PolarFlex(TM) - System for Modeling any Microphone
ポラーフレック スシステム
Make the recording first and then choose the microphones...
- two output channels
- emulates the sound of any microphone
- offers many new creative possibilities for shaping the sound of a recording
- frequency response and polar pattern can be tailored
- the characteristics of the recording microphones can be chosen after the recording (post-processing in the digital domain)
- digital and analog inputs and outputs
- analog-style controls
- user preference settings can be stored and recalled
Condenser microphones of the same nominal directional pattern often sound quite different from one another. Differing on-axis frequency response explains only part of the sonic impression; equally important is the fact that polar patterns vary throughout a microphone's frequency range, and that they do so differently in different types of microphone. The lack of constancy in polar response is technically a defect, but realistically such defects can be used to advantage when adapting to the acoustics of a particular recording environment.
Equalization can be used to control the effective frequency response of a microphone. Until now, however, there has been no direct way to alter polar patterns in a corresponding manner, i.e. separately within specific frequency ranges. With the DSP-4P processor, nearly-ideal (i.e. frequency-independent) directional characteristics can be selected ? or nearly any frequency-dependent directional characteristic can be chosen, e.g. a “cardioid“ which becomes omnidirectional below the midrange so that it has better response at the very lowest frequencies.
The DSP-4P can model well-known microphones (e.g. the behavior of large-diaphragm microphones can readily be synthesized), but its most interesting application may be to optimize a recording by defining characteristics that do not exist in any real-world microphone of today. In an excessively reverberant space one could obtain a “drier” sound (cardioid or supercardioid setting) or in spaces that are dry, one could accept more room reflections (wide cardioid or omni setting) ? either across the bandwidth or in a particular frequency range. The ratio of direct to reflected sound would thus be altered rather than the on-axis frequency response. That cannot be done with an equalizer ? nor can a reverb unit reduce the degree of reflected sound in a recording after it has been made.
The PolarFlex(TM) microphone system consists of:
- a pressure transducer (omni) and a figure-8 per channel (also two cardioids per channel can be used)
- the DSP-4P stereo processor
On the right, two suitable double microphone arrangements are shown. They both are made up of SCHOEPS microphones and accessories.
The upper arrangement (omni + figure-8) consists of:
- An omnidirectional microphone with a mild high-frequency emphasis in the direct sound field (shown here: CCM 2SLg). Because of its angle of orientation, the capsule has ideal directional response in the horizontal plane. The high-frequency emphasis compensates for the high-frequency losses due to lateral sound incidence.
- A figure-8 microphone (CCM 8Lg) set directly above the omni; the direction in which it is aimed will determine the orientation of the resulting adjustable “virtual” microphone. The hemispherical device attached to the top of the figure-8 flattens the response of the omnidirectional microphone at the highest frequencies.
The second arrangement consists of an X/Y stereo microphone, the SCHOEPS CMXY 4V. The two cardioids have been rotated to an included angle of 180°, and are aimed forward and backward.
Other small-diaphragm condenser microphones can also be used. They must be small-diaphragm microphones, however, since only those would have a sufficiently uniform directional characteristic throughout the frequency range. If another kind of microphone is used, the result could be uncontrolled polar response at various frequencies. If the first arrangement (shown on top) is being followed, the figure-8 microphone should have flat frequency response, while the omni should have a slight diffuse-field equalization (a high-frequency emphasis as measured on axis).
Processor
The following settings can be made independently of one another in three adjustable frequency ranges. With the three knobs in the upper row, the directional patterns in each of the three frequency bands can be set. The settings are indicated by a circle of LEDs around each of the knobs. At the lower left of each knob is the omnidirectional setting; at the lower right is the figure-8 setting. Eleven intermediate pattern settings are available. The knobs in the lower row are set between those in the upper row. They are used for setting the boundaries between the frequency ranges: 100 Hz ? 1 kHz and 1 kHz ? 10 kHz respectively, in third-octave steps.
If the unprocessed microphone signals have been recorded, these adjustments can be made after the recording during post-processing.
The three buttons at the lower right are for storing and recalling presets.
The processor operates at 24-bit resolution with either a 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz sampling rate (switchable). When a digital device is connected to the input, the PolarFlex(TM) processor adapts to its clock signal.
The PolarFlex(TM) is offered as a complete set, including:
DSP-4P processor including mains cable and a polished wood case
2× CCM 2S Lg (omni)
2× CCM 8 Lg (figure-8)
The two pairs of CCM are selected and matched. They are delivered with adapter cables K 5 LU (Lemo/ XLR-3M), stand adapters SGC and a polished wood case.
2× KA DTM hemispherical cap for CCM 8
2× B-DTM microphone bars
1× traverse bar for mounting two “PolarFlex” microphones with B-DTM bar on a common microphone stand in various simple stereo setups
2× KLY-DTM Y-cable for connecting each microphone pair via KS 5 IU adapter cable
2× KS 5 IU, extension cable for the Y-cable KLY-DTM, 5 m long, Binder miniature plug to XLR-5M
1× AK SU/2U adapter cable (XLR-5F to 2× XLR-3M) for the analog outputs of the processor
Optional accessories:
XLR-5 extension cables for the microphone pairs (two would be needed for the four microphones):
KS 10 U, KS 20 U, KS 30 U (10, 20 and 30 m long)
Manual (PDF with 0.6 MB)
Technical specifications
