Ceiling microphone rigs..?

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:54 am

Hi!
I'm a sound engineering student in Piteå, northern Sweden. We've recently (last year) built a new concert hall with adjustable inner ceiling; from 1 to 2,4s RT60. This is very nice... And I love making recordings in this all-wood space.
If you are interested, I could perhaps upload some samples?

But; the matter in question. I feel there's a need for a permanent microphone rig in the building; as of now we only have some holes that we can drop microphones with long cables from, and I would like a permanent but adjustable "flying" solution for at least three mics in front. Do you have any ideas of solutions to this? I.e, companies that makes these sorta things?

Thank you.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:52 pm

Johannes,

This is a subject very dear to my heart. For the last 15 years I have been wrestling with this seemingly intractable problem.

I have had to make many mic slings myself from carbon fibre kite spars hanging on mic cable with fishing line pulling into a catenary, because halls have nothing.

Here are some pictures to give you some ideas. I am using Schoeps flute clips FA15 to clip mics to carbon bars.

http://www.lodestarrecordings.com.au/downloads/SF24_ConTheatre.jpg
http://www.lodestarrecordings.com.au/downloads/20040512271.jpg
http://www.lodestarrecordings.com.au/downloads/20040803001.jpg
http://www.lodestarrecordings.com.au/downloads/P1020104.jpg

As far as the availability of commercial grade mic winches is concerned there is very little info around. There are these:
http://www.hyfax.co.jp/e/Products/MHL-30/psm_MHL_install01_e.html
http://www.hyfax.co.jp/e/Products/MHL-30/MHL-30_Brochure.pdf

I am about to make up some more slings from the reinforced Mogami cable W3178,
http://www.mogamicable.com/Bulk/micr_cables/stereo_miccab/stermicc.html

Hope this gets you started. Finally here are a couple of threads on Gearslutz where this important topic is discussed.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/remote-possibilities-acoustic-music-location-recording/133810-best-flying-mics.html

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/remote-possibilities-acoustic-music-location-recording/56372-question-hanging-mics.html

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:07 am

Look at the MMP Series Arrays and Accessories from AEA

http://www.wesdooley.com/pdf/PriceList_web.pdf

Expensive but beautifully made and very rugged.

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:22 pm

Thank you both!
I've mailed Hyfax and hope to get a response from them soon. They seem very serious, what with having installed at the Danish Radio and at the Tonmeister Institute in Detmold.

Do not hesitate to bring up more ideas; I'm particularily interested in things approaching the Hyfax level.

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