Hi Kim--
The AT822 (with 24dBA self noise and low output
(6mV/Pa) is probably too noisy for recording
ambience- -except exclusively for loud, urban
locations. We bought 30 Rode NT4's for the (film)
school and they have been fairly popular. One
must buy or make a good shock mount (as the Rode
manual also states), the stereo image is often
quite compressed towards the center (see Tom's
last post for a good example) and the 1/8"
miniplug cable needs to be modified (no big deal
here). There are a few better, quiet single-point
stereo mics but they're really expensive.
Personally, I wouldn't use an NT-4 to record
ambience because its a challenge to create a
sense of expanse with one. Might have to do with
coincident X-Y configuration, but its fixed. The
NT-4 is better for stereo micing of close to very
close sound sources. If you're after something
reasonably compact, a SASS fixture or a barrier
similar to Curt's recent rig with AT3032's might
be worth considering. Omni-directional mics are
usually preferred for ambience; the two single
point mics you mention are cardioids. Rob D.
At 3:10 PM -0700 6/5/06, Kim Cascone wrote:
>question: I looking for a good single-point stereo mic for recording=A0
>film ambiances
>
>which mic would people suggest (based on low noise, high sensitivity,=A0
>etc) and/or which is the better mic?
>
>Audio Technica AT822 -or- Rode NT4
>
>
>
>"Microphones are not ears,
>Loudspeakers are not birds,
>A listening room is not nature."
>Klas Strandberg
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
--
Rob Danielson
Peck School of the Arts
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-art-tech-gallery/
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