any REAL benefit using multi-pattern condensors for home recording??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cratinus
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Cratinus

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very soon i will purchase a matched pair of small diaphragm condensors for recording
various acoustic guitars. i also am shopping for a large diaphragm condensor for use
primarily on my own vocals (but might use on ethnic wind instruments). my studio is
not what you'd call a "soundproof marvel". i understand what the extra patterns (omni and figure-8) are for (i.e. multiple vocalists/instrumentalists and maximum ambient pickup). would it be worth the extra bucks to buy a large condensor with SWITCHABLE patterns just in CASE i'd ever need those capabilities? these reason i ask is that i heard
a "music technician" state that a large condensor mic with SWITCHABLE patterns seems to be "less efficient" (when set to CARDOID mode) than an identical mic which
has a FIXED cardoid pattern. also,..if i ever need to mic multiple instrumentalists
or vocalists i think i'd prefer several mics which i'd route to several mixer channels.
if i ever need "ambient" mic-ing i figure i can use the large condensor near the source
and utilize the small condensors at a distance or in the corners of the room or
or whatever,..AGAIN sending all mics to seperate mixer channels. given that the
quality of all mics are good and that the small condensors are nicely matched,..do these seem like reasonable solutions?? OR,...am i missing something that ONLY a
large diaphragm mic with MULTIPLE/SWITCHABLE patterns can offer?? let me know
what your thoughts/experiences are. cheers.
 
It seems like your instincts are pretty sound. I don't think you really need any help on this, because you're doing a good job answering your own questions. :)
 
when the pattern changes, so does the sound. Multiple patterns can be very useful in helping you find a useable tone.
 
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