I plan to use 3 different mics to record a vocalist ( a neumann tlm 49, a ksm 27 and a beta 58a). I just want to see which mic responds the best to this one particular vocalist. But I plan to put the 3 mics tightly together in front of the singer, so that she sings once and I don't tire her out by singing 3 times, once for each mic. Of course each mic will be balanced and recorded into it's own track. My question is; will I have any phase issues, eventhough each mic is recorded into it's own track? I plan to only use the mic track that responded the best to her vocal frequencies. Good idea or bad idea → Any feedback?
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Morning Moondog,
I don't know the answer to your question however, it is an interesting concept. I tend to think there would not be much of a phasing issue, if any, as the mics are so close together. It does sound like a good idea though, especially in regards to requiring less work from the vocalist prior to tracking.
I will be watching this post for other forum member replies.
Good question!!!
luken
Since you only plan to use the one signal in the final track, phasing is not an issue.
However be careful you dont put the mics too close together so that the airflow around each mic is interrupted or restricted by an adjacent mic.
luken, thanks for your feedback. I'll definitely try it. I'm also curious to find out if any other member on this forum has ever experimented with such vocal mic recording set-up!
Moon Dog
moondogselpaso.com
That's what I was thinking, that phasing wouldn't be a problem if I only use one of the signals. Also, I'll make sure airflow around each mic is not restricted. gswan, thanks for your input.
Moon Dog
moondogselpaso.com
The only difficulty I can see is the positioning of the 3 mics. The center of the 3 will be the mic she favors. If you are going to have her say 8 inches or more away from the mics that's probably not an issue but any closer it might sound off axis. Suggest one above and one below the center mic rather than side by side. Remember also that to make a fair comparison you should go through the same dynamics and FX processing for each mic. Then of course there's EQ and how each mic responds to it.
Alan Parsons
Wow, thanks for your feedback Mr. Parsons. And yes, I quickly found out that off axis coloration was an issue. I did record her vocals by putting the 3 mics side by side and ensured all settiings such as EQ, FX's, etcetera were the same, as you say, to make a fair comparison. Then, I listened to each track individually. But to satisfy my curiousity, I also had her sing into each mic individualy (about 5 to 6 inches away). That's when I discovered that the mics on the right & left side did not sound as full as when she sang straight into them at center position. At this point I realized I had not taken into account the off axis factor. The beauty of trail & error. But now you got me thinking about experimenting with the one above and one below the center mic. That will be a preview of coming attractions. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and knowlege with the rest of us.
Moon Dog
moondogselpaso.com