MC012 Problem

[cominginsecond]

I was doing a vocal/acoustic guitar session last weekend where I was using MC012s in an X/Y configuration on the acoustic, and my NTK on the vocals. I noticed that when she sang really loudly, the vocal bleed on the acoustic tracks would distort heavily. The track was not even coming close to clipping, so I don't know what was causing this, or if there is anything I can do to prevent it.

It doesn't make any sense to me that this distortion was caused by the mic overloading, because I can mic a snare drum with these mics no problem. Anyone have any suggestions for me? Is this a common occurence with most SDCs, or is it just a problem with the MC012?

(BTW, the NTK track was not distorting at all.)

 

[CanopuS]

Maybe it has something to do with clashing frequencies? Bear in mind I'm probably the least educated microphone user around, so I don't know, but a female voice would be in the higher frequencies, those that might clash with acoustic? I dunno

 

[cominginsecond]

I wouldn't think that clashing frequencies would result in distortion.

Anyone else experience this problem? It was present in both of my MC012s, with two different singers, so I know I can't be the only one who has had this problem.

 

[ausrock]

Different singers, but what about the guitar.........same one both times or different? Have you noticed whether the distortion occured at similar frequency ranges for both singers?

I would be tempted to set up your mics exactly the same and get either one or both singers to do a repeat performance BUT without the acoustic sitting in their lap.........presuming this is how they were the first time . I can't help wondering if Canopus is close to the mark, in that the vocals at some point hit a level or frequency that causes a reaction with the natural resonant frequencies of the guitar's body. I have heard acoustics react to both bass and electric guitar so it is possible.

 

[cominginsecond]

Different guitars as well. Another dissimilarity: the first session was a female that was standing, and the second session was a male that was sitting.

 

[Robert D]

This is a classic case of sdc/ldc envy. The little MC-012s were intimidated by, and jealous of the big NTK hanging over them while they were trying to do their job. Poor little buggers were trying so hard to compete, they overtaxed themselves and distorted. You know, they already have confidence issues, what with their size and the fact that they are so under priced, and that nasty QC issue following them around like a rap sheet. I use the exact same mics together, and it works out great, but I give the 012's lots of strokes, while winking at the NTK who knows he's the big man on campus.