Theodore Chan wrote:
I am experimenting with M-S mic technique and need some advice on relative
levels between the mid and the side tracks.

Season to taste.

When checking levels, I noticed that the mid capsule's response was
significantly less than that of the side capsule despite pre-amp levels
being set identically. At the time I left the pre-amp levels as they were
since the SNR was such that I could boost the signal afterwards with out an
increase in noise floor.

A reasonable starting balance if the mid is a card would be
to adjust the mid level when pointing at the source, rotate
90 and set the side level 6 dB down from that.

That will give you virtual mics pointing at +-45 degrees
when matrixed to LR. Increasing the side level splays that
angle and decreasing it closes it.


What I am wondering is now that I would like to transform the M-S pair into
a LR stereo downmix, is it necessary for me to boost the signal of the mid
track relative to the side track?

Boost or cut to whatever extent you wish to get the kind of
stereo image you want. Best use your ears for this.


Bob
--

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

A. Einstein