at 4050

[jugalo180]

i know that there are a lot of variables envolved in shaping a track to cut through a mix. my question is can someone explaine to me the functions of the switches on the at 4050? can someone tell me some situations for certaine settings? for example, if vocalist has a deep voice use the -10db roll off switch. if you are recording in a closet and you can hear your computer use the figure 8 polar pattern. those are just some of the things i need to know. what's the best settings for different, but common home recording situations? thanks

 

[Track Rat]

Nice mic. The -10 is an attenuator, not a roll off. That would be used to mic a very loud source, like in front of a drum kit or an electric guitar amp or even a REALLY loud vocalist. It does have a roll off switch however which is at 80hz/12 dB per octave. Use this when close miking in either cardiod or figure 8 pattern if you need to counter proximity effect. Proximity effect is a phenomenon of close miking with directional mics. The closer the mic to the source, the more bass response comes up. Sometimes this could be a problem on some vocalists and things like acoustic guitar. That's when the roll off becomes usefull. The different patterns, well that could fill volumes.

 

[chessrock]

Use the bass rolloff when you're close-micing to avoid proximity effect . . . or perhaps if the source you're recording sounds a little too bassy.

Use the -10 db pad when micing loud sources to avoid clipping.

Use cardiod pattern for most typical applications; vocals, guitar, etc.

Use hypercardiod pattern for maximum isolation when you want to reject other nearby sounds (like the computer in the background?).

Use the omni-directional pattern to widen the scope/reach (bigger picture), for more embience/room, to avoid proximity effect, better off-axis rejection, or more natural sound.

Use figure 8 creatively for rejection, MS micing, trouble-shooting etc.

 

[jugalo180]

whoa, total life saver

all the information above was of great help, i feel more comfortable with this mic now, knowing the different ways to apply it. i couldn't find anywhere on the net that offered detailed explanations as you all have done for me. thanks

 

[jugalo180]

another question

which pattern is the hyper cardiod? i got the mic from a pawn shop, so it didn't come with the manual. it was also stated that the -10 was for loud sources to avoid clipping, drums were given as an example, so it shouldn't be needed for vocals rather it be mic jagger or dmx's? what's the reccomended distance and hight of this mic from the singer/rapper?

 

[Freudian Slip]

Here is a link to the manual.. Not much of a manual but wha the hell.

http://www.audiotechnica.com/prodpro/addinfo/AT4050_english.pdf

I always us the low roll off on vocals, there is really nothing down there that helps vocals anyway. Once you get down that far 100 to 80hz it's pretty much rumble. I have heard it recommended by others to always use the roll off for everything but kick and bass. I would have to agree. If you stack 10 tracks together with transient lows in that rang it can get pretty muddy. I also use the -10db pad most of the time for vocals. I have a pretty powerfull voice and I like to be pretty close to the mic to help hold my place and reduce room noise. That is something you have to experiment with for your self though.

I used to know a sight that did an exelent job of explaining polar patterns (cardoid, hypercardoid, omni) youmight look around at
www.audiotechnica.com

Good luck
If you grow to hate that mic let me know, I'll trade you my AT-3035. It's much simpler

F.S.

Good Luck.

 

[jugalo180]

hey, thanks freudian slip

that was some helpful info, i'm checking it out right now. i'll be sure to let you know if i grow weary of the 4050.