phase question????

[FZfile]

Hi.

I have a DBX mini pre and I'm experimenting with an ECM8000 to record acousic guitar.

I'm just running the mic to the pre to my VS880 w/ no trim.

Here's the weird thing and my question.
The DBX pre has 1) phantom power; 2) a 20dB pad ; and 3) a phase reverse button.

Why does it sound like i'm applying a bass cut to the signal when I engage the phase button?????

No matter where I place the mic, when I engage the phase button............instant "thinning" or definite loss of bass.

This worked to my advantage for strummy rythym passages.
When I did more finger picking and lead lines I un-engaged the button and got a "fuller" single note sound.

It sounds very much as if I was getting (or losing) a substantial proximity effect, but the mic was left in the same positions for any given set of takes and its an omni mc.

Shouldn't I only hear the phase change affect the sound in comparision or in interaction with another sound????????

-mike

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Lemme take a wild guess here. Are you listening to these dramatic changes thru a set of headphones?

 

[FZfile]

Yes sir.

You are correct, Mr Gerst.

I am monitoring through headphones.

One room, single man set up.

I take it that the culprit lies more with the headgear than the mic???

Why?

Is this covered in your ultimate mic monster post, which I have read? although I printed it out a couple of weeks ago so I havent gotten the lastest additions.

Thanks for that, by the way.

_mike

 

[Cave Dweller]

you are right, you should not hear any change in tonal characteristics of the mic, unless you are using multiple mics in close range to each other. it would seem you are applying a bass rolloff. very strange