Headband Style Microphones

Gary Gray · 24th May 2007

Hello All,

I've got to record a large scale stage production with band, orchestra and choir. There are five operatic singers. What is my best choice of headband style mic to combine the best vocal quality with the best rejection of stage sound.

Thanks,

Gary

Jim vanBergen · 25th May 2007

Well, my $0.02 is that if they are operatic singers, they don't need headworn mics...but its YOUR gig. So...

DPA 4088 microphones have excellent rejection, are neutral and excellent sounding, are very small, and are cardioid. They can work well for FOH and recording splits.

I also like omni DPA 4065 and Sennheiser MKE-2 red dot (gold).

Hope this helps!

Jvb

Nistov · 25th May 2007

Like Jim says, DPA performs well. The cardioid might give you less spill but on the other hand it's a lot more difficult to place - too close and you will end up with a lot of plosives, too retracted and it will just sound off-axis. I prefer the omnis.

And an alternative omni is the Countryman E6i. It sounds a bit better in the HF area (the DPA does not fare well with s-sounds) and it is slightly smaller and thus less visually obstructive. The downside is that the "single-ear design" does not work as well as the DPA that wraps around the back of the head and positions the headband firmly. This latter point is obviously more important if the performers are very "physical" in their movements - and if so the Countryman often needs a bit of tape behind the ear just to secure the position. The DPA stays put at all times.

Gaute

24th May 2007	#1
Gary Gray Gear interested Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 21 Thread Starter	Headband Style Microphones Hello All, I've got to record a large scale stage production with band, orchestra and choir. There are five operatic singers. What is my best choice of headband style mic to combine the best vocal quality with the best rejection of stage sound. Thanks, Gary

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dynamic Plugins - Do you prefer analog style or clean style?	pigcat	Music computers	3	18th May 2007 06:23 PM
Mixing Style	bionic brown	Q &A with Russell Elevado	2	24th March 2007 02:27 PM
What's this style of music called?	I.R.Baboon	Rap + Hip Hop engineering & production	3	20th November 2006 10:55 AM
Neve 33609 going out of style or what?	Dirty Halo	High end	13	28th September 2006 05:36 PM
island style	toledo3	Work In Progress / Advice Requested / Show & Tell / Artist Showcase / Mix-Offs	1	28th May 2005 06:19 PM

25th May 2007	#2
Jim vanBergen Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: New York Friggin' City Posts: 2,562	Well, my $0.02 is that if they are operatic singers, they don't need headworn mics...but its YOUR gig. So... DPA 4088 microphones have excellent rejection, are neutral and excellent sounding, are very small, and are cardioid. They can work well for FOH and recording splits. I also like omni DPA 4065 and Sennheiser MKE-2 red dot (gold). Hope this helps! Jvb

25th May 2007	#3
Nistov Gear interested Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Norway Posts: 6	Like Jim says, DPA performs well. The cardioid might give you less spill but on the other hand it's a lot more difficult to place - too close and you will end up with a lot of plosives, too retracted and it will just sound off-axis. I prefer the omnis. And an alternative omni is the Countryman E6i. It sounds a bit better in the HF area (the DPA does not fare well with s-sounds) and it is slightly smaller and thus less visually obstructive. The downside is that the "single-ear design" does not work as well as the DPA that wraps around the back of the head and positions the headband firmly. This latter point is obviously more important if the performers are very "physical" in their movements - and if so the Countryman often needs a bit of tape behind the ear just to secure the position. The DPA stays put at all times. Gaute