Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Mid / Side Recording Technique for Acoustic / Bluegrass Band

fatzjenkins · 6th October 2007

Hello Folks.

I've been researching stereo setups for recording my 4-piece acoustic band (acoustic guitar, mandolin (sometimes fiddle), banjo and double bass) and I'd like to get a few opinions about a concept I've had. I'd appreciate any comments and please point out any serious flaws (including phase issues) that I might have missed with this concept.

The concept is to use a Mid/Side stereo technique using a Rode NT-1 (the older model, hand printed serial number) as the mid and a ribbon microphone as the side. Here are a few questions and comments about this:

1. I already own the NT-1 and really like the coloration on my particular vocals as compared to other microphones I've tried, which is the reason I favor this model, but am open to other suggestions.

2. I don't yet own a ribbon, but I'm considering a purchase of the Cascade Fat Head. Anyone have experience with this microphone?

3. I tried an X/Y configuration with (2) Rode NT-1 microphones, and ended up with some strange phasing effects due to the inconsistencies of the microphones. If I were to get around this phasing, the sound would be pretty close to what I'm trying to achieve.

4. I tried X/Y and ORTF with a matched pair of Oktava MK-012, which sounded pretty good, but slightly cold in comparison to the coloration that I get with the NT-1.

5. I'd accentuate the ambient recording of the double bass with a DI box to a seperate track.

Thank you!

6th October 2007	#1
fatzjenkins Gear interested Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 9 Thread Starter	Mid / Side Recording Technique for Acoustic / Bluegrass Band Hello Folks. I've been researching stereo setups for recording my 4-piece acoustic band (acoustic guitar, mandolin (sometimes fiddle), banjo and double bass) and I'd like to get a few opinions about a concept I've had. I'd appreciate any comments and please point out any serious flaws (including phase issues) that I might have missed with this concept. The concept is to use a Mid/Side stereo technique using a Rode NT-1 (the older model, hand printed serial number) as the mid and a ribbon microphone as the side. Here are a few questions and comments about this: 1. I already own the NT-1 and really like the coloration on my particular vocals as compared to other microphones I've tried, which is the reason I favor this model, but am open to other suggestions. 2. I don't yet own a ribbon, but I'm considering a purchase of the Cascade Fat Head. Anyone have experience with this microphone? 3. I tried an X/Y configuration with (2) Rode NT-1 microphones, and ended up with some strange phasing effects due to the inconsistencies of the microphones. If I were to get around this phasing, the sound would be pretty close to what I'm trying to achieve. 4. I tried X/Y and ORTF with a matched pair of Oktava MK-012, which sounded pretty good, but slightly cold in comparison to the coloration that I get with the NT-1. 5. I'd accentuate the ambient recording of the double bass with a DI box to a seperate track. Thank you!