The R44 is ideally equipped to capture the detail and tonality of an entire band on its own. High-frequency roll-off and big ribbon character combine to deliver an ultimately smooth and warm vocal sound.
Full Bands
The R44 can also be used on its own to capture a detailed performance of a full band. Early methods for capturing ensembles involved gathering several vocalists and instrumentalists around an R44 for practical purposes. Mixing the volumes of individual performers required physically adjusting the formation of the ensemble around the microphone or asking instrumentalists to temper their playing volume.
Instruments within 6 feet of the R44’s reach will benefit from its pronounced proximity effect. This accentuated effect low-end adds warmth and depth to the tonality already present in your instrument. Instrumentalists can take advantage of proximity effect as they wish by moving their instrument closer or farther from the R44 based on what they play throughout a performance. The closer the mic is positioned to the band, the less room tone will be captured.
In the following video, Sour Bridges performs ‘Dirt Poor’ and ‘Please Please Please’ at Austin Signal Studios as a part of their Single Mic Series. Arranged around a single R44C, the band features lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, acoustic bass, and violin. Sour Bridge’s country twang is captured on tape and transferred directly to vinyl.
