What is the true definition of a "matched pair" of microphones?

[jtrout]

Can someone please enlighten me as to what a "matched pair" of microphones indicates? What is required of the two tools in order for them to be matched?

Thanks!

[dbbubba]

Matched means:
A.) matched (same) model
B.) matched specs
C.) matched time of manufacture (to ensure same parts and assembly prameters)

In other words.... the SOUND is matched!
The two mics sound alike because of A, B, and C above.

Danny Brown

[klaukholm]

Time of manufacture is irrelevant, it is the revision that matters.
We have matched M150's that are 600 apart in serial numbers (which is a big number for those mics as they have not broken the 1000 number yet AFAIK)

Parameters are
matched ouput/sensitivity
matching frequency response
same revision

If you have several that fulfill these parameters, you can also try to match sound.
This is particularly for mics that have quite variable sonic signatures from unit to unit.

[Thumper]

The true definition is: Marketing Gimick.

I would hope that the quality control is close enough from one to the next that it shouldn't matter.

Moving the mic an inch is going to be a bigger difference than between 2 fully functional mics of the same make/model.

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by Thumper

The true definition is: Marketing Gimick.

I would hope that the quality control is close enough from one to the next that it shouldn't matter.

Moving the mic an inch is going to be a bigger difference than between 2 fully functional mics of the same make/model.

So true!

[rufus13]

Matched pairs of microphones are at very least: the same model in a cool wooden box.

The next step up is "consecutive serial numbers" but no actual testing and comparing.

There are probably many more "special handling" and stickering/marketing gimmicks.

The next step up is much much more expensive: Actual testing of each microphone, and making pairs/groups of similar-spec units. You get a calibration chart with your microphone made from your microphone, not an "average unit response characteristic" chart.

Some companies do this as a matter of course. Every microphone of the same model is manufactured and tested to such a tight specification that they are essentially all "matched". Expect this of DPA/B&K and other companies that make instrumentation.

Does it matter? Maybe, if you can afford it, it might matter with some stereo techniques. Does it matter more than 2 inches of placement? Uhhhhhhh..........see commentary on $650/ft audiophile cable vs. $265/1000-foot-reel cable.

Cheers.

Karl

[klaukholm]

Matched mics make a big difference for our main rig.
We have 3 matched DPA 4003 that are very close to eachother sonically.
There is also a consecutive serial number pair of DPA 4012's in our collection that are so far apart that they cannot perform well in ORTF.

The deviation between matched M150's and non matched ones are huge.

In our main rig we have mathced mics for the outriggers and the Left/Right tree while we chose a brighter M150 for the nose of the tree.

Occationally one might put the brighter mic on the cello side, but I would hate having widely different sounds on my L/R.

Matching mics should always come with a calibration chart. If charts are unavailable you can be sure they are not actually matched. Consecutive serial numbers means absolutely nothing.

[Sound Chaser]

The definition of matched pair as far as the manufacturer is concerned is "consecutive serial numbers'.

In reality this has nothing to do with matched. But, microphones purchased the same time brand new should sound so close to identical that you should not be able to tell the difference. If you can...SEND IT BACK.

From that point on useage will play a role as age, handling and environment will come into play. I have many same series mics bought and used at different times which can have small diviations between them. But, the only matched pair I have are AT4041's witch I only use in matched pair applications.

[sdelsolray]

I don't consider a pair of mics "matched" unless they have been tested by the manufacturer and are accompanied with frequency response graphs. When tested in this manner sensitivity is also matched.

That's the definition I use.

[klaukholm]

Originally Posted by Sound Chaser

In reality this has nothing to do with matched. But, microphones purchased the same time brand new should sound so close to identical that you should not be able to tell the difference. If you can...SEND IT BACK.

Our DPA 4012 pair was tested on the same day at the factory in denmark, by the same tech and they have consecutive serial numbers. I can clearly hear the difference and they require quite different gain settings. The idea that I should send them back is ridiculous because they sound absolutely fantastic. If I had paid a matching fee and had this problem they would go right back to denmark.

[T.RayBullard]

matched pairs make a huge difference here too. I work with classical music and everything is based around stereo pairs of microphones. Having matched mics is a Godsend. my DPA 4006 trio that I use for decca tree was matched at DPA to be identical.

now some companies like AT do not do "matching" , citing the reason that their measurements are exact and the tolerances are so small, that 2 mics of the same type from the company from the last 4-5 years should be very similar.

Gefell, Schoeps and others offer matching for a little extra money.