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Recording Microphones
Different Microphone Polar Patterns
| Polar pattern | Characteristics |
| Omni | Picks up signal all round |
| Cardioid | Picks up mainly in front (and a little off-axis sound from side and back) |
| Hyper Cardioid | Same as Cardioid but more focussed |
| Figure of 8 | Picks up front and back (with a little off-axis from the side) |
Sony C-100: choice of OMNI, CARDIOID or FIGURE of 8
Many microphones have only one polar pattern. Some microphones can switch between the various patterns.
Cardioid (and hyper cardioid)
This is the most common pattern used for recording pop and rock, when close miking instruments or vocals. Used when separation is necessary, or to avoid excessive room ambience. Very close miking with cardioid pattern tends to create a proximity effect which adds bass. A pop shield is usually required on vocals. The off-axis (side and back) signal, though low in level, is not cut out completely and can add unnatural sound, especially hyper cardioid. Hyper cardioid may also cause problems with sibilance. Note that hypercardioid has a small amount of rear pickup.Omni
Often sounds more natural than cardioid, especially if you want room ambience and separation is not an issue (i.e. the acoustic balance between performers is good and will not require rebalancing in the mix). Omni can sound better than cardioid and can be used when separation or very dry recording is required but requires more care. You may need to place the mic extremely close or deaden the room by hanging drapes etc.Figure of 8 (bi-directional)
Often sounds more natural than cardioid, as with omni. Useful for two singers on one mic facing each other, or special techniques such as placing between a guitar amp and a reflective surface.Mono or Stereo?
With multitrack recording several mono and/or stereo sources are processed and ultimately combined to create a final stereo mix. Often single vocals and many instruments are recorded in mono, the tracks are then panned to varying degrees of left, centre or right in the stereo image. (NB: This is not true stereo which represents the natural panorama of the sound as recorded by two microphones - see below - but it allows an enormous degree of control). Larger instruments or combinations are often recorded in stereo, the resulting track can either be balanced or panned to either side, or left in the middle of the final stereo image. If it is panned left or right the stereo image of the track will obviously become narrower as it is panned further to one side or the other.The fewer instruments being used in the final mix, the more useful stereo recording becomes: if the instrumentation consists of acoustic guitar, congas and vocals, then the congas and acoustic guitar will definitely benefit from being recorded in stereo whether they are recorded simultaneously or overdubbed. Even if the sound source is quite contained and appears to be highly mono, the room ambience is always stereo and if you want to use it in the recording it is a good idea to record in stereo. Generally lead vocals are recorded with the microphone quite close in order to minimise room ambience, and the sound source (the mouth) is relatively small, so usually a mono recording is fine, though stereo mics could be used.
STEREO RECORDING
True stereo recording uses two identical microphones, usually set up in one of the following ways:| Coincident pair | Cardioid mics placed together pointing out at 90 degrees |
| Spaced omni | Omni mics place apart . The distance depends on size of instrument or group, you need to experiment: too close and the stereo image will be rather narrow, too far apart and there will be a hole in the middle. I have seen some engineers use three or more microphones for a very wide image with no hole. |
| MS (Mid and Sides) | One cardioid or figure of 8 mic facing forward with a figure of 8 mic sideways. The side mic is split into two channels out of phase with each other. (You can do this with the Direction Mixer plugin on Logic ) |
MS recording with two bi-directional mics
When recording in stereo via a mixing desk, pan one channel hard left, the other hard right on the desk (unless the desk has dedicated stereo channel strips. Set the audio track object in Logic to stereo. This will record a single interleaved audio (wav, aif or SD2) file.
In addition to true stereo, several mono microphones or other audio sources (eg sound modules, electric guitar) can be panned to any position in the stereo image and combined using the stereo submix of the desk.
This method can also be combined with true stereo. When recording rock and pop drumkits, it is very common to use several mono microphones on individual drums along with a stereo pair of overheads. The overhead mics record the kit as a whole instruments, often emphasising the ride and crash cymbals along with a certain amount of room ambience depending on their position.
Typical multi-mic drum setups:
| Stereo pair | Live sound, good for jazz. Not good for powerful bass drum and snare sounds |
| Stereo pair, snare and bass drum | Good for live sounding rock and jazz where snare and bass drum require beefing up |
| Mic on each drum | Dry kit sound. Good when level of individual drums must be controllable in mix) |
| Mic on each drum and stereo overheads | Good for maximum control of total kit in mix. |
0 Replies
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3001 views
I can't even suss out what the benefit might be.
It's outside the box - will give them that. 😀
Not a P. Mauriat hater - one of my backup altos is their Black Pearl and it's a really great looking horn but not really sure what they are going for here.
R&C beats them for efficiency. They are claiming Two Voices from only one bell lol...
