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Post by terryrocks on Dec 29, 2016 12:38:35 GMT -6
I just received a stereo ribbon mic in blumlein configuration.
how would you use such a mic?
i bought it for an easy to setup stereo room ambient mic, but it's also pretty low noise, so I could definitely use it on acoustic gtrs/mandos/etc.
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Post by terryrocks on Dec 29, 2016 14:18:12 GMT -6
Trying to use it right now on drums about 6ft in front of the kit.
The kick drum is mostly to one side and I can't seem to understand why
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Post by terryrocks on Dec 29, 2016 14:21:38 GMT -6
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Post by drbill on Dec 29, 2016 14:25:00 GMT -6
Capsules / Ribbons should be "facing" 45 degrees left and right from the "front" of the mic. The front of the mic does not have a ribbon facing that direction. That is most likely your problem.
Uses? Pretty much anything - drum OH, drum room, ac guitars, piano, etc.. Good for all....
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Post by terryrocks on Dec 29, 2016 14:52:43 GMT -6
I think i have it lined up that way which is why it's confusing me.
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Post by terryrocks on Dec 29, 2016 14:54:01 GMT -6
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Post by jeremygillespie on Dec 29, 2016 14:55:43 GMT -6
Put on a pair of headphones and move it around until it seems centered.
I use a pair of Fatheads in a Blum mount out in front of the kit and they work great depending on what room the drums are in. Usually have to move it around in order to get things balanced, and then I put a slight amount of hair on them.
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Post by terryrocks on Dec 29, 2016 14:58:25 GMT -6
Biv2 stereo
Paid around $250
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Post by jeremygillespie on Dec 29, 2016 14:59:51 GMT -6
Just for curiosity sake - have you tried switching the sides at the mic pre to see if the problem follows?
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Post by rob61 on Dec 29, 2016 15:05:56 GMT -6
Point the intersection between the two positive sides of your ribbons towards the sound source.
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Post by reddirt on Dec 29, 2016 15:10:22 GMT -6
You have it plugged into 2 separate inputs set at the same level and panned hard left / hard right?
As Jeremy says , if it's not happening then, put on a set of cans and move it till it is ( should be reflected in roughly the same recording level on each track).
Cheers, Ross
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Post by terryrocks on Dec 29, 2016 15:26:12 GMT -6
Thanks guys, i think it's working for me now.
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Post by terryrocks on Dec 29, 2016 15:32:48 GMT -6
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Post by EmRR on Dec 29, 2016 16:33:14 GMT -6
Blumlein is tough close to drums for the reasons you are finding. Not only the lows from the kick itself, but the lows bouncing off the walls can make it tough to center. Many times I go with mid-side instead so as to lock down the center image.
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Post by wiz on Dec 29, 2016 16:42:55 GMT -6
I kinda like it... 8) I know that doesn't help... but it has a very cool vibe... cheers Wiz |
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Post by jazznoise on Dec 29, 2016 21:01:09 GMT -6
Blumlein ribbon OH's has been my go to for years, it's a great natural kit sound. For kit symmetry it's worth imagining an invisible line between the kick and snare, that's your center. It'll never be perfect, drum kits aren't symmetrical anyway, but with close mics it should be fine.
For our new record I've tried going over the top of the kit with a spaced pair. I'm not as big a fan of the stereo spread, but it's cut down on the bleed from the guitar cabs so it's making it easier to mix. Not much help to you, but what I've also opted for is an M/S pair out front a few feet back pointed at the top of the kick drum. Your ribbons can do M/S just fine, you just need to set up an extra channel in your mixer.
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Post by reddirt on Dec 29, 2016 23:55:15 GMT -6
FWIW, hardly anybody talks about the issue of M/S whereby the side info is cancelled when played in mono which can turn your balance to custard depending on how much of the sides you've used as part of your sound; yeah i know , talking about mono is in those murky waters along with analog recorders but we have 2 local radio stations which still broadcast in mono, one of which is ABC, the national broadcaster so I'm wary of using M/S for that reason even though in ideal situations it sounds good.
Something to consider.
Cheers, Ross
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Post by EmRR on Dec 30, 2016 0:05:17 GMT -6
Blumlein in mono can be even uglier. Not always, but....
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Post by jazznoise on Dec 30, 2016 6:59:05 GMT -6
Stereo image collapse isn't a bad thing, esp. if it's planned into the mix. I'll usually make any stereo 'space' verbs deliberately too wide, so that in mono the mix is actually dryer than in stereo. M/S will do similar when used correctly. Turn up the M mic to where it's giving you the tonal balance you want, and then use the S to add width to taste.
As EMRR said, mono compatible mic techniques can actually be worse when summed. I'd always go scooping out some of the low mids on the center of a Blumlein, or it's going to give you havoc in the mono version of a rock mix.
It's not just radio, phones and club systems also suffer with it. In general a mix that does well in mono is 'portable' enough for most situations.
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Post by Ward on Dec 30, 2016 7:49:19 GMT -6
Personally, I love Blumlein... not just for ribbons but condensers in Figure of 8 as well. BL is pretty darned simple. XY stereo with the center axis at 90ยบ
Astounding on 1 main acoustic guitar.
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