Since guitar amplifier speakers are often beamy, experiment with
mic placement to find just the right spot. Placing the mic at greater
distances from the speaker cabinet adds more room ambience to
the mix. You will find that the R-122V does not add undesirable
elements to the sound. Basically, what you hear at the amp is
what you get in the control room and in your recordings.
Choirs and Orchestras can be picked up well using a pair of R-
122V's. Place the microphones at a height of ten feet or so and
a few feet behind the conductor. The microphones should be
spaced apart approximately one foot and angled, one toward the
left and one toward the right, or in the classic Blumlein
configuration (see page 21).
Drums and Percussion instruments sound full-bodied and natural
when recorded with a pair of R-122Vs. For a drum set, placing
the microphone(s) at a distance of four to six feet above the kit
works very well without making the cymbals sound splattered.
A kick drum should be miked at a distance of at least 18 inches
and possibly used in conjunction with a pop filter to prevent
excessive ribbon movement. If the front head has a hole cut in
it, position the microphone away from the hole to avoid excessive
air blasts. An R-122V used as a mono room mic, four to six feet
in front of the kit and compressed, will yield a surprisingly large,
full drum sound.
For closer miking of a kick drum (10 to 18 inches), the microphone
should be leaned forward at a 45-degree angle to protect the
ribbon element from excessive plosive forces (See Example 3).
This microphone position also provides good kick drum isolation
because the top of the microphone, which does not pick up sound,
is aimed at the rest of drum kit.
Recording Loud or Plosive Sounds
With all ribbon microphones, wind is the enemy! Air movement
is far more damaging to ribbon microphones than high SPL’s.
Some sound sources can generate powerful blasts of air that
should be avoided. Kick drums and electric guitar and bass
cabinets are typical examples of sound sources that can produce
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Summary of Contents for R-122V
Page 31: ...Polar Pattern Frequency Response 30 ...
Page 32: ...Notes 31 ...
