locosoundman wrote:
Great thread - thanks for all of the information everyone.

In general I go with ORTF or some near-coincident variant therof but I
like to use spaced-pair techniques on large ensembles when the room
permits, or if I am using two stereo pairs in conjunction - one to
accent something like a choir, in which case I use a coincident pair
on the accent to get a strong center and clear localisation to better
blend with the diffuse image of the spaced pair - usually a nice
effect. I prefer to use coicindent methods simply for the effect of a
narrower image with a strong center, to be able to control the width
of the image later without phase problems, or for sound that will end
up on video.

Sounds like a great idea to me. As I suggested in another
response, the best thing with stereo techniques is to try
things 'til you find configurations you like. The theory
doesn't go very far toward explaining what really happens.

I have heard much about the supposed advantage of MS over XY because
of the ability to control stereo width after the fact, but I have
never used it due to the complications of rigging it.

There is really very little difference between XY and MS
except for the fact that the stuff usually of greater
interest is on the axis of the M in MS. OTOH, in the plots
I've looked at, the frequency response of a mic at +/- 45
degrees, the most common XY angle, is not very different
from on axis. You generally have to go further around
toward the back to begin to see signifigant variations.

In fact, XY can be converted to MS after the fact for the
same manipulations. Just use the DAW function that
transforms from LR to MS. The result can be remixed when
going back to LR to widen or narrow the image.

I've not played at all with MS manipulations other than
remixing at different ratios going to LR but as I responded
to David, if you are doing any frequency response
manipulation of just the M or just the S, use a linear phase
filter (equalizer) and be sure to delay the other side by
the same amount as the group delay of the linear phase filter.


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein