GRACE DESIGN
"Spacebar" Microphone Positioners
Precision microphone positioning made simple, reliable and repeatable.
The Spacebar microphone positioner allows for precise and repeatable setting of microphone capsule spacing, angle of incidence, and rotation around within the horizontal plane. With precision scales for angle and distance engraved on the Spacebar components, it becomes easy to make perfectly measured and repeatable stereo microphone setups.
As well as being able to precisely set microphones in standard stereo configurations (i.e. XY, ORTF, NOS, and AB 50cm), the Spacebar allows for exact settings through the entire continuum of angle and spacing. This allows the user to adjust the stereo microphone array and tailor the pickup field to suit virtually any recording environment.
We highly recommend The Stereophonic Zoom by Michael Williams, a technical paper that provides detailed information on the relationship between angle of incidence, capsule spacing, and the effective angle of the recorded sound field. It is a very useful reference that can greatly increase the flexibility of your stereo microphone techniques.
The Spacebar system is precision fabricated from machined aircraft aluminum, brass, and stainless steel. Each system consists of a center stand clamp, horizontal bar, and microphone holders. Both bars are tapped with screws at their ends for guidelines if the microphones are being hung.
The SB-30 and SB-66 are both supplied with two microphone holder assemblies and an additional tall microphone holder. The taller microphone holder body can be used to raise one microphone to avoid interference if the mic spacing requires that the microphone bodies overlap.
Model |
Description |
Price |
SB-30 |
Includes 30cm bar, clamp, (2) standard mic holders and (1) tall mic holder Min/Max Spacing: 2.75" (7cm) to 10.2" (26cm), Weight: 0.99 lbs (0.45 kg) |
$295.00 |
SB-66 |
Includes 66cm bar, clamp, (2) standard mic holders and (1) tall mic holder Min/Max Spacing: 2.75" (7cm) to 24" (61cm), Weight: 1.22 lbs (0.55 kg) |
$395.00 |
SB-30/66 |
Includes (1) 30cm bar, (1) 66cm bar, clamp, (2) standard mic holders and (1) tall mic holder Min/Max Spacing: 2.75" (7cm) to 24" (61cm), Weight: 1.47 lbs / 0.67 kg |
$495.00 |
SB-XtKit |
Extra Kit: Contains parts to equip spare bar for additional use |
POA* |
*POA = "Price On Application"
Spacebar SB-CMB "Overbridge" Attachment (Shown with Schoeps CCM microphones)
Several stereo- and surround-microphone techniques being discussed recently have recommended the addition of a center microphone to the conventional "A-B" stereo setup (Dr. Gunther Theile's OCT "Optimum Cardioid Triangle" configuration, for instance). While smaller than a full-sized "Decca-Tree," this arrangement resembles a Bonsai-sized version of the familiar Decca setup, easier to configure than its larger brother but employing mostly supercardioid microphones. The effect is to broaden the frontal pickup by adding a center channel to a surround-sound recording, without compromising the integrity of the stereo image when the center is mixed into both side channels for stereo playback.
The left and right microphones can be aligned back-to-back, or each angled slightly forward if preferred. The center microphone can be either a cardioid (as in "OCT"), or a third hypercardioid, or a "wide" or "open" cardioid; these being extended a short distance ahead of the positioning bar to either accentuate or spread out the center image.
The combinations of the various microphone choices and their relative positionings modifies the Spacebar into the most versatile and repeatable stereo or frontal surround microphone arrangement to date.
Price: $110.00
Spacebar Accessories
Model |
Description |
Price |
SB-MHS |
Mic Holder Assembly (Standard Size) |
$60.00 |
SB-MHT |
Mic Holder Assembly (Extra Tall Size) |
$65.00 |
SB-HB-30/66 |
Hanging bar for SB-30/SB-66 kits |
$100.00 |
SB-CMB |
3-Microphone "Overbridge" attachment |
$110.00 |
SB-CMB-BSW |
Center mount bridge for SB-30/SB-66 kits.
This 'BSW' version provides 3/8-16 threads. |
$110.00 |
H515 |
5/8” Lock Ring |
$3.00 |
E401 |
30cm Bar |
$100.00 |
E406 |
66cm Bar |
$200.00 |
SB-30CC |
SB-30 case -
Custom-made soft carrying case for SB-30 Spacebar kit |
$50.00 |
SB-66CC |
SB-30/66 case -
Custom-made soft carrying case for SB-30/66 Spacebar kit |
$75.00 |
The Spacebar system is precision fabricated from machined aircraft aluminum, brass, and stainless steel. If properly cared for it will last a lifetime.
