has walls that slough off pure audio mud.

That would be an interesting experiment--presumably the cardioids would lose some of the echoes. Maybe you should bring along both pairs and try them during the opening act. If you use the Pause button I think it will hold the settings so you don't have to take the unit out.

But there are some very sweet spots in the Mercury Lounge, some just a few feet from bad spots. Against the wall, under the light fixture, often seems pretty good, strangely enough. Or back by the sound board. You can also try getting there early and standing on the banquettes. Throw some tomatoes at people if they get there first.