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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Simpson Microphones thread.
Post Subject: Questions sent to AndyPosted by Jim Smith on: 10/23/2007
I have been in contact with Andy.
He replied to my first e-mail but for some reason, not to my e-mail with basic questions, reprinted below.
I seem to have misunderstood about the mic capsule being a ribbon. But most of the questions were still valid.
I asked:
Hi Andy,
I had almost no luck getting your server to download.
It took entirely too long and I have high speed service here.
Therefore, I didn't get to hear the string sound of the quartet recording.
I did finally manage to hear the symphonic selection with ORTF technique.
I assumed the mics used were cardiod patterns simply because that's what's called for with that technique.
May I ask a few very simple questions?
What is the diameter of the ribbon element? (This was my mistake re ribbon mics - but the diameter of the mic capsule is still very relevant)
How much latitude does the ribbon give with vertical/horizontal mic angle? I mean - assuming placement in front of the orchestra - do you have to aim exactly at some point, say, at just above the strings, etc, the percussion section, etc. (The high frequencies were rolled off - almost progressively as if the mics used large diaphragm capsules and were too far off-axis)
How far back and how high over the stage was the ORTF mic array on the symphonic piece? (I was wondering if the mics were too far back [reduced presence and life], and therefore too far off-axis, resulting in reduced high-frequency energy)
When you say ORTF, what is the included angle and separation of capsules? (Similar thoughts to above - I know the answer - I just wanted to see what he said)
Do you strictly employ the original Radio France standard, or something else (such as a variant of NOS)? (Again, similar)
Do you also make the ribbon available as a figure eight? (My ribbon mistake again)
Do you introduce bass eq post recording? (Here I was wondering if the roll-off in response at 50 Hz or so was due to the cardiod pattern, or if he had some other thoughts. It's a pretty safe statement to say that only ominis have flat response all the way down in the bass. I wonderd if he thought he had corrected for the cardiod bass roll-off.)
Who engineered this recording? (I admit that I wasn't enamoured with the recording and simply wondered if it was done by someone with little experience with ORTF techniques)
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