XY Micing Acoustic With Large Diaphram Condensors...Phase Issues?

[Robertt8]

Yo! Just wondering if your more apt to get phase issues when using XY stereo micing on large diaphram condensor mics than small diaphram condensors...or does it make no difference.

 

[Sonixx]

assuming the mics are positioned to minimize phasing,...

the rule of thumb is that the off axis response of SDC mics is generally considered better or more uniform than for LDC mics. that doesn't mean LDC's won't sound great nor does that mean any phasing encountered will be bad. I'd try it, move the mics until you find something that you like.

with more than one mic you will always have some phasing problems. the goal is to minimize them or make them work in your favor...

 

[Necromaniac]

The size or type of mic doest really matter its more the placement. If you are doing a y placement just try to get the mics to create a 45 degree angle ang get as close to each other without touching.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

The off-axis response of LDC's is notoriously bad, due to the physics involved in large diaphragm microphone design. Having said that, it doesn't mean that the uneven response may be suitable or even desirable for an "effect", but you should treat it as such - an effect.

 

[Han]

Harvey, I have a Neumann M149 which you know is a LDC and I've never had any idea that it's off axis response is bad.

On the contrary, I have the impression it has a very nice off axis response.

I'm sorry, but that's how it is.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Harvey, I have a Neumann M149 which you know is a LDC and I've never had any idea that it's off axis response is bad.

On the contrary, I have the impression it has a very nice off axis response.

I'm sorry, but that's how it is.

I think the M149 is a wondeful microphone but look at the cardioid pattern at high frequencies, which more closely resembles a figure 8 pattern with a deep null at 90° It speaks of uneven off-axis response.

Perhaps "bad" is the wrong word to describe all large diaphragm mics when receiving off-axis sources.

Unlike a pure pressure mic (omni), or a pure pressure gradient mic (figure 8), the off-axis response of large diaphragm mics become uneven, not because of poor mic design, but because of the laws of physics.

 

[photoresistor]

So... is there a preferred recording method (xy / spaced pair) for my Marshal MXL V57Ms (large diaphram condensor)?