What is ORTF miking?

ORTF (Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française) miking is a popular stereo recording technique using two cardioid microphones spaced 17 cm apart and angled at 110 degrees, mimicking human ear placement to capture a wide, natural, and immersive stereo image, combining time and intensity differences for realistic sound reproduction, especially good for ensembles and ambient recordings.

What is the ortf technique of micing?

ORTF setup. This technique combines both the volume difference and the timing difference as sound arrives on- and off-axis at two cardioid microphones spread to a 110° angle, and spaced 17 cm apart. The microphones should be as similar as possible, preferably a frequency-matched pair of an identical type and model.

What does ORTF mean?

What is "ORTF"? ORTF. An abbreviation for Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (French Radio and Television Office). Also a name for a specific microphone setup for near-coincident stereo recording with two cardioid microphones.

What is the ORTF mic technique for choir?

With ORTF, you have your mic capsules aimed with an exact 110 degree angle difference from each other. The mics must also be spaced exactly 17cm apart. Looking at a diagram of it, you can see that this setup approximates the positioning of ears on a human head (although, don't confuse it with binaural recordings!).

What does "close miking" mean?

In audio production, close-miking involves placing a microphone very near to the source of sound—often within just a few inches. This technique sharply separates the desired audio from any surrounding noise, making it ideal for settings where you want the subject's voice or instrument to stand out.

Classic Recording Techniques for a High Resolution Future

What mic does Taylor Swift use?

Taylor Swift uses different microphones for studio recording and live performances, including the Avantone CV-12 and Telefunken U47 for studio work on recent albums, and various Shure or customized mics like the Sennheiser with custom paint for live shows, often employing Shure's ADX2 wireless system with SeV7 capsules for The Eras Tour. For earlier tours, she used Audio-Technica systems like the AEW-T4100.
 

What is the famous drum miking technique?

The Glyn Johns Method

This drum miking technique uses one overhead mic, several feet above the center of the kick, and another mic off to the side near the floor tom. He would usually add in a kick drum mic and occasionally use a snare drum close mic.

What is the best mic pattern for a choir?

A condenser mic with a cardioid or super-cardioid polar pattern is the microphone most often used for choir applications. Cardioid or super-cardioid patterns reject feedback, yet they have a wide sound pickup for good coverage of multiple singers.

What are the benefits of ORTF?

ORTF tends to pick up less ambience than some of the other stereo microphone techniques, so you can often place the microphones further back from the source without having the ratio of reverberant to direct sound getting out of control.

What is the angle of the mic in the ORTF?

The ORTF stereo technique uses two first order cardioid microphones with a spacing of 17 cm between the microphone diaphragms, and with an 110° angle between the capsules.

What is the French ORTF arrangement?

There are different standards for the angle and distances between the mics, but one of the most popular is the French ORTF arrangement. This uses a 110-degree angle between the microphones with the microphone heads positioned six inches apart.

What is the 3 1 rule for choir mics?

The 3:1 rule for choir mics is a guideline to prevent phase cancellation by ensuring the distance between microphones is at least three times the distance from the first mic to the sound source (the choir). For example, if a mic is 3 feet from the choir, the next mic should be placed 9 feet away from the first mic, keeping the sound fuller and clearer by minimizing frequency interference, notes Productions Magazine and Shure.
 

Why do singers pull the mic away?

Pulling the microphone slightly away from your mouth can be beneficial when hitting high notes, which naturally increase in volume and intensity. This technique helps mitigate the risk of audio distortion and prevents overwhelming the mic's input, which can lead to harsh, unpleasant sounds or feedback.

What is the rule of 3 microphone?

The "mic rule of thirds," more commonly known as the 3:1 Rule of Microphone Placement, is a guideline to prevent phase cancellation when using multiple microphones by ensuring the second mic is at least three times farther from its source than the first mic is from its source, minimizing comb filtering and maintaining audio clarity, especially when mixed to mono. For instance, if a mic is 1 foot from a singer, the next mic should be at least 3 feet from that singer. 

What is the 80 20 rule in drumming?

The 80/20 rule in drumming (Pareto Principle) means identifying the vital 20% of skills or practice efforts that produce 80% of your musical improvement, focusing heavily on fundamentals like timekeeping, groove, dynamics, and core rudiments, rather than getting lost in complex but rarely used techniques. It's about maximizing efficiency by tackling the biggest obstacles—like playing in time or achieving independence—that yield the most significant results, making you a more musical and effective drummer faster. 

What is the 3 to 1 rule for microphones?

The 3:1 rule for microphones is a guideline to prevent phase cancellation when using multiple mics, stating the second microphone should be placed at least three times farther away from the first microphone than the first microphone is from its sound source, creating a significant level difference (around 10dB) that reduces phase issues and bleed. For example, if Mic 1 is 1 foot from a source, Mic 2 should be at least 3 feet from Mic 1. This rule helps minimize comb filtering and maintains clearer audio, especially when summing to mono, though it's a starting point, not a strict law.
 

What does putting a pillow in a kick drum do?

Drummers put pillows in bass drums primarily to muffle unwanted overtones and sustain, creating a shorter, punchier, more controlled "thud" sound, especially useful for recording or styles needing a tight low end, rather than a long, resonant boom. The pillow dampens the vibrations of the drum heads, reducing excess ring and creating a focused, solid impact sound by limiting internal airspace and head movement.
 

What singer has the rarest voice?

The rarest singing voice is generally considered the contralto for females and the countertenor (or male soprano/sopranist) for males, both known for their extreme ranges, with contraltos possessing the deepest female voice and countertenors the highest male voice, often achieved through falsetto or unique physiological traits. True operatic contraltos are exceptionally rare, as are sopranists (men singing in the soprano range).
 

Did Taylor Swift have a 4.0 GPA?

Yes, Taylor Swift had a 4.0 GPA in high school, graduating early by completing her junior and senior years through homeschooling in just 12 months alongside her busy music career. She was known as a diligent student, achieving straight A's and even getting a B in math in ninth grade before accelerating her studies, according to reports from Rolling Stone and Quora users.
 

What mic did Billie Eilish use?

Billie Eilish uses different microphones for studio recording versus live performances, but key ones include the high-end Telefunken ELA M 251 and classic Neumann TLM 103 for studio vocals, while live she often uses the sE Electronics V7 MC1 (wireless capsule) for its excellent noise rejection, and the budget-friendly Audio-Technica AT2020 for early work like "Ocean Eyes". Her producer brother Finneas also uses a Chandler RED mic in their home setup.
 

What are the three main types of mics?

The three main types of microphones are Dynamic, Condenser, and Ribbon, each converting sound to electrical signals differently, making them suited for various tasks: Dynamics are rugged for loud sources (live vocals, drums), Condensers are detailed for studio vocals/acoustic instruments (need phantom power), and Ribbons offer warm, vintage sounds for controlled studio use, though they are fragile.
 

Should my mic be above or below my mouth?

A good rule of thumb is to have the mic positioned about 6-12 inches away from your mouth. As you get closer to the mic, an increase in low frequency response can occur, causing your voice to be overly bassy.