Main Pair - ORTF vs Spaced Omnis?

[jnorman]

I know this has been discussed before, but i thought it might be interesting to revisit it for a moment.

1. For your main pair, for classical or acoustic ensemble (not large orchestra, just ensembles, such as a string quartet, where a single pair is the optimal choice for mic setup), in a decent moderately sized space, do you prefer the more precise image placement of ORTF, or the more diffuse sound of spaced true-pressure omnis?

2. For the example of a string quartet, what would be the average distance from the front of the ensemble where you would set up your main pair?

3. Would your answers to either of the previous questions change if you were to record that same string quartet in the violinist's living room, rather than in a small auditorium?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

[Elk]

Both are nice, although I would probably opt for omnis if the space is good.

For omnis, 15' back, two feet apart, 8-10 feet high. Wider apart if they insist in sitting in a tight "U".

[boojum]

Getting ready for that session, eh? ;o)

I'd run the ORTF about 10" back and 10 - 12' up. I would also run the omni's in a Williams AB array of 40cm at the same place assuming an SRA of 70 - 80 degrees. Then I would pick the better or mix the two, depending. Why not run both? It does not cost any more. ;o)

[John Willett]

I would use an MS rig, ORTF pair or Schneider Disk - I would choose which on the day when I have seen and heard the acoustic space where the concert is going to be.

[Marlan]

It almost always depends on the quality of the room for me.

If I'm at the Academy of Arts and Letters or Purchase recital hall in New York (my two favorite places to record in the NY area), I will almost certainly opt for omnidirectional microphones. My ear prefers the sound that spaced omni's provide.

Sometimes I will also place cardioid spot mics in key areas to bring out certain things my ear likes to hear.

That being said you can get stellar results with ORTF, but I find I prefer the slight directionality over omni's in less desirable acoustic spaces where I can add artificial reverb later. You definitely have more control in post when using an ORTF configuration in my opinion.

In extremely reverberant spaces like cathedrals, I will almost always go for ORTF as a main pair instead of omni's, but I will use omni flank mics (outriggers).