Boundary mics as stereo OH's

[sloom]

Anyone have any wisdom or anecdotes about using boundary mics for OH's? I'm sending off for a 2nd AT871-R from ebay, and have a plan for such an arrangement. I'm hanging 'em on some kind of ridgid material from the cieling, over a drum kit, X/Y fashion.

Also thinking about isolation (as a loose concept!) in a small room with a rock rhythm section...

 

[rory]

Before my current setup, I used Beta 91 boundary mics as overheads. I didn't (still don't) care for them. They sounded pretty harsh. They work well as an ambient mic on a drum kit or an acoustic guitar, but as far as main overheads I didn't like them. Try them out, these may work better. If you don't like them, you can use them as an ambient pair? Let us know.

Also, what pattern are they? XY might not be the best setup for them.

Rory

 

[sloom]

They are cardioid, here specifically called a "half-pattern".

You could be right about the way to set them up, maybe a spaced arrangement will be better. But this'll come down to spending some time with them. And yeah, they might also be a tad harsh- but I'm trying everything I can reach from my pocket! Maybe I can hit them with some lo-pass as they go through the mixer...

I understand the Beta 91 is an excellent kick-drum mic. Am I thinking of the right one here?

What are you using now for OH?

 

[rory]

Yeah, the beta 91 can be used as a kick mic. I've tried it as that and wasn't impressed either. Its extremely sensitive, thats why I thought it would be a good overhead mic. I'm happiest with it as an ambient mic. I have two spaced generally 10-20 feet away from my source, sometimes on the floor, sometimes raised up depending on what I'm doing. They're a tad noisy so I have to watch the gain.

Right now, I have a few different overheads I like. I have a matched pair of Audix TR40 reference mics. They're really cool and if you have a good sounding kit with good sounding cymbals in a good sounding room with a good sounding player, it will sound good. They sound nice on acoustic guitar as well. I really like them and are my usual go to mics for overheads. They have an omni pattern too, so they're a little more ambient than a cardiod or hyper.

I also use an Audix CX-112 which is fantastic. I usually pair it with either one of the TR40s or an audio technica p-645 which is very midrangey. Its a different sounding mic than the 40s. The TR40s are very natural sounding whereas the 112 adds a little more shimmer.

Rory

 

[sloom]

So you're pairing two different mics together? You put them very close together I am assuming... so they get the "same" signal in the "same" space?
Like two mono OH's, giving you a blend of the signals- in other words, this does not necessarily represent left and right? Right?

Cool idea.