Spacebar Modular Microphone Positioning System User Manual, Revision C, August, 2010 Spacebar Modular System User Manual Revision C Page 1 of 29
Table of Contents Standard pre-configured arrays:................................................................................................. 4 SB-SUR Surround Tree........................................................................................................ 4 SB-DT Decca Tree ..............................................................................................................4 SB-BL Blumlein ............................................................................................
Welcome and thanks for purchasing a Grace Design Spacebar microphone positioner. We build all of our products to be completely reliable and easy to use, so you can concentrate on making great recordings, not struggling with complicated equipment or difficult product manuals. While you will find the Spacebar is completely straightforward to use, we do ask that you familiarizie yourself with this product manual to help avoid any common user difficulties.
Standard Pre-configured Arrays: SB-SUR Surround Tree Holds 5 microphones SB-DT Decca Tree Standard 3 microphone tree 2M x 1M SB-BL Blumlein Holds standard large diaphragm microphones in a vertical Blumlein configuration. SB-BLRA Blumlein right angle Holds RCA 44 type ribbon microphones in a vertical Blumlein configuration. SB-100 1 meter AB bar Straight 1 meter stereo bar. Can be extended to 2 meters.
Spacebar Modular Components: SB-AMH Adjustable Mic Holder Mic holder with precision angle scale. 5 degree markings from +90 to -90 degrees.
SB-TJ90 90 Degree Tube Joiner Allows any two 7/8” tubes to be joined at a 90 degree angle. SB-SMA Stand Mount Adapter 5/8”- 27 thread Comes with 3/8-16 European style thread adapter. E407 53cm bar 7/8” diameter, LASER etched scale reads 25-0-25cm. E414 tube end plug Attaches to the end of any of the 7/8” tubes. Provides a threaded hole for attaching hooks for guide lines or an E414 24m thumb screw to provide a safety stop for microphone holders. E418 Tube Joiner Joins any two 7/8” tubes.
E420 105cm bar E421 80cm bar E422 90 degree stand mount E405 42mm thumb nut w/ #10-32 x 7/8” screw Note: All components which feature microphone mounts come standard with 5/8-27 American standard threads. As well, all microphone mounts can be ordered with the European standard 3/8-16 British Standard Whitworth threads. These part numbers will have a - BSW suffix.
Spacebar Configurations Detail Surround Tree The SB-SUR system allows for mounting of 5 microphones. In its standard configuration three microphones can be mounted as a “front triplet” and two microphones can be mounted as a rear pair. All microphone spacings can be precisely adjusted using the engraved centimeter scales on the bars. Also, all microphone angles of incidence can be precisely adjusted in 5 degree increments.
Decca Tree This classic microphone configuration was developed by Decca Records engineers in the 1950s. The Spacebar Decca Tree configuration provides a simple, precise, and easy to set up solution for this technique. The standard Spacebar Decca Tree comes with three E420 1 meter tubes, an SB-SMA 5/8”-27stand mount adapter and three SB-AMH adjustable mic holders. These are configured to provide a 2 meter spacing between left and right microphones and a center microphone 1 meter forward.
relative to the horizontal plane. This can be very useful when micing and ensemble from above on a tall stand. 80cm fig. 3: SB-BLRA Blumlein with SB-AMHRA right angle mic holders (shown with RCA 44 type mics) See the SB-BLRA system exploded parts diagram for a list of included components.
53cm fig. 4: SB-BL Blumlein with SB-MH standard mic holders See the SB-BL system exploded parts diagram for a list of included components. AB Stereo The AB Stereo microphone technique typically uses two omni-directional microphones spaced apart by a distance. The SB-100 configuration is basically a 1M wide stereo bar. With the addition of another E420 tube and a E418 joiner tube, the SB-100 becomes an SB-200 2 meter stereo bar. 105cm fig.
Hanging Arrays For applications that require hanging a microphone array from a ceiling, the SB-HB hanging bar can be used. The SB-HB can be used with the SB-SUR surround tree, SB-DT Decca tree, and the SB-100 AB bar. The SB-HB has a 1 inch eye-bolt on one end and threads into the SB-SMA stand mount adapter at the other. The SB-HB can be ordered in two versions: 1. SB-HB-1M with a guide line yoke sized for 1 meter wide bars. 2. SB-HB-2M with a guide line yoke sized for 2 meter wide bars.
