AA3 Week 2 - Multi Micing

Well I have to agree with Gricey....who ever invented the Decca Tree just wanted to have his name on a useless invention. So Mr Decca, if you're reading you're a fool!

The three methods I decided to try for this week's exercise were as following:
(1) The three microphone setup i.e. Left + Centre + Right
(2) The Decca Tree we went through in class
(3) The same Decca Tree but with the microphones pointing outwards.

I recorded the piano in the EMU space. (1) The first method was simply setup like a triangle. I had the two Left and Right microphones 2 metres apart. Then the Centre microphone was 1.5 metres away from the centre point of the Left and Right microphones.

(2) The second setup was the surround Decca Tree setup but with a major difference. Since I can't fit a piano inside the tiny space I had the microphones spread out by 4 times. i.e. The proportions were exactly the same to compensate for the large sound source.

(3) Finally the third setup was the same as the second except that I turned the microphones to face outwards.

Here's the problem: The recording sounds louder when the microphones are pointing outwards? I have no idea why this is. I am so sure that I have the recordings the right way round......?? *CONFUSED*

I think the recordings sound okay. I did a mix in Logic using the surround panner. There is some slight hissing which became a problem because I set the gain myself by running back and forth from the space to the studio. Not too easy.



my massive useless Decca Tree.....nice photography though


AUDIO
Left+Right+Centre [672KB]
Decca Tree Surround [672KB]
Decca Tree Surround (Microphones Pointing Outwards) [672KB]


[1] David Grice. "Audio Arts: Semester 1 - Week 2 - Multi Micing". Lecture presented at the Electronic Music Unit, University of Adelaide, South Australia, 11th March 2008.