Posted by: "Rob Danielson"
> Good point. I also couldn't find any experiments where others have
tried MKH-800's in a boundary-like application. This may also compromise
Curt's boundary (sic) design. I guess we could align the MKH-800
capsules in each mic facing up and down-- that is-- parallel to the
planes of the wooden boards when we strap them on and then try
perpendicular to see what that does. The mannequin head might slip lower
on the list unless someone comes up a promising approach to include.
Actually, MKH-800's are pretty rare. Even MKH-80's are not common. Most
are not used for experimentation.
If you look inside the MKH-800 you will see lots of room around the
diaphragm inside the housing. So it won't do any good to just lay the
mic in a groove in a boundary, at least not in terms of being a boundary
mic. And if you use no groove, you will be adding reflections that
boundary mics are designed to eliminate. Try the alignment and see, who
knows, it might be still another type of mic to discover. My guess is
that perpendicular will pick up reflections that should not be there
even if in a groove. And because of all the room around the diaphragm
even parallel will get reflections off the back of the groove.
Placing the mics in a groove in the SASS would be a bit of machining.
Would definitely butcher a housing. I'd suggest you should widen your
stereo considerations to more than side address mics. Then it gets easy.
Took me only a afternoon to machine shims for the AT3032 to fit in my
SASS/MKH-20 housing to try out. And, of course it could be fitted into a
housing made specifically for it fairly easy. Any end address omni mic
with a straight sided housing would do. That's pretty much true for
experimenting with lots of different boundary designs.
The SASS comes pretty close to what binaural is all about, so I've not
gone too deeply into heads. Though I do have the old Sennheiser head. It
has no ear canals, places the mics at the entrance of the ear canals.
That would not be hard to duplicate with small mics. The real expert on
nature recording with heads is probably Gordon Hempton. Few others use them=
.
> To clarify, I wrote that, "small diaphragm mics like MKH-800's or
MKH-80's in a more remote location could be more definitive." -- not
that the proposed test under discussion would be definitive. Will even
a couple of the observations and questions raised following Bruce's
first test be perceived again or will everything remain just as
questionable?
There is nothing wrong with recording more. Though it's really time to
stop doing limited tests and get out and record real subjects. You will
answer questions better that way. You know the details of the sounds you
are recording much better.
> Most field recordists can only experiment with one stereo set-up at a
time and it takes many trips into the field with the same set-up in
order to sufficiently grasp its strengths and weaknesses. Those eager to
get started with this process receive advice in writing and I see no
harm in providing access to comparative listening tests. I'm all for
bold disclaimers.
That is what I'm saying, we need to make it clear just how little each
of these clarifies. There is a strong tendency to make sweeping
generalizations based on little recording. When it should be the
opposite, limited conclusions based on lots of recording. Being
experienced does involve lots of recording and less generalized conclusions=
.
And I've said all along it takes time and a variety of recording to get
at all familiar with a mic setup. You want to understand a mic setup for
nature recording get out and use your time recording, not back in the
studio.
> If someone's personal investigation into stereo micing options stops
at their first choice, whether based on listening or written advice,
people usually jump in to suggest other options. If comparative tests or
advice encourage persons to buy mics that prove to be unsatisfactory,
they have the same avenue to voice complaints, and often, describe the
shortcomings. If they ready to move along to other mics, the new/resale
price differences of the mics we generally talk about are about the same
as one day's rental. Rob D.
I'm not so sure about people jumping in. Only a few do, often the most
experienced say little.
Rental places are pretty scarce around here. And I expect that's true
for most folks. As I've noted it takes time to really evaluate a mic.
One day's rental won't do it. Most folks do want to make a choice they
can live with the first time. If rentals are available that can help
sometimes. Buying and selling lots of mics does have costs associated
with it.
Yes, there are limitations to how much experienced folks owe to
beginners in the way of help. I try not to mislead as a basic action,
specifically state limitations of what we are talking about.
Particularly when someone appears to not understand the limitations.
Walt
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