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Mic ‘The Situation’
One of the biggest skills a recording engineer can have is good mic selection and placement. Well, we can’t help you place ‘em, but we sure can help you pick ‘em. Rob Hughes rounds a few models up…
I
feel I should begin with an explanation of the title for those of you who aren’t avid Jersey Shores viewers. I find this show about as interesting as a breezeblock, but I keep hearing these words floating around down the pub and have been puzzled as to why my friend, who struggles to attach the speakers to his Sony hi-fi, would be even remotely interested in the finer points of using microphones. But it turns out that Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino is a character from this most desperate of TV shows, whose abs are so defined that “they cause situations with ladies”. This, I think you’ll agree, is about as far removed from the practice of positioning a mic as you’re likely to get. I mean, I’m sure Mike spends a lot of time trying to position something, but I doubt it’s a mic. Anyway, this whole thing puts me in mind of mic placement, something infinitely more interesting than Mike’s abs. I won’t go into this tricky subject here, instead, I present a few ribbons and condensers for your mic closet…
AUDIX
audixusa.com
AUDIX has recently updated several aspects of its CX112B and CX212B large diaphragm studio condensers. The mics now offer a lower noise floor and a wider dynamic range, among other improvements. While mainly recognised as vocal microphones, they can be used for several applications including guitar cabs.
ELECTRO-VOICE
electrovoice.com PLACID AUDIO
placidaudio.com
PLACID AUDIO was founded in 2003 by Polyphonic Spree bassist and engineer Mark Pirro, to facilitate small batch production of his first prototype mic, the Copperphone (above). Since then firm has added the Harmonica Mini to its line-up and is soon to launch the Carbonphone. The Copperphone is the only dynamic mic we’ve included on these pages, but then this is no ordinary dynamic mic – rather than attempting to mimic, in terms of fidelity, a ribbon or condenser, it was purpose designed to offer a very specific and creative sonic character. The Copperphone, unlike a regular, full range microphone, operates within a limited bandwidth of frequencies, lending a nostalgic quality to the signal that might be compared to that of an AM radio or a telephone. This is achieved through a combination of vintage telecommunications components and a mechanical filtering effect. The microphone’s element is rear ported into a hollow resonant chamber. As sound passes through the diaphragm and into the hollow chamber, upper mid range frequencies are accentuated while low and high frequencies are reduced.
THE LATEST addition to EV’s RE Performance Group of wired microphones, the RE320, rolls key features of the venerable RE20 and RE27N/D Broadcast Group models into a versatile microphone that performs in virtually any imaginable application. It can also happily be taken out of the studio and used on stage. The RE320’s key features include Electro-Voice’s Variable-D proximity control technology for expressive, and consistent tonal performance, a patented humbucking coil for noiseless operation, and a high-output neodymium magnet structure capsule that delivers fast and accurate transient response and pronounced high-frequency detail. A new ‘dual personality’ switch can essentially create two mics from one. The first setting engages a response curve ideal for voice and most instrument miking, while the second switch position activates a response curve designed specifically for kick drums with dips and peaks in the frequency response precisely where they are needed. Electro-Voice’s Rick Belt comments: “We’ve known for many years that the RE20 is sought-after for miking kick drums, despite its broadcast vocal ‘original purpose’. Adding the kick drum curve switch position as a key RE320 feature reinforces its usefulness as a specialty instrument mic.”
RØDE
rodemic.com
RØDE’S ever-popular NT1-A cardioid condenser has become something of an industry standard, with a one-inch capsule delivering the dynamic range, clarity and high SPL capability of much pricier mics. Alternatively, Røde’s NT2-A builds on the archetype established by the classic NT2, with three-position pattern selector, PAD and high-pass filter switches. Both this and the NT1-A are available as a Complete Vocal Recording Solution Pack, which includes accessories, such as a studio grade pop shield, shock mount, a premium 20-foot cable, dust cover, an instructional DVD and Røde’s substantial ten-year warranty.
audioPRO May 2011 37
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