ANGLE ADJUST LOCK SCREW POSITION LOCKING ADJUSTABLE CLAMP HANDLE (PULL TO ADJUST) fig. 7: SB-AMH Adjustable Mic Holder The angle of incidence of a mounted microphone can be precisely set by using the angle indicating protractor markings which are engraved on the front of the SB-AMH. The angle is indicated from +90 to -90 degrees in 5 degree increments. The angle adjust thumb screw must be loosened before rotating the upper portion of the microphone holder.
To calibrate the angle of incidence, follow these steps: A) Loosen locking thumb screw and rotate mic holder so that 0 degrees is indicated. Then re-tighten the thumb screw. B) Thread on the microphone clip and orient it so that it is perpendicular to the Spacebar tube. C) Lock the microphone clip in place by tightening the jam nut against it. D) Now the angle of the microphone can be precisely adjusted by loosening the thumb screw and rotating the microphone.
SB-HB Hanging Bar The SB-HB assembly threads into the SB-SMA stand mount adapter as shown below. fig. 10: SB-HB assembly When hanging the microphone array can be aligned to the sound source by attaching the supplied guide line yoke to the ends of the 7/8” tubes. With user supplied line the yoke can be tied to an appropriate anchor point in the venue. These yoke lines are adjustable so that the microphone array can be precisely aimed.
TO ANCHOR POINT SWIVEL SHRINK TUBING MONOFILAMENT LINE TO SPACEBAR ENDS fig 11. Guide Line Yoke The ends of the yoke guide lines attach to the s-hooks on the ends of whatever bar is being used. The s-hooks (supplied with your Spacebar system) must be mounted to the end plugs of the tube with the supplied #10-32 x 1/2” button head cap screw. Use a 1/8” hex wrench. Do not tighten the screw so much that it binds the s-hook.
H522 S-HOOK H402 8-32 x 1/4” FLAT HEAD SCREW E414 END PLUG H5434 10-32 x 1/2” BUTTON HEAD CAP SCREW fig. 12: Bar end s-hook installation SWIVEL #10-32 X 1/2” BUTTON HEAD CAP SCREW S-HOOK fig. 13: guide line yoke attachment The vertical angle of the array can be adjusted by moving the stand mount adapter forward or rearward of the balance point.
Exploded Parts Diagrams SB-AMH Adjustable Mic Holder 7 Apply Locktite 242 ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 11 8 Grace Part# E417 H459 H432 H510 H514 H520 H446 H447 H512 H448 H515 E412 H445 DESCRIPTION QTY. Adjustable Mic Holder Top 1/4-20 Flat Washer Bronze 10-32 x 1/4" SK CP SS Knob Black 5/8" 5/8-27 Threaded Boss Round Pin 1/16" x .3" 10-32 x 3/4" Flat Socket Head Cap Screw 10-32 x 3/16" Cup Point Set Screw Adjustable Handle 10-32 x .
SB-MH Standard Mic Holder Apply Locktite 242 4 2 3 1 5 6 ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Grace Part# E408 H514 H520 H436 H459 H512 H515 DESCRIPTION Mic Holder 7/8" Tube Clamp 5/8-27 Threaded Boss Round Pin 1/16" x .3" 10-32 x 7/8" FL SC SS 1/4-20 Flat Washer Bronze Adjustable Handle 10-32 x .78" stud 5/8-27 24mm Nut Spacebar Modular System User Manual Revision C QTY.
SB-TJ90 90 Degree Tube Joiner ITEM NO. 1 2 3 Grace Part# E415 H512 H459 DESCRIPTION 90 Degree Tube Joiner Adjustable Handle 10-32 x .78" stud 1/4-20 Flat Washer Bronze Spacebar Modular System User Manual Revision C QTY.
SB-AMHRA Adjustabe Mic Holder, Right Angle 9 8 4 Apply Locktite 242 3 7 1 6 2 5 8 ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Grace Part # E413 E405 H520 H514 H512 H459 E417 H436 H515 DESCRIPTION Mic Holder Right Angle 3/4" Tube Clamp 24mm Nut 10-32 Thread Round Pin 1/16" x .3" 5/8-27 Threaded Boss Adjustable Handle 10-32 x .78" stud 1/4-20 Flat Washer Bronze Adjustable Mic Holder Top 10-32 x 7/8" FL SC SS 5/8-27 24mm Nut Spacebar Modular System User Manual Revision C QTY.
