Microphones microphones again

[aldevis]

Great, but did you go for the Lundahl output transformer?

No. Mr. Nohype recommended me the stock transformer, saying often horn players prefer it to the Lundahl. Considering the price difference I think I did the right thing.

When I'll have a better idea about ribbons, I can start thinking of other customizable option.

 

[aldevis]

Roughly how far away did you have the mic from the instrument?

Between 50 and 150 cm I had various results. Clarinet works better far away, tenor closer. In this recording I think I did not pay much attention. Recording sitting on the chair in front of my computer. It is not ideal, but it is the way I record my sketches.

Did you find positioning harder than say a large diameter condenser mic? I'm particularly interested to know if having the back of the mic close to a wall is an issue or advantage with it being a figure of eight pattern.

I tried few situations on the back of the microphone. It does not make the difference I was expecting. While being off axis on the front does.
But it does not require the player to be immobilized.

If there is ever a need to have the ribbon replaced, is it a back to base job, and is it expensive. The fragility of these ribbons worries me.

If you write Mr. Nohype he can probably give a better reply. I found custom ribbons on the web for less than £50. And transformer for similar prices. Some DIY might be my next project.
For a home studio recordings I don't think there is an issue. Not sure about live, but I am thinking about it...

 

[Juju]

@Aldevis: Sounds very nice!

@ Chris: 50+ cm is ok for a ribbon - you can try it closer but you might get a proximity effect. I wouldn't worry too much about the figure of 8 - you could always stick a sound panel in front of the wall if you are worried about the reflections.
Dave used a pair of Coles as drum overheads a while ago and even though they were very close to the ceiling there was no problem. The only problems is they hear so well, so if you have several instruments in the room you have to deal with a lot of spill...
I really like the figure of eight pattern, I prefer it on some of the large diaphragm condenser mics...

 

[aldevis]

If there is ever a need to have the ribbon replaced, is it a back to base job, and is it expensive. The fragility of these ribbons worries me.

If you write Mr. Nohype he can probably give a better reply.

Mr. Nohype already emailed me that

"Repairs are of course free for a period of 2 years after purchase. The only thing the owner needs to pay is return shipping to Belgium. [...] otherwise after 2 years ribbon replacement is cheap, I haven't had to perform it yet so I'd have to look at the parts cost but it's not much, and an hour of labour for going over the mic. I'm guessing cost for an out of warranty repair would be about 40 Euros Ex VAT. I have always spare ribbon motors (and most other parts) in stock."

Well, great communication indeed. And the advantages of being in the UE: low shipping costs and no custom fees.

 

[Ivan]

I've understood little of the hardware talk but I did very much enjoy the playing

The drum machine? It's the only thing not above criticism

 

[kevgermany]

@ Chris: 50+ cm is ok for a ribbon - you can try it closer but you might get a proximity effect. I wouldn't worry too much about the figure of 8 - you could always stick a sound panel in front of the wall if you are worried about the reflections.

Juju, isn't the sound panel going to cause it's own reflections - or do you mean something sound absorbing?

 

[Ivan]

Juju, isn't the sound panel going to cause it's own reflections - or do you mean something sound absorbing?

You have to wear a paneled suit

Fashioned from egg boxes

I think that's right

 

[kevgermany]

Aldevis, the sound is amazing, especially for the price.

I'm not up on recording, how do you get the mic into the computer - through a USB mixer? I guess you won't be plugging it directly into a digital recorder like a zoom?

 

[aldevis]

Aldevis, the sound is amazing, especially for the price.

I'm not up on recording, how do you get the mic into the computer - through a USB mixer? I guess you won't be plugging it directly into a digital recorder like a zoom?

I guess that a zoom (with a xlr) would do, if there is enough gain. I used a 2 inputs Focusrite Scarlett, the cheapest one, but the fethead helped..
About reflections, I tried few options (foam to glass) but I feel positioning makes a bigger difference. It is a funny object that I still have to fully understand. The in phase/ counter phase reflection can be an interesting subject.

 

[Juju]

Juju, isn't the sound panel going to cause it's own reflections - or do you mean something sound absorbing?

Yes, something sound absorbing is what I meant 🙂

 

[Ivan]

Yes, something sound absorbing is what I meant 🙂

Ha ha I knew it!



Egg boxes




Now to find a creative tailor...

 

[Koen88]

I'm using a PRA superlux bought at thomann
http://www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_pra383_d.htm?sid=a2c3937c03bdc581bf9b9150998a03f8

says its specialy designed for wind instruments... and theres nothing wrong with it, using it in a band for... 5 years now I guess? and I'm using it since a year or 2 for home recording..

sound is good.. and only for 47 pounds!

 

[rhysonsax]

I also acquired a Fethead. It allows my Focusrite Scarlett to work at a more comfortable gain. It feels like it sounds better, but I have not done any serious comparison.

Comments and questions are welcome.

Really nice sounds and incredibly value for that quality of mic.

What Fethead are you using and what does the mic sound like into the Focusrite with and without the Fethead ?

Rhys

 

[Guenne]

Hey,

I have ordered 2 LRM1 (one with stock transformer, one with Lundahl).
I have recorded a sample with both, without Fethead (got me the normal one and the filter version which I will test next week).
Interface is a Apogee Duet for iPad and Mac. It is working in the same "gain area" (40-45) as my dynamic Shure SM7B does.
Recordings are completely dry, no Compressor, Reverb or the like.
(ADMIN EDIT: Dead media link removed)

Cheers,
Guenne

 

[aldevis]

What Fethead are you using and what does the mic sound like into the Focusrite with and without the Fethead ?

Rhys

In the meantime I've learned a few more things and tried the real deal in my recent studio recoding (we are talking of £10k worth of equipment, between my horn and the recording device)

The Scarlett does not have excessively good preamps, the Apogee is allegedly better on this concern.
The fethead takes the signal to a level that allows the Scarlett to work at its best. Without it, I had to turn the gain on a lot, and the sound quality became a bit cloudy.
Currently I am looking at a separate better preamp, but £500 is the starting point.

 

[Guenne]

In the meantime I've learned a few more things and tried the real deal in my recent studio recoding (we are talking of £10k worth of equipment, between my horn and the recording device)

The Scarlett does not have excessively good preamps, the Apogee is allegedly better on this concern.
The fethead takes the signal to a level that allows the Scarlett to work at its best. Without it, I had to turn the gain on a lot, and the sound quality became a bit cloudy.
Currently I am looking at a separate better preamp, but £500 is the starting point.

Hey,

Juju recommended AEA TRP ....

Cheers,
Guenne

 

[Colin the Bear]

Maan ! You guys. A whole year of a gap and you carry on like it was yesterday.

 

[aldevis]

Hey,

Juju recommended AEA TRP ....

Cheers,
Guenne

I was tempted, but I am after something that I might use on my other microphones too, something with valves...

 

[aldevis]

Maan ! You guys. A whole year of a gap and you carry on like it was yesterday.

Microphone gas usually hits in September/October

 

[kevgermany]

Maan ! You guys. A whole year of a gap and you carry on like it was yesterday.

Always the way between friends