
Professional 7.1 Channel H2-PRO
The
only patented microphone system to capture natural and discreet
multi-channel surround sound: up to 7.1 channels (left, center, right,
left surround, right surround, center rear (EX and ES), and top (IMAX).
- Takes the guesswork out of recording surround.
- Lightweight and inexpensive solution to instantly capture live surround sound for professional recording or broadcast.
- No mixing, signal manipulation or processing is required, direct and discrete signal path from the mic to the monitor.
- Easy set-up, point and shoot operation with plug and play capability.
- Compatible with all eight-channel mic preamps, location recorders and recording consoles providing phantom power.
- Compatible with all surround sound encoding/playback formats (Dolby, DTS, Circle Surround, IMAX etc.
- Rugged design for outdoor environments.
The
new Holophone H2-PRO Surround Sound Microphone is the only patented
device specifically designed for capturing discrete 5.1, 6.1, and
7.1-channels of surround sound for all professional audio applications.
Its
flexibility, ease of use, and performance make the H2-PRO ideal for
recording live events and in-studio use. It is well suited for
television broadcasters (standard TV, DTV, and HDTV), radio
broadcasters, music producers and engineers, film location recording
crews, and for independent project studios. All surround sound
recordings from the H2-PRO are discrete and in real-time, thereby very
easy to bring into any broadcast or studio environment, manipulate, mix
and/or encode into any/all of the standard consumer playback formats -
Dolby, DTS, and Circle Surround. The H-2 Pro provides engineers and
producers total control over all incoming, discrete surround sound audio
signals and delivers those signals in an intuitive way.
The
Holophone H2-PRO Surround Sound Microphone is entirely compatible with
all standard analog and digital I/O devices that accept up to eight
channels and provide phantom power including hard disc based recorders,
multichannel preamplifiers, standard multichannel I/Os, and all mixing
consoles.
The unique and recognizable,
elliptical shape of the Holophone H2-PRO emulates the characteristics of
a human head. Sound waves "bend around" the H2-PRO as they do around
the head providing the most accurate spatiality, audio imaging, and
natural directionality of any audio capture device. Capturing the
directionality of these soundwaves translates into a very realistic
surround sound experience.
The total surface
area of the eight individual elements combines with the spherical
embodiment of the H2-PRO to capture the rich acoustical textures
required for true surround reproduction. The embodiment itself acts as a
acoustic lens capturing massive lows and the cleanest of highs. A
complete soundfield can be easily and accurately replicated without the
use of additional microphones - a simple point-and-shoot operation.
The
Holophone H2-PRO is the only microphone capable of recording up to
7.1-channels of discrete surround sound. The H2-PRO terminates in eight
XLR microphone cable-ends (Left, Right, Center, Low Frequency, Left
Surround, Right Surround, Top, and Center Rear). These co-relate to the
standard 5.1-channels and add a top channel for formats such as IMAX and
a center rear channel for extended surround formats such as Dolby EX
and DTS ES. Recording engineers and producers have total control and
flexibility over the incoming, discrete surround sound audio signals and
may choose to use as many or as few channels as any surround project
requires as channel assignments are discrete all the way from the
recording and mixing process to final delivery.
The
Holophone H2-PRO Surround Sound Microphone is a breakthrough for all
audio professionals recording surround sound. It greatly simplifies the
complex issues of microphone placement in any environment, taking the
guesswork out of capturing surround sound. Entirely compatible with all
surround audio mixing and playback systems, the H2-PRO also enhances
mono and stereo mixes. It is the perfect cost effective front-end
solution for all professional surround sound audio applications.
A Cure for the Breezes!!
A
Windscreen that encapsulates the Holophone H2-PRO head is available for
outdoor use. It is very simple to use and light weight. The screen
significantly reduces wind noise while also slightly increasing
directivity of the microphone elements. It attaches firmly and easily
with Velcro tabs for use in high winds......
Using the H2-PRO
The
Holophone H2-PRO is remarkably simple to use, because it accurately
reproduces in three dimensions what one would hear at a particular
location in space. In most cases, if you have experience recording sound
with traditional microphones, you can rely on your ear and your
intuition as to exact placement for a particular event or venue.
Here are a few additional suggestions: (please note these are only suggestions)
The
simplest method is highly effective. Give the Holophone the best seat
in the house and let it do its work. You will be amazed at the accuracy
of the ambient sound. For a concert situation with arena-style seating,
you might place the Holophone H2-PRO a little higher than the orchestra,
tilting the nose down towards the performers.
