CAD Audio’s AS22 ($89 MAP) and AS16 ($69 MAP) are the two latest models in the Acousti-shield stand mounted acoustic enclosure line. By using absorptive micro-cell acoustic foam (porous polyurethane), the Acousti-shields enclose and set up a dry, micro sonic environment surrounding the microphone. They are useful both in the studio and in live sound to reduce unwanted leakage or reflections that are also picked up by the microphone.
The larger Acousti-shield 22 is a foldable stand mounted acoustic enclosure and uses a 16-gauge, perforated stainless steel shield mated to 53-mm thick high-density micro cell acoustic foam. The AS16 Acousti-shield (pictured) is for studio recordings or on stages for a lower profile. It uses a center-mounting system that fits microphones from pencil condensers to the most popular dynamic instrument mics.
I tried the AS16 in a very ambient room to record a Martin acoustic guitar with a CAD E70 pencil condenser microphone and its omni-directional capsule to capture the guitar’s entire sound plus some of the room’s ambience. My guitarist plays loud and the omni pattern picked up a little too much of the room. Surrounding the mic with the AS16, the room tone mixing with the direct sound coming into the E70 was reduced.
Both the AS22 and AS16 are supplied with mounting hardware that allows for mic positioning flexibility, portability and easy set up.
Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer who has worked on over 30 gold and platinum records. He has recorded and/or mixed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs, and more. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and loves teaching audio engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. He is a lifetime Grammy-voting member of NARAS and a contributing editor for Mix Magazine.http://barryrudolph.com
