Use of an absorber shield behind mic?

[moondoggie999]

So I've never tried this and I'm wondering what results you've had with this idea.

I see some people using a half circle sound absorber screen behind a mic when recording an acoustic guitar. I'm thinking this might reduce the "room sound" I get when recording my guitar with an omni directional mic.

Thought? Experiences? I'm stuck at work and wishing I was home recording.

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by moondoggie999

So I've never tried this and I'm wondering what results you've had with this idea.

I see some people using a half circle sound absorber screen behind a mic when recording an acoustic guitar. I'm thinking this might reduce the "room sound" I get when recording my guitar with an omni directional mic.

Thought? Experiences? I'm stuck at work and wishing I was home recording.

Why not try it? I have tried that and a bunch of other things. No promises. I have not had much luck the times I have recorded with an OMNI mike but YMMV.

[MikeBmusic]

I would strongly suggest getting a different microphone. The best stand-mounted shields use a multi-layer construction that includes a perforated metal layer to absorb sound coming from the source and reflections coming from the room, and cost as much as a half-decent condensor mic.

[Bob Womack]

We bought a nice one to try here at the studio where I work and we all immediately noticed the phase cancellation that accompanied use of the thing. It's off in storage now.

Bob

[rick-slo]

I tried a couple of these a few years ago (sE Electronics Project Studio Reflexion Filter) but like Bob said, phase cancellation and not the sound you would like on guitar.

[Andy Howell]

I use an SE piece of kit - it really does make a difference to vocals - tightens everything up!

[moondoggie999]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

We bought a nice one to try here at the studio where I work and we all immediately noticed the phase cancellation that accompanied use of the thing. It's off in storage now.

Bob

Wow so you must've been getting reflections off the thing then? That's kinda self defeating for a piece of equipment.

[Bob Womack]

Yep. It is virtually impossible to introduce a boundary layer without reflections at one frequency or another.

Bob

[Fran Guidry]

I got some interesting results using two 2'x4'x4" OC703 panels in a V behind the mics. With a little ingenuity and/or money it's possible to raise this arrangement up in the air. This larger, softer configuration reduces reflections across a wider spectrum and doesn't generate the early reflections caused by things like the Reflexxion.

http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2011/...adband-panels/

Fran

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by Fran Guidry

I got some interesting results using two 2'x4'x4" OC703 panels in a V behind the mics. With a little ingenuity and/or money it's possible to raise this arrangement up in the air. This larger, softer configuration reduces reflections across a wider spectrum and doesn't generate the early reflections caused by things like the Reflexxion.

http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2011/...adband-panels/

Fran

Did the same with 4" X 2' X 4' ATS panels but about 3' behind mikes. Not sure it made enough predictable difference to be worth the bother.

[philjs]

Originally Posted by Fran Guidry

I got some interesting results using two 2'x4'x4" OC703 panels in a V behind the mics. With a little ingenuity and/or money it's possible to raise this arrangement up in the air. This larger, softer configuration reduces reflections across a wider spectrum and doesn't generate the early reflections caused by things like the Reflexxion.

http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2011/...adband-panels/

Fran

Sounds an awful lot like the 2'x2' RealTraps PVB (which comes with the two panels hinged and with a variable angle microphone stand mount), Fran...

Phil

[Ty Ford]

I'm not a fan, but I do use velvet fabric draped over my music metal music stands because I can hear the twang from the metal and sometimes a static flange from the reflection if I don't. That's different than trying to control wall reflections.

Regards,

Ty Ford

[Bob Womack]

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

I'm not a fan, but I do use velvet fabric draped over my music metal music stands because I can hear the twang from the metal and sometimes a static flange from the reflection if I don't. That's different than trying to control wall reflections.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Yep. We use absorbent on our music stands as well.

Bob

[MikeBmusic]

Originally Posted by Fran Guidry

I got some interesting results using two 2'x4'x4" OC703 panels in a V behind the mics. With a little ingenuity and/or money it's possible to raise this arrangement up in the air. This larger, softer configuration reduces reflections across a wider spectrum and doesn't generate the early reflections caused by things like the Reflexxion.

http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2011/...adband-panels/

Fran

I made all my 4" bass traps with hooks to hang them on the walls, or to take them down and use like this.

[moondoggie999]

Thanks all, lots of good food for thought here!