figure 8 Mics

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jingleheimer

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I recently was reading through this website (Figure 8) about figure 8 recording where you use 2 mics that have figure 8 polar patterns place perpandicular to each other. My question is can anybody recommend a decent low budget mic for this technique and if you would please spread and tips that you have found trying this style. Thank you very much to everyone -Jingleheimer-
 
CAD M179
I think they were talking about Blumlein stereo technique
The Blumlein stereo set-up is a coincidence stereo technique, which uses two bi-directional microphones in the same point and angled at 90° to each other. This stereo technique will normally give the best results when used at shorter distances to the sound source, as bi-directional microphones are using the pressure gradient transducer technology and therefore is under influence of the proximity effect. At larger distances these microphones therefore will loose the low frequencies. The Blumlein stereo is purely producing intensity related stereo information. It has a higher channel separation than the XY stereo, but has the disadvantage, that sound sources located behind the stereo pair also will be picked up and even be reproduced with inverted phase.
From DPA university
Captures a very nice image
I've used it for classical guitar as well as other acoustics where the guitar is the only (or dominant ) instrument
 
Big Kenny said:
It has a higher channel separation than the XY stereo, but has the disadvantage, that sound sources located behind the stereo pair also will be picked up and even be reproduced with inverted phase.
Click to expand...

So essentialy i need to have a very nice acoustic sounding room for this to be effective?
 
Whoo boy , I'll say. You get to hear it all. Blessing or a curse?
What are you trying to record?
 
Big Kenny said:
Whoo boy , I'll say. You get to hear it all. Blessing or a curse?
What are you trying to record?
Click to expand...

Primarily my acoustic guitar. I want to be able to get the whole sound of the guitar that is why im looking at this technique. Because my martine is really boomy at close range and i want to be able to move the mic alittle farther away and still get a nice image. My second feeling is that if i get away from the pencil micing techniques i will have a lot more natral rounded sound
 
Another way of getting a little "room" into it is to put a ldc next to your ear (pointing at the sound hole) and another at the twelfth fret facing the sound hole. The "ear" mic picks up a track that sounds like what you are used to hearing when you play while the other picks up a more accurate representation of what is being played ( pick noise, muting, etc,)
 
I've done the Blumlein configuration with two AEA R84 ribbon mics, on a choir. Big Kenny is absolutely right that you're gonna hear everything. The air conditioning system and audience noise basically ruined my recordings.

The phasing issue is not a problem as long as your sound source is all "in front" of or "in back" of the mic pair. What you get is a very nice spatial sense.

In my studio, I would not hesitate to try this on an acoustic guitar, although usually just one of these AEAs gives me a plenty nice result.
 
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