MS side vs. Blumein Vs. OMni micing

[skiroy]

1. What would you use a MS side mic configuration for?

2.For what reason and on what sources would you choose a Blumein figure 8 XY setup,I hear maybe horn but for a ensemble far awy or a solo sax closer and why?

3. Looking at the Blumein polar pattern I dont get why a single omni would not be the same if not better than the Blumein set up?

[studiostuff]

1) A mono compatible, stereo recording
2) a coincident pair, stereo recording that gives one the sound of the space around the subject. Choir is good with Blumlein.
3) A single omni would give you a mono recording. If you have no preference between mono or stereo, a single omni could just be the ticket. Back to mono and all that! :-)

[Teddy Ray]

Originally Posted by skiroy

1. What would you use a MS side mic configuration for?

2.For what reason and on what sources would you choose a Blumein figure 8 XY setup,I hear maybe horn but for a ensemble far awy or a solo sax closer and why?



3. Looking at the Blumein polar pattern I dont get why a single omni would not be the same if not better than the Blumein set up?

Mid Side..-. This primary advantage of M-S is the mono compatibility(when collapsed to mono) , no phase issues, and the ability to control the image width by changing the ratio of the "S" microphone in the mix. Very useful for broadcast and film.
there is no "blumlein polar pattern" ...what you are talking about is the Figure 8 pattern.
For direct sources, a well placed Blumlein pair gives the most accurate and the smoothest distribution of sound across the stereo image. No other coincident technique can do this as well, and spaced pairs..forget about it.
I reccomend getting THIS BOOK for an excellent primer on microphones and their application..

UA WebZine "Analog Obsession" December 05 | The Mid-Side (MS) Stereo Microphone Technique

[Jeff Braun]

1). Mid-side technique can be cool for room mics on a drum kit.

2). I've had great luck recording BGV's with the Blumlein technique when you have 4 or more singers at a time. Room micing with Blumlein is cool too.

3). Blumlein is a stereo micing technique. When you hard pan the two mics you get a cool stereo image. You can't do this with a single mono microphone.

-Jeff Braun

[baikonour]

I like M/S for ac. guitar with a pair of 414s
It's great on piano too...