Topic by teknico

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Topic: How about a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

The Pianoteq v6 manual mentions, at p. 47 par. 11.3.1, the presence of:

"two "perfect" microphones (they capture the acoustic field generated by the model without any distortion): perfect-omni and perfect-fig8."

Would it be possible to add a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

A cardioid microphone is needed for a correct application of the mid/side technique (see for example the masters' thesis “A More Realistic View of Mid/Side Stereophony.” The mid/side technique is arguably one of the better-sounding, and definitely one of the most versatile stereo recording methods available.

While a number of very fine, existing cardioid microphones are included, real microphones exhibit significant inconsistencies in their cardioid response, and a perfectly regular response at all frequencies would be quite useful.

Thank you.

Reply by Amen Ptah Ra

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Re: How about a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

Man, just last night I was thinking the exact same thing, a perfect cardioid!

Pianoteq 8 Studio Bundle, Pearl malletSTATION EM1, Roland (DRUM SOUND MODULE TD-30, HandSonic 10, AX-1), Akai EWI USB, Yamaha DIGITAL PIANO P-95, M-Audio STUDIOPHILE BX5, Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP.

Reply by PaptainClanet

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Re: How about a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

Amen Ptah Ra wrote:

Man, just last night I was thinking the exact same thing, a perfect cardioid!

Is there really that much different in a "perfect mic" in pianoteq? I can barely hear any difference when I A/B them.

Reply by Amen Ptah Ra

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Re: How about a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

Man, I’m in absolutely no position to define anything construed as perfect!  I leave it to the experts!

Pianoteq 8 Studio Bundle, Pearl malletSTATION EM1, Roland (DRUM SOUND MODULE TD-30, HandSonic 10, AX-1), Akai EWI USB, Yamaha DIGITAL PIANO P-95, M-Audio STUDIOPHILE BX5, Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP.

Reply by teknico

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Re: How about a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

teknico wrote:

Would it be possible to add a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

On second thought, another obstacle to the ideal mid/side technique is the physical size of microphones, and the impossibility to have the two of them occupy the exact same spot. But there's no such restriction in the virtual world, right? :-)

So while I'm asking other people to do my bidding, once you have the perfect cardioid microphone, it would be awesome if you could arrange a preset mid/side configuration with a cardioid and a figure-eight microphone in the same virtual spot, and while you're at it (sorry :-) ) throw in a mid/side decoder (with adjustable width i.e. side level) too, so other people may experience the awesomeness without having to set up an external decoder, simple as it may be.

I hope you don't mind this barrage of requests too much, and thank you again.

Last edited by teknico (05-05-2020 03:36)

Reply by Qexl

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Re: How about a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

Thanks teknico,

excellent suggestions..


teknico wrote:

a "perfect" cardioid microphone


teknico wrote:

mid/side decoder


I agree, esp. a Mid/Side output with sliders for attenuating the mid and side signals (esp. one hooked up to the 'recording' output and 'stereo' out, regardless of mic array) would be pretty golden IMO - and one less reason to open a DAW.

Pianoteq Studio Bundle (Pro plus all instruments)  - Kawai MP11 digital piano - Yamaha HS8 monitors

Reply by Amen Ptah Ra

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Re: How about a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

Qexl wrote:
teknico wrote:

a "perfect" cardioid microphone

teknico wrote:

Would it be possible to add a "perfect" cardioid microphone?

As you clearly can see, anything is possible!  While I am willing to concede the notion of a perfect cardioid microphone is all yours, and, one that you posted before I did though, I previously entertained a thought of it, I already submitted a workable means possibly to fill PIANOTEQ software gaps in mid-side as well as left-right microphone input control via my post (Vote Yes or No for Pres).  In which suggested by me is my own earlier entry covering such possibilities whereas any layman that is like either you or me can understand them.

If you care to inspect the thread, please by all means leave a comment at it.  Welcome to this forum!

A cardioid microphone is needed for a correct application of the mid/side technique (see for example the masters' thesis “A More Realistic View of Mid/Side Stereophony.” The mid/side technique is arguably one of the better-sounding, and definitely one of the most versatile stereo recording methods available.

Just as an enthusiast I'm planning to detail exactly how PIANOTEQ can implement new microphone inputs without any additionally taking up real estate er hogging valuable space on the PIANOTEQ interface, if only an end user (say) like myself from this forum or anyone else someway may help to speed developments, and, to ultimately suffice to fellow end-users, or just maybe meet positively some of their outstanding expectations by anything possibly a betterment. 

The least of which is probably going to take territory or beautiful prime GUI real estate!  (Smile.)

Last edited by Amen Ptah Ra (15-05-2020 00:16)
Pianoteq 8 Studio Bundle, Pearl malletSTATION EM1, Roland (DRUM SOUND MODULE TD-30, HandSonic 10, AX-1), Akai EWI USB, Yamaha DIGITAL PIANO P-95, M-Audio STUDIOPHILE BX5, Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP.