If you are in the UK (or can get to the UK) the Institute of Broadcast Sound is running a microphone placement masterclass later this month.
Details below should you want to attend - I attended an earlier one a couple of years ago - it's excellent and well worth the money. Actually - it's pretty cheap for what you get and I will be there this year as well.
There are a few places left, should you wish to attend. I highly recommend it.
Mic Placement Masterclass - 29th & 30th Nov
Two one-day masterclasses in the art of where to stick your mic!BBC Maida Vale Studios, London.
http://www.ibs.org.uk/press/pressoffice ... e_Info.pdfThese two masterclasses will be led by experienced industry experts including:
Chris Woolf MIBS Editor of http://www.microphone-data.com, a member of the AES panel for microphone specification, and freelance Technical Consultant.
Hugh Robjohns MIBS Technical Editor of Sound On Sound, Editor of Line Up and former BBC Technical Trainer.
Pete Freshney MIBS As The Crow Flies mobile recording, with 40 years’ experience of recording live concert performances for radio and TV broadcast, as well as for numerous commercial CDs.
Richard Merrick MIBS 30 years’ experience as a sound supervisor and location recordist specialising in complex location work, covert filming, live music, and broadcast communications.Basic Theory – Chris Woolf MIBS
Discovering how to use microphones - which ones are best in a particular situation, where to place them, what to listen for when things sound wrong - requires a thorough blending of theory with practicality. During the seminar Chris will provide much of the foundation material. He will explain the different microphone types, their operating principles and their limitations. He will also provide much of the vocabulary that is needed so that you can distinguish between hyper and hypo-cardioids, feel comfortable with pressure-gradient rather than pressure operation, and know when and where to expect proximity effects.Chris combines both an engineering and an operational background so theory never drifts too far from sharp-end practical usage. His presentations are frequently amusing as well as instructive, and he will be on hand at all times to offer additional help and technical explanations on an individual basis to anyone who needs it.
Instrument polar diagrams (where the sound comes out...) - Hugh Robjohns MIBS
Hugh presents a short lecture explaining the nature of sound generation in a variety of musical instruments with a view to optimising the placement of microphones.Musical Instruments inc Piano, - Pete Freshney MIBS
Following on from Hugh Robjohns' analysis of the sound radiation patterns of various musical instruments, we get the rare chance to put theory into practice. Various instrumentalists will play live in front of the delegates, and then retire to an adjacent studio and continue playing while we try out the effects of different microphones and mic positions on the recorded sound. We anticipate being able to assess acoustic guitar, saxophone, flute, violin...Additionally, there'll be the even rarer chance to listen to a Steinway concert grand piano, and then similarly assess different mic techniques. The piano is of course the most versatile of instruments - it can be solo in a concert hall, accompaniment to a singer or another instrument in almost any genre of music, part of a chamber music ensemble, used in a jazz group or a rock band - and each scenario requires a different approach. There will be a multiplicity of mic rigs, ranging from purist to quick 'n' nasty, very expensive to astonishingly cheap.
Participants will be encouraged to experiment - put a mic where your ears tell you it sounds nice! There are no right answers when it comes to mic placement, though there are probably some wrong ones.
Booms, personals, covert and radio mics... – Richard Merrick MIBS
The seamier side of placement, where we do everything EXCEPT put a mic on a stand.This is the pantomime part of the seminar, where we learn how to fly through the air, hide in dark corners and use sticky substances next to warm flesh!
Prepare to be amazed as we take an express trip through the basics of swinging a pole and gasp with delight when we show you how to be in and out of a lady’s blouse with a radio mic in 20 seconds. We’ll also explore the “dark side of the force†and dabble with some of the myths and legends of radio transmitters.
Finish the session in clandestine style by becoming “Agent Johnson of the IBS†when we sneak a peek behind the curtains of the covert camera show and discover just how many places you never realised could be bugged.
“Oh yes we will – oh no we won’t - look behind you!!!â€
Cost
The cost of this running this course is £250 per head, however with the help of Skillset we have been able to subsidise the cost.IBS Member Rate £175
AMPS Member Rate £200
Non IBS or AMPS Member Rate £225
Non IBS members may join the IBS and attend the course at a total cost of £250Booking
0300 400 8427 (Option 1)
IBS - Web Site - The Institute of Broadcast Sound
Members of the IBS should login for access to the special ratePlaces are limited to 40 people per day.
For the practical sessions you will be divided into two groups in order to maximise your hands on participation.Any delegates who require financial assistance with the provision of a facilitator or carer, or are returning back to work please enquire at the time of booking.