VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, AND DOUBLE BASS
Whenever we tracked these instruments, we found that the “sweet spot” was about 10-30
degrees off-angle, at least 1 foot of separation from the instrument (often up to 2.5 feet), with
the microphone “listening” to the gap between the bridge and the fingerboard. Experiment with
slight off-axis response by pointing the microphone towards the f-holes for different timbres.
DRUMS - ROOM AND OVERHEAD
As a room mic, some engineers find it useful to engage the low-frequency rolloff “rumble filter”
switch on the rear of the V13. A spaced pair of VANGUARD V13s will give you detailed, rich drum
overhead tracks.
POLAR PATTERNS
The robust PS-13 power supply uses a 9-position, instant-change popless switch for fast, easy
comparisons which allow the engineer to fine-tune the resulting signal with the most suitable
pattern. The “chicken-head” knob on the pattern selector allows for 3 basic settings, with 6 “in-
between” variations that allow for dialing in just the right setting for your use.
POWER SUPPLY BASIC PATTERNS
Cardioid
The Cardioid setting provides optimum pickup performance from the front, less from the sides,
and the least from the back of the microphone. It is primarily used to allow precise focusing on a
close-miked solo voice or instrument. This pattern allows the minimal amount of room sound to
get into the signal path if working close up.
For even less room sound, select patterns in between
the Cardioid and the Figure-8 setting to narrow the pickup pattern further and vary the distance
of the microphone from the sound source. For more room sound, but a broader pickup axis,
select patterns in between Cardioid and Omni-directional settings.
Cardioid microphones also exhibit “proximity effect”. This is a boost in low frequency response at
close range. For example, a singer that is 1 inch away from the mic will have a much deeper
tone than one 6 inches away.
Keep this in mind, and experiment with microphone distance to
use it to your advantage.
!
CARDIOID
!
OMNI
!
FIGURE OF 8/ BIDIRECTIONAL
©2015 Vanguard Audio Labs, LLC. All rights reserved.
4
