So which way DO you point it? X-Y miking

[Armistice]

Hello there

I've been experiementing with X-Y miking of acoustic guitar with mixed success - while I've read lots on the angle between the mics, where approximately to place them, I'm confused as to how the mikes are configured in the horizontal place.

I'm using matched Rode NT5s, - horizontally speaking, should they be both parallel to the floor? one pointing up a bit, and one down a bit? both pointing up? both pointing down? etc etc - or is this all part of the joy of learning to record with microphones and there are no real rules - whatever works.

I get a reasonable sound with the two mics at 90% about 20cm from the 12th fret of the guitar, the left mic (pointing towards the base of the guitar) pointing down a bit, the right (pointing at my fret hand - I'm right handed, incidentally) mic pointing up a bit, BUT, maybe I'm just getting overly excited at the brilliance of my playing , but I have a huge issue with breath sounds being picked up in the right mic, which of course has more of the higher frequencies - you can't eq the breathing out with any success.

Any tips? Or is this just a matter of finding what works best - or not breathing for about 2.5 minutes?

Cheers

David

 

[littledog]

With cardioid mics, I usually have the mics somewhat higher than the guitar, angled down so as to take advantage of the pattern rejection to minimize breathing, gasps, moans, etc.

 

[Armistice]

Thanks for that - I think I'd pretty much figured out that that was the way it had to be for that exact reason, but wasn't sure if there were any particular constraints with X-Ying that made it necessary to have them pointing in different directions.

Now, if only they could invent something that didn't pick up cursing when you've just mucked up your 50th attempted take....