SB-SMA Stand Mount Adapter with 5/8”- 27 threads 3 2 1 ITEM NO. 1 2 3 Grace Part # E416 H512 H459 DESCRIPTION Stand Mount 5/8-27 Threads 7/8" Tube Clamp Adjustable Handle 10-32 x .78" stud 1/4-20 Flat Washer Bronze Spacebar Modular System User Manual Revision C QTY.
SB-SUR Surround Tree 1 2 6 1 2 2 7 5 3 8 2 ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Grace Part # E420 SB-AMH E414 H402 H434 SB-TJ90 SB-SMA E407 DESCRIPTION 105 cm x .875" OD Tube Adjustable Microphone Holder End Plug for 0.626" ID tube 8-32 x 1/4" Flat Head Machine Screw 10-32 x 1/2" Button Head Cap Screw 90 Degree Tube Joiner Stand Mount Adapter Tube 53cm x .875"OD x .625" ID Spacebar Modular System User Manual Revision C QTY.
SB-DT Decca Tree 1 10 8 1 10 2 9 5 5 1 2 2 5 4 6 7 3 ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Grace Part # E420 SB-AMH E418 E414 H402 H434 E423 SB-TJ90 SB-SMA H522 DESCRIPTION 105 cm x .875" OD Tube Adjustable Microphone Holder Tube Joiner Bar End Plug for 0.626" ID tube 8-32 x 1/4" Flat Head Machine Screw 10-32 x 1/2" Button Head Cap Screw Cable Clip for 7/8" tube 90 Degree Tube Joiner Stand Mount Adapter 5/8-27 Threads S-Hook 13/64" Dia Spacebar Modular System User Manual Revision C QTY.
SB-BL Blumlein 5 6 1 2 4 8 7 3 ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Grace Part # E422 SB-TJ90 E405 H436 H402 SB-MH E414 E407 DESCRIPTION Stand Mount Right Angle 90 Degree Tube Joiner 24mm Nut 10-32 Thread 10-32 x 7/8" FL SC SS 8-32 x 1/4" Flat Head Machine Screw Mic Holder End Plug for 0.626" ID tube Tube 53cm x .875"OD x .625" ID Spacebar Modular System User Manual Revision C QTY.
SB-BLRA Blumlein Right Angle 6 5 3 1 5 2 6 3 4 7 Grace Part # E422 SB-TJ90 E421 SB-AMHRA E405 H436 H402 E414 DESCRIPTION QTY. Stand Mount Right Angle 1 90 Degree Tube Joiner 1 80 cm x .875" OD Tube 1 Adjustable Mic Holder, Right Angle 2 24mm Nut 10-32 Thread 3 10-32 x 7/8" FL SC SS 3 8-32 x 1/4" Flat Head Machine Screw 2 End Plug for 0.
SB-100 1 Meter AB bar 4 3 2 7 2 4 3 ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5 Grace Part DESCRIPTION # E420 105 cm x .875" OD Tube SB-AMH Adjustable Microphone Holder E414 End Plug for 0.626" ID tube H402 8-32 x 1/4" Flat Head Machine Screw H434 10-32 x 1/2" Button Head Cap Screw E423 Cable Clip for 7/8" tube SB-SMA Stand Mount Adapter Spacebar Modular System User Manual Revision C QTY.
SB-HB Hanging Bar 4 1 Apply Loctite 242 2 3 Apply Loctite 242 8 6 5 7 ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 PartNo E428 H521 H496 H495 W500 H524 H524 H523 H522 DESCRIPTION Hanging Bar 5/8-27 Threaded Boss (modified H514) 1/4-20 X 1 Flat Head Socket St Zn 82 Degree Eye bolt 1/4-20 X 1" Cut to 5/8" 1/16” DIA Shrink tubing, Black Monofilament line .016” DIA for 1 meter bar Monofilament line .
Revision history Rev. Description Date Initials A Initial release 10/07/09 MBG B Added SB-HB parts diagram and bill of materials. 12/07/09 MBG B Fixed SB-BLRA bill of materials to show item number column. 12/07/09 Also fixed bom to show proper tube (80cm E421) MBG B Corrected monofilament line yoke drawing to show proper swivel attachment.
