Yamaha YT150 Guitar/Bass Tuner

Yamaha innovation grants the YT150 features normally found exclusively in more expensive tuners. High-resolution LCD meter display provides quick, accurate tuning. Made possible by sharp/flat/in-tune LEDs, tuning in the dark or from a distance becomes a breeze. The TY150 model tunes any acoustic, electric or bass guitar (4, 5, or 6 string) and includes a special "bass mode" displaying bass string notes in proper order.

It is an old configuration but one of the better form of configuration where the music is reproduced quite correctly. Here, two omnidirectional mics are placed apart by a dummy head put in between to reflect a dummy human head. This configuration is a simulation to reflect how the human ears pick up the sound, and quite readily shows the importance of microphone placement in a recording session. The recording is to be listened to using headphones.

The distance between the two mics causes the beat frequency problem. This configuration solves the earlier problem. Here the two cardioids mics are placed close to each other, with a right angle formed at the top.

An amateur musician cannot overlook the importance of microphone placement, as it is the microphone which captures the music and converts it into electrical signals, to be decoded later by the speakers.

MS Configuration

AB Configuration

For drums the mic needed to have the ability to handle High SPL or Sound Pressure level, as at times the sound pressure created by drums can be of extreme nature. For Snares one mic may be placed from top and the other from the bottom. Mics must also be used for the Kicks, the Toms, Hi Hats and the Ambience.

Importance of microphone placement and the accepted configuration for Stereo Recordings

XY Configuration

MS is acronym for Mid or Side configuration. It is one of the most interesting of all the configurations. For this configuration one Cardioid mic or an omnidirectional mic is used along with a Figure 8 mic. Figure 8 is a type of mic where both the left and right channel possesses a transducer facing 180 degree from each other. It is a type of stereo mic, hence the two channels, left and right, are distinct from each other.

Microphones are like real estate property; placement and location is one aspect which cannot be neglected. If a microphone testing is conducted with a number of positions of the microphone, and the music is recorded, it will definitely show the great importance of microphone placement.

Binaural Configuration

The simplest form of all the other configurations is the AB form. Two Cardioids mics are placed several feet apart, facing forward, with an angle between each other. However, this configuration can cause some problems. When the sound waves are entering into the mics they may land odd timed with each other causing constructive and destructive frequencies. In the recording this may show as beat frequency.

Importance of Microphone Placement

Steps to remember in pacing a microphone correctly

One of the rules of thumb is to place the mic at the side of the mouth of the speaker but as close as possible. However, if it is too close it would pick up unwanted sounds.

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