While this is not technically a natural sound issue, Romilly, it
sounds to me like the problem is basically two-fold.
First, the MKH 20s are not the best to use for piano/voice live
recordings particularly when you are mic'ing them some distance from
the source where too much room noise is present. For this type of
recording I would opt for either a matched pair of Neumann KM 84s or
Schoeps 541s (both cardioid types) in an XY pattern for transparent
results.
Second, you need to experiment to find the "sweet spot" in the room
where, through your earphones or on a test playback, the sound sounds
right to you. This position will vary from room to room.
Bernie Krause
>I've put up a sample made at one of our recording sessions with a
>hired pair of Sennheiser mkh 20s (omnis) and am totally baffled by the
>poor quality. I'd be really grateful if anyone with experience of
>these mics could suggest what may be wrong - eg could they be damaged,
>or am I doing something stupid (only too possible!). It *sounds* like a
>malfunction.
>
>The file is on
>http://www.godsownclay.com/Microphones/sennheisermkh20.html
>
>where it's compared with the AT 3032, which performed very nicely.
>More details of the set-up on that page. Only recommended for
>broadband users as it's a 3.1Mb mp3. My email address is given there
>so discussion doesn't have to fill these pages.
>
>The recording is so depressing I can hardly summon enthusiasm to take
>them outside next week, as I was looking forward to doing.
>
>Thanks, romillyh
>
>
>
>
>
>"Microphones are not ears,
>Loudspeakers are not birds,
>A listening room is not nature."
>Klas Strandberg
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
--
Wild Sanctuary
P. O. Box 536
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
t. 707-996-6677
f. 707-996-0280
http://www.wildsanctuary.com
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