Microphones microphones again

[Jeanette]

Indeed it will. A window is a lovely, very flat, reflective surface that will reflect sound just like it reflects light. A painted wall will normally reflect more than a papered one, as well.

Isn't music fun? 😉

If anybody had told me learning to play sax would lead to this I'm not sure I would have started, the instrument itself is hard enough. 🙂

But yes all good fun and interesting....

Jx

 

[Pete Thomas]

The room has solid walls and is carpeted, I have experimented with playing with the curtain open, would that make a difference?

It may in regard to mid/high. But I'm not an expert, which is why I paid a lot of money to a consultant for my studio.

In regard to home recording I think the best advice is that if in doubt, don't use omni or figure of 8 mics. Or make you room completely dry, which will be horrible for domestic use.

This kind of thing can be useful though:

Reflexion Filters®

 

[imtzombie]

I'm interested to know why you chose those. if you are relying on reviews, I hope you know that many reviews are totally subjective at best, and totally bogus at worst.

Pete, I am in Hong Kong and we don't have that much variety here to test so I need to order from Amazon or elsewhere to get them. I did see lots of YouTube videos with tests or just casual playing in plain room set up and hence finalized this. Also, looked at Sweetwater for specs to ensure I don't get a low SPL or impedance mic.

That's how the short list came. I do hear concerns on ribbon mics for having a perfect room though, so maybe a LDC better? Not sure. Any comments on any of the above?

 

[Guenne]

Hey,

I don't have a very good room.
Wooden floor, ceiling.
My main recording equipment is Mac, Universal Audio Apollo Twin interface and a Røde NTR Ribbon Mic.
After experimenting a bit I do not find the Røde particularly complicated to handle.
But maybe is is not the most "typical" ribbon.
For my sound and room (and as far as I can trust my ears) it is better than the Neumann TLM 102 or Sennheiser MK4 or Shure SM7B I owned before.

Cheers, Guenne

 

[aldevis]

Røde NTR Ribbon Mic.

Considering the difference in price, how does it compare to the two Nohype you owned?

 

[Juju]

In regard to home recording I think the best advice is that if in doubt, don't use omni or figure of 8 mics. Or make you room completely dry, which will be horrible for domestic use.

I agree, if in doubt, it'll probably be easier with cardioid mics. However, it is possible to use ribbons/ figure of 8 in a small home studio in a room that isn't completely dry. We've recorded 5 saxes (ribbons on all saxes!) plus rhythm section in our tiny studio - all recorded at the same time! We are very happy with the result. Our room has been acoustically treated, but it is not dry, it's just a very pleasant room sound.

 

[Pete Thomas]

We are very happy with the result. Our room has been acoustically treated, but it is not dry, it's just a very pleasant room sound.

Yes, exactly. If it works it's great, but i would not get ribbon without trying t first in the room and not just seeing how it sounds on its own but how it fits into a mix.

 

[c9off]

This kind of thing can be useful though:

Reflexion Filters®

Yes use one with NT2a.. not an instant fix ;-( but then I do have a roof & floor, will removing them help?...

 

[Guenne]

Considering the difference in price, how does it compare to the two Nohype you owned?

Hey @aldevis ,

Less presence, better defined highs, almost like a good condenser.

Cheers

 

[U CAN CALL ME AL]

Anyone using one of these:

Vocal Booth

Or similar? Thought it might solve the figure 8 pattern of a ribbon mic!​

 

[aldevis]

Anyone using one of these:

Vocal Booth

Or similar? Thought it might sole the figure 8 pattern of a ribbon mic!​

That probably solves several microphones in untreated rooms. In my wishlist.

 

[Pete Thomas]

That probably solves several microphones in untreated rooms. In my wishlist.

Yes, if you are having a problem due to room sound with any mic then something like this can help, though for saxophone you might want something larger.

All kinds of things can also help, e.g. hanging up a duvet or blankets. Though unlikely to be as effective as purpose made acoustic enhancement devices.

 

[aldevis]

paintbrushes mower and grandchildren all seem to be there at the same time!

You might have a solution already...

 

[Guenne]

Short comparison Nohype LRM2 Lundahl/Røde NTR, dry:

LRM2/NTR

Cheers, Guenne

 

[U CAN CALL ME AL]

Hi Guenne. Still prefer nohype seems to be more depth to the sound but it's all subjective. Al.

 

[aldevis]

Hi Guenne. Still prefer nohype seems to be more depth to the sound but it's all subjective. Al.

Thanks for keeping my GAS under control....

 

[aldevis]

OK, I made my recording rig operational again, and did some experiments positioning the LRM1.
As long as is it not perpendicular to close walls, the figure 8 does not seems to disturb.
Here it is while I test some (expensive!!!!) saxophone stuff.
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/mics/LRMtest.aif

 

[Newjazz]

hey, really nice playing on the trane matrix! this is the presence that i am looking for in my recordings, however my question is this recording done with some high end pre amps and processing?...... i am just about to pull the trigger on this very mic!

 

[Newjazz]

Hey,

I don't have an ideal acoustic environment at all (as you can see in the clips). Wooden floor, wooden ceiling, relatively low room, bare walls.
I have to say that recording with a Nohype LRM-1 and LRM-2 "cheap" ribbon (especially in the Lundahl version) was a big improvement over a condenser Neumann TLM 102.
The Røde NTR ribbon is again a big improvement. It is expensive (I paid €769,-) but for a non-chinese-made ribbon mic, it is on the cheap side, and I think you can hear it sounds very natural (although the recording loses much due to youtube compression).

Cheers, Guenne

dam, i really wanted to hear these samples but the links dont work!!!

 

[aldevis]

hey, really nice playing on the trane matrix! this is the presence that i am looking for in my recordings, however my question is this recording done with some high end pre amps and processing?...... i am just about to pull the trigger on this very mic!

Nothing expensive. LRM1 (standard transformer) into a reasonable triton pre (some £500, but I am not sure what it does to the sound), into the cheapest scarlett, into Logic.