Topic: Microphone Colour

Having looked at microphone placement, the next logical step seems to be the colour afforded by the various models:

C414s
CMC6s
DPAs
R84
SFs; and
U87s

This is a graphic representation of the U87 Omni, Cardio and Fig8 (U87 Omni is the most sensitive and gives the loudest results from what I can see.) The graphic has most Cs marked. To the left is low A'' and moving to the right is top c''''' on the piano (white notes only). The deep magenta represents the Omni preset (always the loudest) with the lightest colour representing the Fig8. The overlaping light blue and purple is where the Cardio sits.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4lwfukbvuk5sewe/U87s.png?raw=1

Looking at the various mics in this way and comparing them it is easier to see which might be best suited in a sonic arrangement depending on instrument / piece and overall 'flavour' desired. It is also easy to see the frequency response by note.

In order to be 'more scientific' I created a midi file with notes across the scale of equal length and equal velocity (both on and off).

I don't know if others find this fascinating / helpful or just boring - but the more I delve into Pianoteq there is a wealth of control to enable a true 'artist' to shape and define not only their performance but also the sonic sound stage they choose to display it. No other software offering comes close in my humble opinion.

I would just love more time to delve. Well done Modartt !

Last edited by DEZ (31-10-2022 09:59)

Re: Microphone Colour

Here are the C414 microphones...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y5xaa2wrzfxyx2n/C414s.png?raw=1

Not as sensitive as the U87 mics according to the visuals - but what do the ears tell me?


Here is a comparision with the U87 followed by the C414 playing A through D two octaves apart...

Fig8 Comparisions
https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...20Fig8.mp3

Omni Comparisions
https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...20Omni.mp3

================================================================================================

It has to be said that I hear no obvious difference - however the visualised waveform says different and the loudness meter confirms that U87 is louder...

Re: Microphone Colour

General Observations:

DPA - ranked less sensitive (softest) to most sensitive (loudest). Best placed just outside the piano for a more even recording!

4011
4007
4041
4006 - This apparently was taken to Mars on NASA's 2022 mission

=====================================================================================

R84 - seems best suited to enhance the bass (also likes to be closer to its target)

=====================================================================================

CMC6 - ranked less sensitive to most sensitive

Mk4
Mk2 - highly noticeable jump in sensitivity

=====================================================================================

SF - best overall even pickup across the entire range ranked

12
24 - gives the flatest response.

Last edited by DEZ (31-10-2022 17:51)

Re: Microphone Colour

Putting what I've learned thus far into 'practice.'

A clean, crisp K2 just to practice pieces on that doesn't allow you to hide your mistakes!

DEMO
https://forum.modartt.com/download.php?id=5050

DOWNLOADABLE fxp
https://forum.modartt.com/file/7qyxlbwd

Re: Microphone Colour

DEZ wrote:

Putting what I've learned thus far into 'practice.'

A clean, crisp K2 just to practice pieces on that doesn't allow you to hide your mistakes!

DEMO
https://forum.modartt.com/download.php?id=5050

DOWNLOADABLE fxp
https://forum.modartt.com/file/7qyxlbwd


I have not tried out your fxp, but this recording is wonderful--a very realistic piano sound.

Re: Microphone Colour

Jake Johnson wrote:

..this recording is wonderful--a very realistic piano sound.

Thanks Jake for your encouragement and inspiration.

It got me thinking about creating a particularly bad microphone placement. If you download this fxp - don't use the microphone placement with any other piano! It will sound incredibly bad! incredibly boomy! And definately not good for your sound system.

On K1 it just sounds plastic. With the dampers off the strings the reverberation is overly long and full.

Great what you can do with a simple adjustment of the mics.

DEMO
https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...20Test.mp3

DOWNLOADABLE fxp
https://forum.modartt.com/file/adof2bq6