Testing new technique for micing with Royer R121 - HRM

[dogears]

Hey guys,

While enjoying a nice spicy orange beef lunch at NAMM, my bud John March (Zenguitarguy on TGP) described a new technique (for me) of recording with the Royer R121. Instead of facing the mic at the cab, he told me to try turning it at an angle ( I used about 60 degrees) so the sound blows across the ribbon. Here is my first effort! Mic was a few inches back and slightly off center. Baker B1 on bridge. Glaswerks on 90s voice. No processing, just a little reverb in mix. Very chewy. Highs are not as present as the SM57 or I5. G1265.

http://www.scottlernermusic.com/2008/Ro ... erks1a.mp3

[les_guitar]

Hi Scott,

Very nice. The sound is really smooth... Sounds great!

Les

[Tonegeek]

Clip sounds great! I really like the authority of the lows and the highs are smooth. Guess it would be helpful to have side by side clips using different mic techniques to see what the differences are.

Are you playing through a single g1265? I have been thinking lately that because I have a 2x12" cab that it makes recording close mic'ed more difficult because of the phase cancellation issues. I have a friend with a single 12" Celestion speaker based on the EV12-L (even has that hulking spider like the EV) that I would like to try recording with.

[greiswig]

Those Royers are really nice. The have a new vacuum tube model that is supposed to be the bees knees: the R-122V. Wish I could afford it!

I have an old Beyer ribbon that I use for my guitar cabinet, and I find it a lot more listenable than the SM-57.

Which Royer were you using on this clip?

[Fischerman]

Scott,
Read about the following technique somewhere...not sure if it sounds good or bad but here it is (going on fuzzy memory here): You basically set two cabinets with speakers facing each other with the mic in between the two speakers. Drive one speaker with a reversed-phase speaker cable and the other with a regular-phase speaker cable. I forget what type of mic was suggested (it wasn't a dynamic mic like a '57). Anyway...food for thought for obsessed vomiters of tone.

[dogears]

I guess I'll throw this one up here from yesterday. A bit bolder in the mix and different angle and placement. Fat switch was on. Big and FAT. Kind of too fat maybe? Not thin at all.....

http://www.scottlernermusic.com/2008/Ro ... WerksA.mp3

[Zippy]

Hard to imagine that coming from the bridge pickup. Is it still usable with the neck pickup or does it get muddy?

[Tonegeek]

I guess I'll throw this one up here from yesterday. A bit bolder in the mix and different angle and placement. Fat switch was on. Big and FAT. Kind of too fat maybe? Not thin at all.....

http://www.scottlernermusic.com/2008/Ro ... WerksA.mp3

Hey- you're stepping on the bass player just kidding. It is not thin, thats for sure.

[anyone]

Hey Scott,

Very cool, man. I enjoyed listening to that one several times. I love the wreckless precision and pocket you've got. Your playing tends to transcend gear, but I think this one might sound even more freakin' incredible than the others...?

It was great to meet you and get to hang a little at NAMM.

Cheers,

Chris

EDIT: I should've checked the thread again before posting. The playing in the first one speaks to me more, but I think I like the tone in the second one better... awe man, now I'm confused...

[rgee27]

Scott,

Amazing tone...and playing..

Thanks for the call the other day by the way..Ended up selling the Fuchs today. Now , what shall I buy to replace it???? D'Lite? Bludo? Glaswerks? I think the D'Lite is the only one I can get relatively quickly...

Richard

[Deric]

I think I liked the first clip better - although it just might be "too" smooth.

I really enjoy ALL of your clips.

THANKS!

..now I have to go practice............

[butwhatif]

This mic technique originated in the '40s or 50s, and works to varying degrees with any mic. Keep in mind the Royer is figure 8, and as you rotate
the mic close to the source you start to get phase cancellation, which may or may not truthfully represent the sound source , not bad, just beyond real. I've used these for years, and love them for guitar amps. Also the royer supposedly is brighter from the back, and many unique sounds can be obtained w/it.

[mat]

I guess I'll throw this one up here from yesterday. A bit bolder in the mix and different angle and placement. Fat switch was on. Big and FAT. Kind of too fat maybe? Not thin at all.....

http://www.scottlernermusic.com/2008/Ro ... WerksA.mp3

I love that tone Is that HRM or non ?

Outstanding playing

[stelligan]

Scott,
Great playing as always. I absolutely love the mids and lows on clip 2 "A". I am just yearning for a tad of extreme high end in there. If you can get at it with a little EQ - It would slay me. I'd say clip "1a" has a good overall balance, yet doesn't excite me as much as the second clip. May just be the level in the mix. Only MHO. Always like to listen - I need to start stealing licks . Very interesting twist(literally) - I was not hip to it either. Thanks,
Dave