Crown International, Inc.
1718 W. Mishawaka Rd.
Elkhart, IN 46517-9439
TEL: 574-294-8000
FAX: 574-294-8FAX
www.crownaudio.com
CM-SB
5/05 130722-1A
The Crown®CM-SB is a stereo bar or
stereo mic mount. This handy device
mounts two CM-700 mics on top of a
single mic stand for coincident and near-co-
incident stereo miking. The bar has two studs
that slide and tighten in place. Other mics with
¾" (1.905 cm) diameter handles can be used
as well.
Positioning the Microphones
1. Thread the bar onto a 5/8"-27 mic stand.
2. Get two mic swivel mounts (such as the
Crown ASA-4) or two CM-SM isolation shock
mounts. Thread the mounts onto the studs.
One stud is longer than the other so that the
two mics won’t interfere with each other.
3. Using the supplied stereo miking tem-
plate, adjust the angle and spacing between
the mics for the desired stereo effect. To do
this, slide the studs in the bar, rotate the mic
mounts, and slide the mics fore-and-aft in
the mic mounts. Be sure the studs are placed
symmetrically on either side of center. Num-
bered position marks are on the bar to help
you do this.
4. Lock the studs in position by threading
them tightly into the mic mount or into the
supplied 5/8"-27 nut.
Here are some stereo mic techniques that
can be used with the stereo bar:
Coincident pair (XY): This technique is
mono-compatible. Angle the mics inward so
their grilles are aligned vertically, and angle
them 90 degrees to 135 degrees apart. An
angle of 90 degrees gives a narrow stereo
spread unless the musical ensemble sur-
rounds the mics in a semicircle. An angle of
135 degrees gives a wider stereo spread, but
may have some off-axis coloration.
Near-coincident pair: Angle the mics
outward and space their grilles a few inches
apart horizontally. In the O.R.T.F. stereo mic
technique, the mics are angled 110 degrees
apart (55 degrees either side of center) and
are spaced 7 inches (17 cm) apart. This tech-
nique tends to provide accurate localization
and sharp imaging. Another technique is the
N.O.S. method: angle the mics 90 degrees
apart and space the grilles 1 foot apart. This
method has less off-axis coloration than the
O.R.T.F. method but less-sharp imaging. A
90°/8" setup works as well.
Angle the mics down slightly so they will aim
at the musical ensemble when raised. Raise
the mic pair on a boom stand (typically about
14 feet high for an orchestra). Place the mic
stand about 5 to 20 feet from the front row of
musicians. Find a miking distance where you
monitor the desired amount of hall ambience.
Close miking sounds close; distant miking
sounds distant. A suggested equalization is +3
dB at 80 Hz, –2 dB at 5 kHz and +2 dB at 12
kHz. This EQ compensates for distant miking
and off-axis placement.
Architects’ and Engineers’ Specifications
The product shall be the Crown CM-SB or
equivalent. It shall be a stereo bar for mount-
ing two matched microphones on a single
microphone stand for coincident and near-co-
incident stereo miking. The bar shall have two
studs that can be slid and tightened in place.
These studs shall thread into a standard 5/8"-
27 microphone swivel mount or shock mount.
The studs shall be held captive by nylon wash-
ers. Positioning marks shall be provided on
the bar. The Crown CM-SB is specified.
Specifications
Materials: Aluminum bar and studs, nylon
washers.
Dimensions: 7 1/8 in. x 1 1/2 in. x 1/8 in. (18
cm x 3.8 cm x 0.3 cm).
Weight: 3.2 ounces (90.7 grams).
Included accessories: Template for stereo
mic positioning.
Optional Crown Products and Accessories:
CM-700MP matched pair cardioid condenser
mics
CM-SM isolation shock mounts
ASA-4 swivel mounts
PH-1A phantom power supply
Stereo bar shown with two CM-700 microphones and two
CM-SM shock mounts (mics and shock mounts not included)
© 2005 Crown Audio®, Inc. Specifications subject
to change without prior notice,. Latest informa-
tion available at www.crownaudio.com. Crown and
Crown Audio are registered trademarks of Crown
International, Inc.
