Big G wrote
Thats a lovely setup! Somewhat jealous! ?
Those Portico's are seriously nice! I missed out on one going for rediculously cheap a few months back, and am kicking myself, as I could never afford one normally!
Just to ask, which do you prefer? The Portico or the ISA2? Obviously both are good, but which is your favourite?
Thanks Big G - I think this is the same Portico... ?
I haven't actually done a direct comparison with the same source yet. I've tracked the Avantones on guitar cabs into the ISA and DI'd bass into the ISA. And then 57's on guitar cabs and vocals into the Portico. The ISA has more features - the variable impedance is nice with the ribbons. The Portico unfortunately doesn't have a DI in. So I guess my answer is I don't know ?
Big G wrote
On another note, how are you enjoying the Avantone's? I've been toying with the idea of getting one of the CR-12's, but the fact that they pick up from both sides of the capsule keeps putting me off.
Avantones are great, I have noticed however that the build quality could be better. Sound wise I think they are good, with good placement you can get a warm but clear (i.e. not muddy) tone. Only used them on guitar cabs really. I've heard them as drum room mics before and they work well. Nice thing is you can put them right up to a loud cab and not worry. 57 + these ribbons is a nice combo I think. Like I said earlier I'll post our recordings when they're done and you can hear ? Just be nice ?
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Big G wrote
the fact that they pick up from both sides of the capsule keeps putting me off.
That's the nature of the beast and the figure-8 polar pattern is part of the attraction IMO. Aside from specialised techniques such as mid-side and Blumlein, the huge advantage of a figure-8 pattern is how well it rejects sound at 90 degrees off axis. Try a pair next time you record a singer/guitarist - with a bit of damping behind the mics to control the room reflections, you can get much more natural sound from both sources with better separation.
There have been some cardioid ribbons through the years too (though I'm not sure what is available these days).
Yes, we used the panels behind the mics to create a "booth", simply because it wasn't a great sounding room. But in a nice room I suppose it can be good. I saw Tomcat used a Beyerdynamic ribbon live recently that looks like a cardiod.
I must say our guitar recording situation wasn't the best - "control room" was in the same room as the amps, so it was a mission to find the best mic positions cos you had to record a piece and move mics, and repeat, instead of getting someone to move the mics while playing. And loud amps take their toll!
