Surround Comparison

SURROUND_REF_POCHETTE_AF

The purpose of this test is to know about how the different surround rigs react in different locations. Here are the 3 setups chosen for this test :

  1. Schoeps Double MS with Cinela Pianissimo blimp
  2. Rode NT-SF1 Ambisonic microphone with its blimp and suspension set in the Up position
  3. Michael Williams Surround Tree mounted with 4 or 5 Sennheiser MKH 8090 with Rycote Baby Ball 

Surround Formats Overview

I was able to do recordings in 5.0 format, and have the capacity to do it in 4.0 (QUAD) version too, with another set of smaller bars for the M.W Surround Tree. For the DMS and Ambisonic systems, it was something managed in postproduction. We have the ability to choose what we would like as delivered format : 5.0 surround, 4.0 QUAD, 2.0 stereo and even more.

  • 5.0 Surround
  • 4.0 QUAD
  • 2.0 Stereo

LOCATIONS

Some of the recording locations for testing these surround rigs included :

  • An old attic open to the outside with a distant road and daily traffic on a rainy day
  • The city heights with a distant city rumble, distant traffic, and a helicopter passing by.
  • A city Park with children playing and public walking. The noise of people playing tennis and people talking with city rumble at the back
  • A city square with pedestrians, people on bicycles, and vehicles traffic
  • A field with a water course on the front and cars passing behind both at a distance.
  • A bedroom with open and closed window configurations

Purpose

The main goal of this comparison is to listen these rigs in 5.0 surround and 4.0 QUAD positions with the same sound source. It also compares the stereo reduction of all these rigs. 

The recordings from these locations have detailed metadata to simplify the process of comparison.

So, now you can listen to these files and comment on all the differences you find between these formats. Remember that these sounds are free and can be used without issues.

Here you will find contextualization videos, showing the different recording systems in the different recording locations. 

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