It's outside the box - will give them that. 😀
Not a P. Mauriat hater - one of my backup altos is their Black Pearl and it's a really great looking horn but not really sure what they are going for here.
R&C beats them for efficiency. They are claiming Two Voices from only one bell lol...
0 Replies
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8 views
Beginner Saxes Arbiter pro sound... Taiwan.
just got myself a Arbiter pro sound sax, it stamped Taiwan and s/n 481296, someone said it was from about 1988 as it not stamped London... plays really well and I really like it a lot just wanting to know more about it as information seems very scarce...
20 Replies
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5127 views
So given September marks the start of Autumn, let’s have a tune that amazingly hasn’t been done yet: Autumn Leaves!
It’s a great standard for learning to improvise, with a beautiful melody demonstrating great voice leading and relatively easy harmony to understand.
Some classic recordings:
View: https://youtu.be/tguu4m38U78?is=6zKX4L-i3egwzieu
View: https://youtu.be/by4Cr3kPNPg?is=7mN5sI0y4w-9HHm5
View: https://youtu.be/a-I1jHokbl8?is=9k6tPG-7yT_3UwdP
View: https://youtu.be/Gsz3mrnIBd0?is=Aeu-S8IXURB0I9Xf
And Eva Cassidy also did an amazing interpretation of the song, showing just where you can take it:
View: https://youtu.be/xXBNlApwh0c?is=HPckcaa_NhYsKS4l
I’ll post lead sheets and so on shortly; tons of backing tracks available on YouTube etc.
It’s a great standard for learning to improvise, with a beautiful melody demonstrating great voice leading and relatively easy harmony to understand.
Some classic recordings:
And Eva Cassidy also did an amazing interpretation of the song, showing just where you can take it:
I’ll post lead sheets and so on shortly; tons of backing tracks available on YouTube etc.
25 Replies
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2195 views
Saxophones Pork Tales: Saxophone Repair DIY Adventures.
Tales from a pig that likes to stick his nose into everything.
Paint that S. How difficult could it be ?
1) Search the net.
2) Find the color.
3) Order color.
4) Study task on University of YouTube, aka; For destruction by DYI presented by pro tech.
Do the cleaning & prep.
Paint and cleanup / detail the edges with hard cotton swabs. Sounds easy……
Yeah tha guy Matt makes it look easy.
Anyone remember your first experience cooking bacon crispy while still in the frying pan !
Paint that S. How difficult could it be ?
1) Search the net.
2) Find the color.
3) Order color.
4) Study task on University of YouTube, aka; For destruction by DYI presented by pro tech.
Do the cleaning & prep.
Paint and cleanup / detail the edges with hard cotton swabs. Sounds easy……
Yeah tha guy Matt makes it look easy.
Anyone remember your first experience cooking bacon crispy while still in the frying pan !
1105 Replies
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63382 views
Miscellaneous Is AI taking over!
I just made this with AI today (inspired by my daughters recent wedding) and was totally mind blown... The song itself, band, singer and sax solos were just too good... There's no future for humans in music if this is just the early stages!
Walk her to forever
Walk her to forever
647 Replies
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27842 views
Cafe Moderator
Commercial
Playing the saxophone What are the most common problems. Either for yourself or students if you teach?
I know what mine are (or were) what about yours?
Originally I think it was tuning but I probably wasn’t aware - which is another problem in itself.
Another one was finding my playing was inconsistent so it was difficult sometimes to pin down issues.
Originally I think it was tuning but I probably wasn’t aware - which is another problem in itself.
Another one was finding my playing was inconsistent so it was difficult sometimes to pin down issues.
choose up to 4 common problems you have experienced, either you or your students?
16 votes total
23 Replies
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380 views
TV/film/books Do you read books?
Do you read books in any form, hardcover, paperback, on an e-book reader, online, on a tablet or phone?
I just ordered a hardcover book to try to get back into reading, because I read one novel in the past year. I also have saxophone and music books, but I didn't read any of them all the way through in any given time. An author friend gives me books, none of which I have gotten far into. It's a little like giving a musician music. It doesn't always work out.
- Fiction, non-fiction, saxophone or music only, cheap detective novels, sci-fi, romance, western, mystery, self-help, cooking?
- Novels, anthologies, essay collections, tech manuals (like books about Photoshop and such)?
I just ordered a hardcover book to try to get back into reading, because I read one novel in the past year. I also have saxophone and music books, but I didn't read any of them all the way through in any given time. An author friend gives me books, none of which I have gotten far into. It's a little like giving a musician music. It doesn't always work out.
Do you read books?
40 votes total
143 Replies
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6861 views
Miscellaneous watches
Before I subscribe a forum about watches, where I will realize that only expensive pieces made in 1962-63 are worth wearing,
is anyone knowledgeable about automatic watches and straps?
is anyone knowledgeable about automatic watches and straps?
