> I was wondering if anyone has tried using two Sennheiser ME66 to capture =
in stereo the morning chorus of birds.
Tom,
My standard wildlife rig is two MKH 416's which are similar to the ME66 in=
response. I did a lot of experimentation and testing and finished up with a=
15 to 20 degree angle with effectively coincident capsules.
The problem with using gunmics off-axis is that the side responsesa are ver=
y
variable and that is why I found a narrower angle produced a better centre=
image. Left and right are roughly twice the separation angle, but all of
these parameters can be checked with the shaking peanuts test. You set thet=
rig up on a non-reflective surface like grass and walk 360 degrees around i=
t
rig shaking a canister of nuts and calling out angles.
I use the concept of sonels or "sound pixels" to describe the image of a
stereo rig. Ideally on a walkaround you should be able to distinguish nine=
sonels between full left and full right, but that is pushing it. Five sonel=
s
should be possible to distinguish - left; half left; centre; half right;
right. The four in-betweens are a bonus.
I also made the discovery that the rig sounded best on the ground and I've=
since found that applies to many other mic rigs as well. Mic stands are for=
speaking, singers and instrumentalists. also the mic and windshields don't=
blow over down low.
I also tried separating the mics so the capsules were not directly above
each other but separated. The clear left and right sweet spots went fuzzy
and the off-centre image was poor.
The great benefit of the crossed gunmic rig are greater rejection of tree
noise and ground echoes, good rear rejection and an x-y type signal which
can be post mixed and varied. People forget about top and bottom mic
responses. For instance ground echoes can produce a distinct hollow effect=
with height.
There are recordings and more on the rig on:
www.stowford.org/recordings.htm
and the peanut test on:
http://www.stowford.org/recordings.htm#stereotest
David Brinicombe
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