the stupidest question ever.

[sarsipius]

ok. I'm just going to admit right now that I'm about to ask the dumbest question ever but here goes.

I was reading about a Samson C01 Large Diaphragm Condenser mic. (i've never owned or used a LDC). Anyway...it says its a cardoid pattern. Here is the stupid question.

Is the cardoid pattern from the front of the mic like other dynamic mics (sm57) or from the side of the mic? In other words, which way do you point it?

And if it's from the side face, how do you know which side?

Once you stop laughing, feel free to mock me and then please help.

thanks

 

[On Slide Guitar]

I'm going to take an equally advanced approach and answer it thusly: point the mic using the "front" so that it is the "front" that is closest to the sound source. Does that help? P.S. There should be some writing on it to indicate the "front".

 

[warlock110]

ok. I'm just going to admit right now that I'm about to ask the dumbest question ever but here goes.

I was reading about a Samson C01 Large Diaphragm Condenser mic. (i've never owned or used a LDC). Anyway...it says its a cardoid pattern. Here is the stupid question.

Is the cardoid pattern from the front of the mic like other dynamic mics (sm57) or from the side of the mic? In other words, which way do you point it?

And if it's from the side face, how do you know which side?

Once you stop laughing, feel free to mock me and then please help.

thanks

the placement of the capsule in dynamic are normally different than condenser, with dynamic you usually just point the head toward the source, with condenser it's normally the face (basically you're just trying to get the sound to hit the capsule's face, that's about it).

 

[pohaku]

the placement of the capsule in dynamic are normally different than condenser, with dynamic you usually just point the head toward the source, with condenser it's normally the face (basically you're just trying to get the sound to hit the capsule's face, that's about it).

Ummm. No. It depends on the orientation of the capsule in the mic and the mic body and grill shape, rather than whether the mic is a dynamic or condenser). I have plenty of condensers that are end address mics - for example, pretty much all SD pencil condensers are end address (can't think of one that isn't off hand). The Audix VX-10, AT AE5400 and the Neumann KMS105 are all end address performing condensers. On the other hand my Beyer M380 and M380tg are both side address dynamic mics.

If generalities is what you want, typically, if it is a pencil or hand held mic, it will be end address. Rectangular or large cylindrical mics are more likely to be side address. If in doubt you can look at the literature that comes with the mic or look it up on the web or just try it. Most, but not all, side address mics will indicate which is the front, sometime just with a symbol.

Based on 15 seconds looking on the web, the Sampson is a side address mic and "there is a LED that illuminates when phantom power is applied, indicating which side you should sing into."

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Jan03/articles/samsonc01.asp

 

[sarsipius]

Thanks for your help. This mic is in the mail and should be here today. I'm sure I'll figure it out. I wanted to mic my droms on a tight budget so I purchased a set of mics from Samson called the 8kit. Cheap mic's but I've heard for the money they don't do a terrible job.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[tojo]

my ldc (at 2020) has a part that says back on it. so i don't put that towards the sound source. because it sounds muffled that way...

 

[hairylarry]

On a cardiod the front is louder

Hi,

I have been in the field and been unsure by looking at the mic. I tested both sides looking at the levels. The front is louder.

There are some mics that look like side address that are actually front address.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[Obi-Wan zenabI]

Yes, just put headphones on with the levels way down and use trial and error. It is a good excercise to get to know what the mic picks up.

If you're totally new to recording, it's a wild experience to throw the cans on and hear all the little tiny noises in a room that a condensor can pick up.

And don't worry, questions far more inane have been asked in the mic forum. Yours has the upside of being clearly asked and practical.

Good luck!