Manual

For a single point stereo room mic, position the SF-12 vertically at
four to eight feet in front of the kit. Compress to taste for either a
very natural drum sound (light compression) or large rock drum
sound (heavy compression).
For jazz recordings, EQ is generally not required. For more
aggressive drum tracks where cymbals need to sizzle, you can
brighten them by adding a few dB of 10K to 12K.
Brass
Brass records beautifully with ribbon microphones. For an overall
picture of a brass section within a larger recording session, try
placing the microphone two to three feet above the instrumentalists
and angled down, at a distance of three to eight feet from the section. For a solo trumpet, position
the SF-12 vertically at a height of four to eight feet and anywhere from five to 20 or more feet
from the section.
Close miking brass is a job for the Royer R-121, R-122, or R-122V - we do not recommend
close-miking with the SF-12.
Reed Instruments
Normal working distances are about a foot or two from a solo reed instrument. For multiple
instruments, try placing the microphone slightly above the instrumentalists and angled down, at a
distance of two to four feet.
Piano
There are several positions that will give excellent results with the piano. Start with a distance of
one foot to several feet from the bend of the piano. A more direct, up front sound will be
achieved when the microphone is placed closer to the soundboard. If it is possible to remove the
piano lid, an SF-12 suspended horizontally over the soundboard will give outstanding results. If
the room sounds good, try positioning the mic 10 to 20 feet from the piano for more room
ambience.
If you position the SF-12 under the open lid of the piano, there will be some amount of reflected
sound from the lid. Careful positioning can minimize or accentuate lid reflections, depending on
what sound you’re striving for.
Choir and Orchestra
An SF-12 can produce dramatically good recordings of an orchestra or choir. If possible, position
the SF-12 at approximately ten feet high and a few feet behind the conductor. The wide stereo
pickup will reproduce the orchestra or choir with a stunning you-are-there realism. The rear lobes
of the figure-8 elements bring the ambient qualities of the recording environment into the
recording, adding to the natural feel of the recorded performance.
Percussion
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