Closed. Thanks all! Mic Placement: ECM-MS957 + MZ-RH1

[boojum]

Hi - I just got the RH1 and like it a lot. I did a test recording in PCM of music off my stereo and it seemed pretty accurate. I plan to record some local bar bands and to record some local symphonic groups. Who can offer advice on mic placement? How far from the performers? Mic sensitivity would be "Low" and I guess the gain would be 15/30. I can do it over and over again until I get something to work right. It is a learning experience.

My guess is to get in as close as possible but not in their laps. What say you?

Thanks.

Edited January 29, 2007 by boojum

[A440]

Just find the spot in the room where it sounds best when you listen with eyes closed. Too close to the stage, and the PA may be aimed over your head. Too far away, and people talking, bar glasses clinking, etc., could be distracting.

Near the sound booth is always my first guess because, presumably, the person at the sound board is trying to mix optimum sound at that spot.

[boojum]

Followed A440's advice and got a good, clean recording of two amped guitarists doing folk-rock in a bar. It sounds pretty good, limited by the quality of one guitar amp/pa and the crowd noise. Otherwise amazingly good. Just found a good spot, turned on the ECM-MS957 and the RH1 and let it go. Oh, and I switched HiMD's between sets.

[boojum]

Further on the recording: I have made CD's from the three sets and they are pretty good, especially for a first try. Probably not be that lucky again for a long while.

OK, I will also record binaural along with stereo next time. I will use my old MZ-N1 for binaural in SP mode. I have some SoundMan (www.soundman.de) in-ear mics which have been good in the past. Rather than wear them I hope to mount them in a styrofoam dummy's head. Anyone know where they are found???

Thanks

[A440]

a styrofoam dummy's head. Anyone know where they are found???

Besides the White House?

Try "foam head" or "styrofoam head" in eBay.

[boojum]

Besides the White House?

A440 - You are a bad boy! To suggest that someone in the White House even has a head is a very optimistic statement. I do not think we have any proof to demonstrate that the old Yale cheerleader has a brain or a head devoid of a brain.

I was thinking maybe a hairdresser or wig shop, something local. I will call around. Hey, this live "taping" is fun. Looks like it will be "just another addiction." Oh, well, it is legal and not health-threatening. Yessir!

[royalrepis]

Boojum,

I don't know if you have seen this or not. But the guy over at Sonic Studios has what he call's the "Stereo-Surround HRTF LiteGUY". It's kind of pricey, but if you go to web site and check it out it may give you an idea of how to make your own. Here is the link.

http://www.sonicstudios.com/liteguy.htm

[boojum]

Boojum,

I don't know if you have seen this or not. But the guy over at Sonic Studios has what he call's the "Stereo-Surround HRTF LiteGUY". It's kind of pricey, but if you go to web site and check it out it may give you an idea of how to make your own. Here is the link.

http://www.sonicstudios.com/liteguy.htm

Hey, thanks! I have an old pillow which could be shaped and stitched to do the job just fine. Spray paint it black and bingo! another fluff head to run for office. No, another fluff head to record music. New project. Thanks again.

[A440]

I have no idea what makes the Lite Guy worth $1000, but I doubt that it's a regular pillow.

A pillow is soft and will absorb sound. Your head is hard (I hope) and will reflect sound, and those reflections are part of what you want to capture if you use HRTF (head related transfer function, binaural recording with a head).

So there's probably something under the cover of the Lite Guy that's more substantial than feathers or stuffing. Your other idea, about the styrofoam head, would likely give you better fidelity.

Your binaural stand doesn't have to be head-shaped either. Another binaural gadget is called a Jecklin disc: a hard disc with something soft on each side. Could be easier to construct.

Take a look at these:

http://www.core-sound.com/jecklin/1.php

http://maltedmedia.com/people/bathory/jecklin.html

http://www.josephson.com/tn5.html

[boojum]

A440 - these are interesting. There is also one made by some guy in England from two sieves stuffed with absorbant material and wrapped in an old pair of pantyhose. It is pretty head-shaped and there is the Brit kinkiness of the pantyhose; what a deal! That rig is also supposed to be good. A human head is best, of course, but I do not want to sit stark still for an hour or more. Nah. I will try the styrofoam head, but wonder why it is not more used as it is so easy. There has to be a reason folks are making these discs and homebrew marvels. It cannot all be their geek nuttiness, although I am sure that is a part of it.

[A440]

Here are some actual head-shaped ones. No idea what the materials are.

http://www.head-acoustics.de/2p-fra-e.htm

http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/produc...ducts_id=002522

http://www.pugetsoundman.com/articles/stereo/binaural.htm

With omni mics you don't have to stand stock-still, though I don't recommend twirling as you record. You could just get mics with clips and clip them to eyeglasses or mount them in headphones, too.

[boojum]

Perfect A - I have a head at home much like the Neumann KU-100. I got it for free which is good because it sometimes causes me a lot of trouble. It always wants to go where I go and is a pest in that regard. However it is excellent for binaural recording. I have used it with the SoundMan in-ear binaural mics for a glorious recording of a tianguis, or native market, in Ajijic, Jalisco, MX. Even got some binaural publisher to use it and a NPR show, too. How weird is that to happen to a hack like me??

So, I will probably take that tired old head with me along with the SoundMan mics along with its attached MZ-N1 and lay down some SP tracks in binaural while I am laying down tracks in stereo on the RH1, if they symphonic band is rehearsing tonight. If not, I will stay at home and watch a movie or listen to Bach. Bach rules!

Edited January 2, 2007 by boojum

[Nathan P]

I've seen foam heads in art and craft stores, do you have Micheals or Ben Franklins where you live? (Ben Franklins used to be my second favorite store-they had models! The Hobby Store was the first. actually, it still is-useless info over) Anyway, I've seen them around, kids have used them for projects. I've learned that mic placement is critical, and that the individual building makes a big difference too. I recorded in one church from the back, and it sounded great (Other than the 60hz hum from the ground loop grr), I recorded in another church from the back and it just sounded okay because the church was layed out differently, the first was a semicircle and not that deep, the second was very long and basically a big box, so I got a little bit of echoiness.

[boojum]

Have a Michaels or a Ben Franklin's? Sheesh, we do not even have sunlight. We get it pumped in from Portland. ;o)

We have a few arts and crafts stores around and I will check there. Thanks for that info.

Cheers