Want to install room mics to live ... suggestions?

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wonder
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Want to install room mics to live ... suggestions?

Post by wonder »

I have a medium sized live room.

Ceilings are about 20' high. I'd love to install room mics that will live there and just hardwire them into my patch bay.

I don't have the budget to spend thousands on a pair of mics ... and if I did, I would want to have access to those mics to use them on other things.
I'd like to get some good sounding mics that will live up there. I've been doing some reading on just using 57s. 57s!!!!??

I have a pair of Fatheads ... but I want to use those on other things so I can't install those to stay.

Anyone found a great secret mic for rooms?
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Re: Want to install room mics to live ... suggestions?

Post by mikehalloran »

I'd like to get some good sounding mics that will live up there. I've been doing some reading on just using 57s. 57s!!!!??
Yikes! Way not enough information but SM-57s aren't ever the answer.

It all depends on the room. I would be looking at Crown PZMs for many rooms. Other rooms should have spaced omnis or cardioids while some should have a stereo array such as XY, near coincident, a stereo ribbon or M/S (not ORTF unless it's a huge room).

You need to read up on all these techniques and see that would work best in your room.
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Re: Want to install room mics to live ... suggestions?

Post by wonder »

I should do sum readin up on them their mikerophones. I'm not a smurt man.
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Re: Want to install room mics to live ... suggestions?

Post by mikehalloran »

The technique will determine the mics. Among the many things you've not mentioned is if live up there means a fixed installation or if you will be able to move them.
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Re: Want to install room mics to live ... suggestions?

Post by HCMarkus »

I second Mr. Halloan's suggestion. PZM-style mics are great for room mics, because you avoid reflection-induced comb-filter issues. I have a single Audio Technica boundary mic residing on the ceiling in my studio's live room. Since it is a distance from the drum kit, a little in the mix goes a long way. If I want to use more than a taste, I will advance the room track in time to align with the close/overhead mics.
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