Mid / Side Recording Technique for Acoustic / Bluegrass Band

[fatzjenkins]

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!

[Recording David]

I don't know the particular ribbon mic you mention, but one of the issues to look out for is that the front and rear lobes of some ribbons have different characteristics and frequency responses, so the stereo image coming from the side mic might be unusual.

Other than that I love MS, but I do it with (Schoeps) condensers rather than ribbons.

Welcome to GS!

[Petimar]

I have recorded a lot of acoustic and Bluegrass using ribbons. I really like m/s, but only when the one instrument is featured for the whole piece and everything is recorded one at a time.

Here is a piece where all instruments are overdubed by me. The mandolin is m/s with a Royer SF12:

http://www.petimarpress.com/RichsWaltz.mp3

The times I have experimented with recording m/s with an ensemble only worked when using the m/s as room mics and having eveything else individually miced. Even then, I found I liked a different stereo setup with the room mics better.

I haven't had the chance since purchasing the SF12, but I am soon going to try an ensemble using just it. A friend has recorded some BG bands using 2 RCA44bxs 90 degrees off and it sounds wonderful, provided its a good band.

Let us know what you come up with.

[fatzjenkins]

Originally Posted by Petimar

I have recorded a lot of acoustic and Bluegrass using ribbons. I really like m/s, but only when the one instrument is featured for the whole piece and everything is recorded one at a time.

Here is a piece where all instruments are overdubed by me. The mandolin is m/s with a Royer SF12:

http://www.petimarpress.com/RichsWaltz.mp3

The times I have experimented with recording m/s with an ensemble only worked when using the m/s as room mics and having eveything else individually miced. Even then, I found I liked a different stereo setup with the room mics better.

I haven't had the chance since purchasing the SF12, but I am soon going to try an ensemble using just it. A friend has recorded some BG bands using 2 RCA44bxs 90 degrees off and it sounds wonderful, provided its a good band.

Let us know what you come up with.

I'm listening to the track now, which is wonderful. This is an excellent mix and the mandolin sounds very rich. How did you record the acoustic guitar and bass? They blend very well. Thank you very much for sharing the track.

[Petimar]

PM me and I'll give you the info what is recorded how. All ribbon mics.