884 Replies
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29560 views
Miscellaneous Photography - all aspects
Following various recent posts, I thought I would create a thread specifically for photography. Somewhere to talk about equipment, experiences, processing...
To start off, I was a Nikon user for over 40 years, but had to 'down size' as handling full-frame cameras and lenses was getting to be too much like hard work and giving me shoulder issues. My current digital camera is a mirrorless Fuji X-T5.
For film cameras, I have a Pentax MX, Mamiya RB67, and a Sinar F2.
To start off, I was a Nikon user for over 40 years, but had to 'down size' as handling full-frame cameras and lenses was getting to be too much like hard work and giving me shoulder issues. My current digital camera is a mirrorless Fuji X-T5.
For film cameras, I have a Pentax MX, Mamiya RB67, and a Sinar F2.
376 Replies
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13952 views
Miscellaneous Motorbikes
Señor Pig,
Would like to know more about this bike/side car.
More pics?
Thanks.
Might make a side car for the kids and grandkids, for the '79 XT500, if they buy a ranch/farm in the Rockies.
Off road only.
Would like to know more about this bike/side car.
More pics?
Thanks.
Might make a side car for the kids and grandkids, for the '79 XT500, if they buy a ranch/farm in the Rockies.
Off road only.
52 Replies
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1455 views
Tech/maintenance Abalone key pearls
Needed to order from Amazon so I added a set of these to see what they're like: Bnineteenteam Key Buttons for Alto Sax, 9pcs Sax Abalone Shell Key Buttons Saxophone Key Button for soprano, alto and tenor saxophones : Amazon.co.uk: Books
Not expecting much. Most of the "real shell" pearls I've looked at seem to be covered in acrylic which means they're no different than a plastic key surely?
Anyway... for a fiver it's worth a go. Let you know what they're like once they arrive.
Not expecting much. Most of the "real shell" pearls I've looked at seem to be covered in acrylic which means they're no different than a plastic key surely?
Anyway... for a fiver it's worth a go. Let you know what they're like once they arrive.
122 Replies
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8329 views
Saxophones Selmer no longer supreme!
Okay so I was saddened when I saw this video today and a little shocked but not all that surprised.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PYOU5SgysM
One of my favourite players Eric Alexander has moved to a Chinese brand saxophone. Can I blame him? No as I have done the same and most of my playing buddies have cashed out of the high end French and Japanese horns. They cannot justify the investment on return and these are gigging musicians who say it just doesn't matter!
I just booked a friend and a killer alto player for a gig this past weekend. He now sells insurance, he gave up gigging a few years ago but jumped at the offer of $400.00 for an hour wedding gig. Insurance sales are not paying the bills. He has sold off all his expensive Yamahas and now has Eastern music horns.
How many young players are on Chinese or Taiwan horns these days?
The times they are a changing - sell your VI's because the up and comers won' be lusting after them. 😎
Introducing our newest BetterSax artist, Eric Alexander!
One of my favourite players Eric Alexander has moved to a Chinese brand saxophone. Can I blame him? No as I have done the same and most of my playing buddies have cashed out of the high end French and Japanese horns. They cannot justify the investment on return and these are gigging musicians who say it just doesn't matter!
I just booked a friend and a killer alto player for a gig this past weekend. He now sells insurance, he gave up gigging a few years ago but jumped at the offer of $400.00 for an hour wedding gig. Insurance sales are not paying the bills. He has sold off all his expensive Yamahas and now has Eastern music horns.
How many young players are on Chinese or Taiwan horns these days?
The times they are a changing - sell your VI's because the up and comers won' be lusting after them. 😎
13 Replies
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472 views
Introduction Gizmo is here
Hey
I'm Gizmo. The owner joined my forum so thought I would join this one.
😀
I'm Gizmo. The owner joined my forum so thought I would join this one.
😀
13 Replies
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143 views
R & B, Blues, Soul Recommended Blues Listening
My teacher has suggested trying to improvise over a blues progression.
For various reasons I've barely touched my saxes since, I'm after some listening recommendations to give me a little bit of inspiration.
So what should I be listening to?
For various reasons I've barely touched my saxes since, I'm after some listening recommendations to give me a little bit of inspiration.
So what should I be listening to?
14 Replies
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241 views
Saxophones Playing at Old people’s home
Evening,
I have been asked to play at a local old people’s home for a coffee morning for a hour. It’s for ages 65 up. The question is how many songs should I aim for and how long ie a hour straight of 2 , 25 minute sets with a short break.
I will be playing old Jazz ballads.
Thank you Paul
I have been asked to play at a local old people’s home for a coffee morning for a hour. It’s for ages 65 up. The question is how many songs should I aim for and how long ie a hour straight of 2 , 25 minute sets with a short break.
I will be playing old Jazz ballads.
Thank you Paul
77 Replies
·
5635 views
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