Is There a Front to a Condensor Mic?

[Robertt8]

Um...sorry if this is a stupid question (up till now, I've primarily only used dynamic mics), but I've recently picked up the MXL 990 and found it to be good at times and crappy at times. Then, doing a little mic research, I've noticed that some condenser mics appear to have a "front" to them where they record better from one side. Then I started to wonder if the reason this mic appeared to sound crappy (tended to sound like I was singing into a tin can from time to time) was because I was singing into the back where it doesn't pick up as well. Some times I've been quite happy with the sound.

On a side note, I just picked up the Studio Projects B1 and am dying to record with it tonight!

Thanks!

[Track Rat]

Oh yes, there's a front. These particular mics are side address mics and there's a front side and a back.

[Robertt8]

sooooooo...that would account for the funky sound?

[Richard Monroe]

Of course, there's such a thing a "figure of 8" (some people do go both ways)-Richie

[zer0sig]

robertt8, to answer your question, if you're not making noise into the proper side of a unideirectional mic, yes, it will sound bad.

[Doug Quance]

Look for a logo or emblem on the mic.

That should be the side to address.

If there is no emblem, rotate the mic while addressing it... note the side where the sound level is strongest... and mark it for future reference.

[Freudian Slip]

Sing tward the large MXL emblem my son! the one right below the screened section.


Later

F.S.

[littledog]

Originally posted by Richard Monroe
Of course, there's such a thing a "figure of 8" (some people do go both ways)-Richie

But the back side is out of phase, so there still is a "front" and a "back".

[Buffalo Bob]

"Is There a Front to a Condensor Mic?"


Damn. Now I've got to redo ALL my vocal tracks!

[blipndub]

Let's take it up a notch...

so why then are vocal mics hung upside down? This might suggest there is also a top and a bottom...

PS
I hate on my 990 that the shockmount covers the MXL script that indicates the front, bad plan.

[littledog]

Originally posted by blipndub
Let's take it up a notch...

so why then are vocal mics hung upside down? This might suggest there is also a top and a bottom...

This question keeps popping up.

In the "old days" when tube mics were the norm, mics were hung upside down so that the heat rising from the tubes would not affect the mic diaphragm, since the capsule would be below the tubes when the mic was in an upside down position.

These days a lot of non-tube mics are still hung upside down because people see all those vintage photos and think that if they do it it makes them look more professional, or just that it adds a "coolness" to their studio ambience.

There may be small advantages to that position if you are hanging the mic above the air stream of the vocalist and angling it down to reduce pops. But the disadvantage is that the body of some of the larger mics can block eye contact with other musicians.

[mixmkr]

plus, it is out of the way more.j...if you have Joe Cocker flailing arms...

[Track Rat]

No....just his drinking habits.

[DJL]

Originally posted by Buffalo Bob
"Is There a Front to a Condensor Mic?"


Damn. Now I've got to redo ALL my vocal tracks!

Maybe not, if they sound cool and work in the mix, keep them. Also you could add to them. If not, toss them and redo it.

[Buffalo Bob]

I was joking, man.

[Track Rat]

Originally posted by Buffalo Bob
I was joking, man.

I wasn't

[ThunderMaker]

When I first got into recording I was in a band and their equipemnt was anything but professional as far as mic.s and a P.A but our lead mic was a cheep little condenser and our lead singer had a problem of basically swallowing the condenser so we put a grille over it and had it positioned to where he had to sing in it correctly thats how I found out about the front and sides of a mic

[continuity]

the side with the Studio Projects insignia...

[Freudian Slip]

Originally posted by continuity
the side with the Studio Projects insignia...

That might be hard to find on a MXL mic
later
F.S.

[jtees4]

Good post! Only only recently started using a condensor...and I never thought of that. It may explain a few things

[WhiteStrat]

Originally Posted by jtees4

Good post! Only only recently started using a condensor...and I never thought of that. It may explain a few things

Maybe it was a good post 6 years ago. Guess you're looking for 5 posts so you can throw up a link somewhere, huh? Hmmm...I smell spam in the kitchen.

Sheesh...

[dgatwood]

Originally Posted by littledog

There may be small advantages to that position if you are hanging the mic above the air stream of the vocalist and angling it down to reduce pops. But the disadvantage is that the body of some of the larger mics can block eye contact with other musicians.

As long as we're digging up a 6-year-old post, I'd like to add that having a mic above a singer offers the advantage of fooling the vocalist into tilting his/her head back a bit, which tends to result in a more open, less strained vocal tone. This is, of course, entirely psychological and has nothing to do with the microphone....

[Chili]

Damn!! The dates always catch me... and I was going to tell the guy to RTFM because it's in there.... eh, he probably figured it out by now.