Surround mic alternatives...

[lampmeister]

Hi people,
I guess like others here I'm interested in surround recording, ambisonics and Soundfield mics. Recently I've come across a couple of alternatives to Soundfield:

The Line Audio QM12i

Core Sound Tetramic

Both look interesting but I've never used (or even seen in the flesh) either of these so I'm just letting you guys know that they exist. If anyone does have experience of using either of these then talk to us!

Of course, if there are other surround-mic's out there then feel free to post links.

Cheers!

[T.RayBullard]

[tenor39]

I agree with Teddy about the Holophone. They used it a few years ago for part of the Super Bowl halftime show and it completely blew away the A-1's mix of the stage + stadium mic's. The larger one can be used in 10.1 if that floats your boat!

[lampmeister]

Ah yes, I was aware of the Holophone...and the price.

[Yannick]

DS 60

or a double MS with MKH series microphones (see image)
(both can be augmented with a AB couple 3-5m into the hall)

[mr.gefell]

Milab SRND360

[Kewl]

Originally Posted by lampmeister

Recently I've come across a couple of alternatives to Soundfield: The Line Audio QM12i, Core Sound Tetramic. If anyone does have experience of using either of these then talk to us!

A week ago, we did a comparative surround recording between a Line Audio QM12i and a SoundField ST350.

There's a report with pictures here. Audio samples to be posted soon.

- Daniel

[huub]

dpa has a new surround mic, no ideaaaa how it works or how it sounds,
but anything by dpa is usually good.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Yannick

or a double MS with MKH series microphones (see image)
(both can be augmented with a AB couple 3-5m into the hall)

If the front is an MKH 800 TWIN you can do this with two microphones - the TWIN and an MKH 30.

[Martin Kantola]

It seems DPA is basically using the same idea as the Holophone with omnidirectional capsules mounted on a... well... shape. But they've done something more too. Heard a comparison of different surround microphones at AES last year and the Holophone sounded very colored to me, kind of low-fi actually. Expecting the DPA to be much better.

The prototype microphone I've built does surround from a single microphone, please see the panphonic link below for some pics and sound samples.

Martin

[boojum]

There is also the Schoeps DMS setup. As I have the two Mk4's and an Mk8 already it is the way for me to go. The decoder is a piece of free software as a plugin for either PC as a VST plugin or a new one for Mac.

I am trying to construct a DMS setup without resorting to the wonderful but very expensive Schoeps gear. I may have to succumb. It does look like a very good way to go.

[Roland]

I was sent a Holophone demo disc and personally felt very underwhelmed by it. Some of the recordings sounded distorted and the surround recordings were (IMHO) less than stellar. I think for an all in one solution the Soundfield is by far the best I've heard, double MS work's but requires you to do the decoding yourself, the Schoeps plugin should work ok, but I haven't figured out how to use it with my Pyramix system yet.

Regards


Roland

[David Rick]

How about a single-point surround "microphone" that sounds like a DPA (or Schoeps) omni, but images better than a Soundfield? Yup, it's the Trinnov Surround Recording Platform.

I've attached pictures of the mic rig and the resulting pan law. Because Trinnov uses 5th-order spherical harmonics (vs. 1st-order for the Soundfield and double M/S) there's actually real separation between L-C-R. In most systems you're better off just ignoring the center speaker, but here it is actually useful.

Caveat: The required signal processing box costs nearly as much as the mics. I've decided to just rent it when needed.

David L. Rick
Seventh String Recording

[boojum]

That looks a lot like seven DPA 4006's to me. I shudder at the cost. I am curious just what the market is for sound recorded in this manner. Who buys it? At least one shiftless mind wants to know.

[sonare]

An EXCELLENT question-- how many in this forum doing classical work have clients asking for (and more importantly PAYING for) surround work?

I have a large organ and brass project in April that will be released in stereo but we are recording it using the DPA S5 and 5015 mic kit (plus other mics) to enable a surround mix to be done later for one-off DVDs. Watch this space in 7 months for pics and details.

Rich

[Yannick]

Originally Posted by John Willett

If the front is an MKH 800 TWIN you can do this with two microphones - the TWIN and an MKH 30.

I know, but then I would have to buy a MKH800 twin wouldn't I

It's on the list, but currently we are building a new mastering room to be able to listen to these surround recordings - properly.