Which is Better: Mid-Side mics or X-Y mics for concerts? The Zoom Q2HD or Q3HD?

[Alan_Schezar]

Which is Better: Mid-Side mics or X-Y mics? Zoom Q2HD or Q3HD?


Hello, which would be better for recording loud concerts in the front row? The Q2HD's Mid-Side mics or the Q3HD's X-Y mics?

I ask because I can't find out the answer on the Samson Zoom homepages or in the reviews. It seems as if the Mid-Side is better for recording a one-person band, and X-Y is better for recording a multi-person band?

However, the experts say that when set to a 120 degree orientation, the Mid-Side mics will give you the same stereo as the X-Ys. Therefore, since the Q2HD is also ~2 years newer, would it therefore be a better choice than the Q3HD? I already own the Q3HD and am wondering if the Q2HD is worth buying if I mainly record multi-person bands from the front row and do not do any post-production such as WaveLab. I posted some of the mic specs below.

Thanks for any help!

Q2HD
Mid-Side stereo (MONO / 30°/60°/90°/120°/150°)
Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 120dB SPL
Input Gain： +1 to +39dB
w**.zoom.co.jp/products/q2hd/spec/​

Q3HD
Unidirectional, 120-degree X/Y stereo
Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 130dB SPL
w**.zoom.co.jp/products/q3hd/spec/​

 

[guitaristic]

Hmmm personally I would just stick with the Q3. Have you liked the results you've gotten from it so far?

 

[Alan_Schezar]

Hmmm personally I would just stick with the Q3. Have you liked the results you've gotten from it so far?

I have liked the results so far with the Q3HD.

I was wondering if the Mid-Side Q2HD was better. The company's press release seems to be touting this model as "the only Mid-Side mic with video", so I presumed the Q2HD was better, but after reading up on X-Y vs M-S, I'm not sure now. From the specs, it also seems as if the camera lens is slightly better, but the difference seems slight.

However, the Samson/Zoom company also describes the Q2HD as "the Q3HD's little brother", so maybe the X-Y at 120 degrees is actually better than Mid-Side at 120 degrees?

 

[guitaristic]

Haha well, it's hard to say Anytime I've seen something listed as the "little brother" though, it's been ALMOST as good, but not quite. Who knows!

 

[Bobbsy]

Well, there's no "better" between M-S and X-Y techniques; both have their place. However, perhaps the main advantage of M-S recording is the ability to adjust the stereo image in post production. Since you say you don't do any post, then that difference is gone for you.

However, one thing I noticed from those basic specs you posted: the Q2 lists its maximum SPL as 120dB while the Q3 is 130dB. If you're really sitting in the front row, it's possible (or even likely) that the Q2 could go into clipping (at about the same time as you start to do permanent damage to your hearing) so that might be a compelling reason to stick with the Q3.

 

[johnnymegabyte]

I just picked up a Q2HD a few weeks ago. One thing to note the Mic can be set to variable degrees on the Q2HD (With its condenser microphones in 30° to 150° Mid-Side stereo configuration)
I set mine at 120
Here is a sample video I shot last Saturday night. Lighting was poor, but I think the audio is quite good. 720p/30 & 24/48k audio. Who knows what Youtube saves the audio as
Al Reilly with Tommy Rocker Band @ The Duke Live - September 29, 2012 Zoom Q2HD - YouTube (live cover of Led Zep / Heartbreaker)
Tommy Rocker Band - Little Wing @ The Duke Live - September 29, 2012 Zoom Q2HD - YouTube (Little Wing)