Re: Well, which is it? :)

143.236.5.172

Posted by STUART on August 16, 2004 at 12:53:04

In Reply to: Well, which is it? :) posted by Roscoe East on August 11, 2004 at 11:23:58:

Unlike dynamic microphones, which amplify certain frequency ranges more than others, condenser microphones amplify all sounds across the frequency spectrum equally, thus producing a more accurate reproduction of the original sound source.

A condenser is a completely different animal then a dynamic
microphone and theory of operation is based on capacitance
A diaphragm moving back and forth with a back plate and the cap value
changing

Also, proximity does not affect a condensor element the way
it does a dynamic mic
It is correct to say an SM57 is not the right mic for a kick drum because of its design as Bill posted
Even using the placement recomended on the kit because of the polar
pattern and frequency limitations and proximity effect on the element
of the SM57 dynamic microphone makes it a poor choice

It should be noted that proximity effect is also the nature of the beast with any dynamic mic including a large diaphragm dynamic mic.

A large diaphragm mic has an extended low freq response and
its much more suited for a kickdrum.

A cheap alternative to the SM57 is a condenser (PZM)
If you are goin to use ONE mic on an entire kit (especially for the placement that was recomended) the BEST alternative
is an electric condenser microphone with a non cardiod pattern.
An element mounted to a flat plate ...
You will have extended low freq response and pickup the entire kit
without roll off in either direction in the audio spectrum
and not have proximity effect either.
There are limitations because of a non cardiod pattern when
bringing up the gain on your system
Its called feedback
Inserting a parametric or some other type of filter on the channel
will help get you the output you desire on the FOH

But then again...if an SM57 is all you have then use it I guess?
You can go to scrap shack and by an electric condenser element
for a few bucks and make your own PZM mic..
A boundry mic (PZM) is putting the element in a plate
The bigger the plate the better the performance

There are tons of diagrams online and parts lists to make your own
boundry mic..experiment with different plate sizes and by all
means have fun!
Its easy and cheap and they work pretty darn good I might add.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - micing a kickdrum with a Shure SM58? - DJ's Later 13:25:46 08/03/04 (21)

Re: micing a kickdrum with a Shure SM58? - STUART 10:54:36 08/06/04 (3)

Well, which is it? :) - Roscoe East 11:23:58 08/11/04 (2)

Re: Well, which is it? :) - STUART 12:53:04 08/16/04 (0)

Re: Well, which is it? :) - Bill Fitzmaurice 05:50:49 08/12/04 (0)

went off without a hitch - thanks for your help! - DJ's Later 20:24:11 08/05/04 (0)

Re: micing a kickdrum with a Shure SM58? - Bill Fitzmaurice 15:35:15 08/03/04 (15)

Re: micing a kickdrum with a Shure SM58? - Al Rose 11:23:16 08/05/04 (9)

What makes music is midrange - Bill Fitzmaurice 09:28:21 08/06/04 (8)

Re: What makes music is midrange - Al Rose 09:46:55 08/06/04 (7)

Re: What makes music is midrange - Bill Fitzmaurice 12:57:47 08/06/04 (6)

Re: What makes music is midrange - Al Rose 05:44:14 08/09/04 (2)

Re: What makes music is midrange - Bill Fitzmaurice 06:08:55 08/09/04 (1)

Re: What makes music is midrange - Al Rose 06:45:41 08/09/04 (0)

Re: What makes music is midrange - Blind Johnny 20:47:02 08/08/04 (2)

I heard a good mix the other night - Bill Fitzmaurice 05:24:55 08/09/04 (1)

Re: I heard a good mix the other night - Blind Johnny 20:34:05 08/10/04 (0)

Re: micing a kickdrum with a Shure SM58? - Roscoe East 08:08:24 08/04/04 (1)

maybe... - tmcconnell 20:02:43 08/05/04 (0)

Re: micing a kickdrum with a Shure SM58? - DJ's Later 16:21:58 08/03/04 (2)

Re: micing a kickdrum with a Shure SM58? - Bill Fitzmaurice 17:29:52 08/03/04 (1)

Re: micing a kickdrum with a Shure SM58? - DJ's Later 17:58:04 08/03/04 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Well, which is it? :) - STUART 12:53:04 08/16/04 (0)

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