Use the
Holophone H2-PRO to provide the "base" ambient surround sound for your
mix. Make sure to give the Holophone tracks "space" in the mix in which
to further construct your mix, bearing in mind that the Holophone will
provide a sonically complete Surround Sound picture to begin with. The
usual approach is to place the Holophone along the center line of the
event to get a sonic capture with proper left/right balance. Aim the
pointed front of the Holophone towards the front and the round back
towards the rear of the venue. Additional spot microphones can be used
to feature specific areas or instruments in the recording, and to
complete the desired soundscape.
Remember: The Holophone's
microphone configuration directly relates to a listener's perspective in
a home theater, etc. Treat the Holophone like a sonic camera, keeping
the center "nose" microphone element forward, the left pointing left and
the right pointing to the right of the performance.
If you
are used to working with other microphones in a particular way, you can
use the Holophone H2-PRO to provide the ambient sound of a venue and
build the rest of the mix around it. Place it in a position that will
not cause phase or delay problems when used with the signals captured by
the other microphones. In most cases, in large venues try to position
the Holophone as close to "Front Row Center" as possible, rather than
near the back of the room (as with some traditional ambient
microphonetechniques).
When mixing Holophone tracks with other
audio tracks for broadcast, including for voice-over or sportscaster
talent, try to mix the dialogue not only into the Center channel, but
also place the dialogue slightly in the Left and Right and to some
degree the Surround channels for increased spatial realism. When the
overall captured sound is three-dimensional, the Center dialogue channel
can become very thin in comparison to the rest of the sound picture.
Spreading the dialogue image over a wider space seems to rectify the
situation. This has proven to be very effective when combined with
Holophone derived Surround Sound ambience.
For Sports
broadcasting in most field sporting events, and for fixed installations
such as arenas, it is desirable to place the Holophone either near the
center of the field, or else near a Main Camera position off to the one
side that will work in conjunction with the main camera angle of the
broadcast. For example, place the Holophone along the sidelines on the
50 yard line of a football game, or facing center ice in an ice hockey
arena. Always keep in mind the perspective of the television viewer.
Mounting the Holophone on a side of a field or rink opposite to the main
camera angle would seem backwards and unnatural.
In
situations involving multiple and simultaneous use of two or more
Holophone systems, combining the signals together may alter the
localization characteristics of the main recording, since two
soundscapes and perspectives are being combined. This can be manipulated
into an intriguing effect and can also be used for multiple
perspectives of a venue for DVD, or broadcast, etc.
For track
sports, including motor sports or running events with multiple camera
angles on corners, hills or jumps, you can employ multiple Holophone
units with an audio switcher from unit to unit. Use this configuration
in conjunction with a camera switcher to match the changing perspectives
of the cameras.
The Holophone can be mounted
"upside down" from the ceiling by turning the adjustment knobs on the
sides of the unit, flipping the system over, and then re-tightening the
knobs. (The top microphone stays in the top position pointing UP, so
that the Holophone's microphone layout remains intact and compatible
when used in conjunction with the corresponding channels of the eventual
playback system.)
Audio "zoom" can be achieved by "riding"
the faders of a mixer connected to the Holophone. The front (L,C,R)
channels can be "pushed" in the mix while the rear (Ls, Rs, CR) channels
can be "dimmed" slightly to increase the fore/ aft bias of the
recording to the front (or vice versa). Side to side "zoom" can be
achieved in a similar fashion.
For Holophone Surround Sound
recording of acoustic instruments, including drum kits, pianos and voice
at close range, try placing the Holophone near or above the instrument
that is being recorded. For vocal or choirs, position the singers around
the Holophone and monitor in Surround to hear the results! The
possibilities are limitless. Please e-mail us and let us know if you
find something cool!
Cabling Scenarios
Direct to console
Plug
the XLR mic-level outputs of the Holophone into the inputs of a console
with gain control and phantom power available. Treat the outputs as you
would eight individual microphones with each channel hard-panned to its
corresponding surround channel. For most recording situations set the
gain the same across all channels.
Direct to recording device supplying microphone with phantom power
Plug
the XLR mic-level outputs of the Holophone into the inputs of a
recording device (such as a portable audio recorder or audio console)
with gain control and phantom power available.
Using a multichannel microphone preamplifier
Plug
the XLR mic-level outputs of the Holophone into the inputs of a preamp.
Connect the outputs of the preamp to the inputs of the console or
recording device. Turn phantom power on, and set gain the same for all
channels (relative to each other).