User Manual

Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins

Off-Axis Correction

All mics have an inconsistent polar response across frequency. For example, even high-quality, large-

diaphragm, cardioid, condenser mics are only accurately cardioid in a limited frequency range, such as

1 – 2 kHz; they deviate to omni and figure-8 at lower and higher frequencies, respectively.

OFF-AXIS

CORRECTION is a unique DSP process that renders a more consistent off-axis response across frequency.

While a frequency-dependent polar response is part of what gives each mic its special character, it can

have considerable disadvantages, such as increased bleed, coloration of the room response, and

susceptibility to feedback.

OFF-AXIS CORRECTION can reduce all of these problems, sometimes dramat-

ically, while still maintaining the on-axis frequency response characteristics. The direct sound is not

affected.

TIP: You can apply a different polar pattern to an existing mic. For example, replace the figure-8

pattern of a 4038 Ribbon with a cardioid to create a mic that does not exist in the real world.

Off-Axis Correction Enable

This parameter activates the OFF-AXIS CORRECTION feature. Click to toggle between IN and OUT.

Off-Axis Correction Pattern

This parameter lets the user select a more idealized pattern that may suit the application better than

the mic model

’s original pattern. When enabled, this overrides the off-axis patterns for MIC 1 and MIC 2.

There are nine settings that range from omni (fully counter-clockwise) to figure 8 (fully clockwise). The

figure below shows the pattern names as the control is adjusted.

Figure 3-4 OFF-AXIS CORRECTION pattern values

figure-8

subcardioid

sub-8

hypercardioid

supercardioid

cardioid

omni

sub-omni

wide-cardioid