Miking Techniques

Question 1

• Coincident pair
• Two Identical directional mics
• Mic capsules as close to possible
• 90 degrees to each

Answer 1

X/Y Array(Config)

Question 2

• 1st mic (directional) pointing toward the source
• 2nd fig 8 mic underneath pointed left and right
• Capsules as close as possible
• Method favors the center of a group
• Good for stereo imaging
• Larger rooms may not work as good for this method because it will require too much distance
• Will require extra decoding

Answer 2

M-S Mic Array

Question 3

• Developed in 1935 by EMI records’ Alan Blumein
• 2 bidirectional mics at the same point angled at 90 degrees
• Will pickup room reflections greatly

Answer 3

Blumlein Array

Question 4

• 2 identical mics several feet apart
• aimed straight ahead toward the source
• mics can have any polar pattern
• Usually 10-12’ apart
• too much distance and the space will seem exagerated, too little distance and the spread will be inadequate
• Add a 3rd mic inbetween will help

Answer 4

Spaced Pair Miking

Question 5

• Same as spaced pair with a 3rd mic 6-7’ in front of the first two mics
• classically they are Neumann M 50’s
• Should be arranged in as much of a equalateral triangle as possible

Answer 5

“The Decca Tree” Miking Array

Question 6

• Most common example of near-coincident pair
• 2 Cardioid mics angled 110 degrees and spaced 7 inches away
• Supposed to replicate human ears

Answer 6

ORTF

(Office De Radiodiffusion Television Francaise)

Question 7

• Two cardioid mics 11.8” apart at 90 degrees from one another
• Stronger stereo image than ORTF and better mono compatibility
• Easier to set up

Answer 7

NOS Array

(Nederlandshe Omroep Stichting)

Question 8

• two omni mics are seperated by a baffle
• baffle can be anything with a hard surface covered in absorbant foam
• trying to replicate ears
• Spherical mics and dummy heads are an example of this
• excellent low response

Answer 8

Baffled-Omni Pair