The truthful detail and extended low-end inherent in the N8 make it an outstanding tool for capturing the comprehensive sound of a room. Its far-field design lends well to recording sources from as far as 20 feet away while still retaining low-end response. Effectively positioning the N8 in a room simply requires exploring the space and actively listening for the most balanced sound.
The effectiveness of the N8 is magnified when two of the mics are arranged in stereo Blumlein configuration. An exceedingly popular array in orchestral and scoring applications, N8s in stereo Blumlein produce a balanced and comprehensive image of all instruments in the room. The NUVO Stereo Kit is an all-inclusive package that makes stereo recording quick and painless. Change the position of the N8 array relative to the source to affect the balance of direct and indirect sound until the desired results are achieved.
If you have a cavernous sounding room, a stairwell, or even a small yet nice sounding room, the N8s will shine and truly capture the depth of the space. Walk around the room until you find a spot that you like the sound of and place the mic there. The N8s will capture a natural and detailed sound that can often stand on its own.
A popular method of using a pair of N8s in the room is to pair it with a close mic. The N8s add room depth and natural reverb while the close mic provides focus.
The N8s can also be used in the same way to capture the natural room reverb of a full band. This can then be blended with close mics to add depth and dimension to your recordings.
The far-field N8 delivers a balanced treble/bass ratio from as far as 20 feet away, supplementing the direct sound of an instrument with expansive, dimensional room sound. Recording an entire string section is made simple by fixing two N8s in the Blumlein configuration or ORTF and perching it 6 to 10 feet in front of the instrumentalists. By moving the N8 or N8 Stereo Kit array closer or farther from the source, one can find the desired treble/bass ratio as well as balanced direct sound/room sound.
In many instances, a pair of N8s positioned in Blumlein configuration or ORTF from 10 – 20 feet away from an orchestra is all that you need to really capture the sound of the musicians in the room. This setup with N8s has become a staple in Hollywood when recording movie scores.
In the following video, Kaleidoscope, an incredible conductorless chamber orchestra, performs a breathtaking piece by Prokofiev with only a pair of N8s in ORTF positioned 10 feet above the stage. In this video, only the N8s are heard.
Knowing the difference will change the way you record.
