Re: [microsound] M-S micing

[Kyle Klipowicz <kyleklip@xxxxxxxxx>]

Damn, that was a sweet response.  Well put!

~Kyle

On 10/17/06, Aaron Ximm <ghede@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> First consult the nets:
>
> http://www.sounddevices.com/tech/ms_stereo.htm
> http://www.paia.com/msmicwrk.htm
> etc.
>
> The main advantages are mono compatability, ease of setup/use, and the
> ability to adjust the stereo image in "post."
>
> Mono compatability means that when a stereo signal is played back with
> both channels on a single speaker (e.g. a television speaker) it is not
> compromised. Alternative techniques for recording true stereo,
> particularly spaced microphone techniques, typically produce "comb
> filtering" that is quite distracting and undesirable; with M/S recordings
> the side channel components [effectively] collapse (cancel out) and the
> center channel remains [effectively] uncolored.
>
> The usual defining characteristic of the central (mid) mic is not
> that it is "mono" but that it is directional. Omnis can be used as the
> center channel but this is not as common; the cannonical M/S array is a
> cardioid mic as the M element and by definition a figure-8 as the S
> element.
>
> M/S pairs are "easy" to use because they are located in the same position
> (compare spaced techniques such as ORTF or A-B omni); they can be housed
> in a single windscreen for example. For field recording this is a huge
> win.
>
> Varying the ratio of M and S components changes the perceived width of a
> stereo image on decode. The more mid, the "wider" the image.
>
> It is possible to buy single microphone bodies with multiple elements
> which use M/S -- often these mics will "decode" the signal to normal L/R
> stereo for you, eliminating the need for M/S decoding in post -- but also
> not permitting it. It is usually most desirable to record to M and S, but
> monitor in R/L -- the Aaton Cantar and Sound Devices 7 series recorders
> for example allow decoding to the headphones while recording raw M and S.
>
> You can construct an "M/S decoder" on a reasonably functional mixing board
> (with the ability to sum to busses and phase reversal buttons), but there
> are free VST plugins (and purchasable plugs I'm sure) that will do this
> for you as well. This is a very computationally inexpensive operation, but
> is not built into many DAWs/editors as a basic function in my experience.
>
> According to [very accomplished] field recordist Bernie Krause, in his
> rigorous testing M/S stereo rated highest among common stereo recording
> techniques in almost all subjective regards such as perceived depth of
> field, sharpness and stability of perceived sound source location, etc.
>
> When considering mics for M/S it is important that the M and S mics be as
> similar in character (and quality) as possible; this in practice is quite
> difficult because there are not so many figure-8 pattern mics available
> for field use.
>
> One mic receiving a lot of kudos on the naturerecordists list is the Rode
> NT2-A:
>
> http://www.zzounds.com/item--RODNT2A
>
> Its main drawback is that it is quite heavy which makes custom mounts and
> windscreening a necessity.
>
> Note that my familiarity with M/S isfor field recording.  M/S is not
> particularly common to my knowledge as a studio recording technique --
> partly because except for particular applications, "stereo" is usually
> constructed from discretely miked elements rather than recorded directly.
>
> Sennheiser makes a variant of their popular MKH416 shotgun which includes
> an S element as well (the MKH418S); in accounts I've read the side element
> has been found to be lacking (quite noisy and not as sensitive as the
> center element). For non-quiet sound sources it might be very convenient
> however.
>
> best regards,
>   aaron
>
> --
>
>   ghede@xxxxxxxx
>   http://www.quietamerican.org
>
>   |  quod omne animal post   |
>   |  cogitum est triste...   |
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: microsound-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> For additional commands, e-mail: microsound-help@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> website: http://www.microsound.org
>
>


-- 

http://theradioproject.com
http://perhapsidid.blogspot.com

(((())))(()()((((((((()())))()(((((((())()()())())))
(())))))(()))))))))))))(((((((((((()()))))))))((())))
))(((((((((((())))())))))))))))))))__________
_____())))))(((((((((((((()))))))))))_______
((((((())))))))))))((((((((000)))oOOOOOO