Why most recordings sound like crap....

[Da5id4Vz]

My last thought single point recording techniques:

My personal favorite technique for stereo recording is often an M-S pair (nothing to do with micro soft, Mid-Side pair).

Made with a pair of Neumann U-87 or Schoeps collets. This technique works great for making recordings at a single point source and unlike a tightly placed X-Y pair allows for some control over presence vs. ambiance in the post production process.

I once purchased and was very happy with a Neumann RSM-191. It was a neat microphone in that it had a great sound and flexibility. Its unique-est property was that the center capsule had a hyper-cardioid setting allowing it to function as a sort of stereo shotgun mike that can still be stuffed into a Rycote zeplin.

While all of these microphones have the ability to let even myself make a respectable recording, none of them can be regarded as a panacea-ic solution. Salesmen like to slap a set of headphones on your head and send you out in the world with a DAT machine as an example of how good they are (I did mention that I had bought one, thanks Greg). The first impression is always so shocking because of the absence of unnatural phase cancellations between the capsules.

Many times they can be deployed as the total solution. Other times a more complex solution is required to provide an image that better aproximates what the artist(s) and producers are trying to achieve.

[enkidu]

Yeah I think Jerry Bruck came up with a surround version that uses additional figure 8 capsules on each side.... looks cool at least

I'm a big fan of M-S too as a "general" stereo pattern. But on its own or as a main pair for a big group (orchestra, choir, etc) and you start to get phase problems.

My 2¢

Michael

[fdegrove]

Hi,

Nono here...

No one ever heard about Arthur Blumlein?

Digital recs better than analogue? Yeah...that would be the day.

Cheers,

[SY]

I've had pretty limited experience here, Frank, but what little I had included comparing recordings to mike feed with perhaps a dozen recording systems. The best analog system I heard (an old tube Ampex, half track, 15 ips, that had been thoroughly refurbished) was trivially easy for me to distinguish from the mike feed, even blind. I can't say that about most of the actual 16 bit or better digital systems (as opposed to "16 bit systems"). I can understand well a preference for analog recording; macquilage for the defects of transducers and electronics.

I saw an interview and article with Peter Sprey in Positive Feedback. Here's a guy doing some interesting things with mikes and recording, things that make an enormous (I'd say. "most enormous"), totally uncontroversial difference, and the moron interviewing him spends the whole time talking about wire.

[fdegrove]

Hi,

Colourations from electronic devices may be obvious, but what is most bothering IMHO is their impact on our enjoyment of music.

Can we devise a digital recording system that is both less coloured and more musically enjoyable?

Up to this very day, I doubt it.

Personnaly, I'd rather live with a bit of colouration than with the minced meat digital recordings seem to sound like.

I stand with Steve Eddy here, in that musical enjoyement should prevail.
Nine out of ten, I get more out of analogue than digital.

Am I suffering from digititis or am I just spoiled by my analogue gear?

Recording engineers should learn from the past masterpieces for, to my ears at least, most fabs were made in the late fifties and when played back on top gear are just fantastic.

Either way I just hear things I don't like when analogue has been converted to digital...its' got rubbed off its soul and has ceased to be music.

Cheers,

[Steve Eddy]

Originally posted by fdegrove
I stand with Steve Eddy here, in that musical enjoyement should prevail.
Nine out of ten, I get more out of analogue than digital.

Am I suffering from digititis or am I just spoiled by my analogue gear?

Well, if musical enjoyment is to prevail, you wouldn't be asking such questions, yes? Become a bona fide Hedonist Subjectivist and free yourself from the shackles of peer pressure and insecurity.

If you're having a bit of trouble making the full commitment, might I suggest a re-reading of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged? That should get you in the mood.

se

[Da5id4Vz]

No one ever heard about Arthur Blumlein?

I always thought that M-S was the generic implementation of Blumlein...

A good read here about Alan Blumlein and some patent issues:
http://www.ambiophonics.org/blumlein.htm

This link:
http://homerecording.about.com/libra...y/aa101799.htm
Has a nice brief description by Wendy Carlos. In this description it describes two plate condensers (think U-87) each set to figure 8 and set up as x-y. It also points out however that one mic can be set to cardioid.

Interesting reading. Thanks fdgrove, I think I'll do some more googling on this guy.

[Da5id4Vz]

The best analog system I heard (an old tube Ampex, half track, 15 ips, that had been thoroughly refurbished) was trivially easy for me to distinguish from the mike feed, even blind.

Ive heard stories of such machines set up for 1/2 track 1/2" tape running at 30 IPS...
There were also 1" 4 track machines.
Dolby SR or not, these machines are monstrous. They live in the same realm with the same happy madmen who search out and optimize old Fairchild compressors. Ready to shell out $25K for a 40-year-old compressor? Makes George Massenburg and EveAnna Manlys gear (every bit as good as the Fairchilds) seem bargain priced.

Then on the flipside, there is performance. Ive got a CD with a mono transcription of an old Miles Davis performance on it. Its Miles at his best and I doubt I'll ever get tired of it. Too bad the PA at the live venue had a 120 Hz hum all the way through it. A real travesty, and yet Id bet that this one performance has outsold everything that Bella Fleck has done to date. (I'm not Bella bashing, like him, just needed and interesting reference point).

[Da5id4Vz]

If you're having a bit of trouble making the full commitment, might I suggest a re-reading of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged?

Dont need too.

Objectively yours,
-Da5id4vz

[Da5id4Vz]

One last thought, I promise, on binaural recording. I think Sennheiser makes a microphone that is worn like a walkman headphone that produces good results.

I'm pretty sure I seen DIYaudio reference to forum readers doing this with pairs of the Linkwitz electret condenser modification.

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/sys_test.htm#Mic

Likely lots of good fun for just a few bucks.

Guess I like microphones.