Suggestions

I would like to offer a few basic tips on using microphones to record ambient music or environmental sounds. These are organized by microphone type and technique. I also have pictures & details of the most common microphone set-ups.

Shotgun Microphone techniques :

Best suited to recording PA systems where a sense of space is not required AND not listened for. Here the mics are "aimed" at the center of the PA stacks. When used with a center channel omnidirectional microphone these microphones will produce a very up front sound with a more natural sense of space and crowd response allowing for a more relaxed listening experience.

Crossed Fiqure of Eight Microphone Tecnique:

Best suited to small acoustic groups like recording chamber music or ambient sound where accurate bottom two octave information is not needed.

Hypercardiod Microphone Techniques :

Best suited to poor acoustic environments like Hockey or Basketball arenas used for music events. Also usable to alter the sense of perspective, ie to move the listener closer to the sound source. X-Y Hypercardioids with an omnidirectional center channel offer a good basic setup that can be adjusted to suit the acoustics of the venue by altering the level of the center microphone. This level can range from nearly off at -20 db to a very high -9 db out of doors.

Cardiod Microphone Techniques :

Best suited to good acoustic environments, up close in doors or any outdoor application were it is desirable to develop an accurate sense of perspective. Use these mics at 80 degrees in poorer settings and all the way out to 130 degrees outdoors. The wider stereo pickup pattern will provide a more natural sense of space and more extended low frequency response. This microphone does not lend itself to mixing with anything other than accent microphones. These should be spaced omnidirectional mics and mixed in very low or aligned with an oscilloscope. I feel this is true due to the very impressive sense of depth cardioids develop when the signal is not degraded with ANY out of phase components.

In Closing...

I would like to point out that there is no right or wrong way to do things when it comes to sound. Above all else TRUST YOUR EARS, when making these decisions. If it makes you happy, it is a good technique.