Stereo Microphone Techniques

One of the most popular specialised microphone techniques is the stereo microphone technique.

Stereo miking is a great way to increase the sense of depth in a mix, giving a quality sound.

There are no rules or limitations when using the stereo microphone technique. Ultimately it is down to imagination and experimentation.

Always be aware of phase cancellation when using the stereo microphone technique.

Phase cancellation occurs when two signals of the same frequency are out of phase with each other resulting in a net reduction in the overall level of the combined signal. If two identical signals are 100% or 180 degrees out of phase they will completely cancel one another if combined. When two signals are slightly out of phase you will notice a warble in the recording - this is not evident when the two signals are panned hard left and right so always check the signal in mono.

For tips on best practice when recording, check out Recording Considerations.

There are  four main procedures for stereo miking, including:

Spaced Paired

Microphone Type: 2x cardioid or omni-directional

 

Stereo spaced guitar front
Figure 1 - Stereo spaced guitar front.

The space paired technique is the easiest of all the stereo microphone techniques and is simply two microphones placed in front of an instrument, with one being placed to the left and the other to the right.

The distance between the two microphones can vary between 10 centimeters to 10 meters. The exact distance is usually determined by the size of the instrument, the size of the room and how many instruments are being recorded.

The spaced pair technique can obtain a large stereo image providing a bright open sound.

There is a drawback to the spaced paired technique. Often there is potential for phase cancellation and comb filtering due to the difference in the arrival of the sound to the two microphones. To help eliminate the problem of phasing, keep both microphones at exactly the same height and distance from the instrument. A mono reference source can be used to check for phase problems.

The spaced pair technique can be used with omni, but mainly uni-directional microphones.

X-Y (coincident)

Microphone Type: 2x cardioid

Coincident guitar front
Figure 2 - Coincident guitar front.

The X-Y technique involves a pair of cardioid microphones of the same make and manufacture placed with their heads facing as close together as possible at an angle of around 90-110 degrees.

The midpoints of the two microphones should be pointing towards the source, with the outputs being equally panned left and right. The two microphones should be placed within close proximity to the sound source.

The X-Y technique produces a relatively narrow stereo spread but good imaging. Due to the microphones' close proximity, there are no phase problems that can be seen with the spaced pair technique above.

Mid-Side

Microphone Type: 1x cardioid, 1x bi-directional

Mid-side guitar front
Figure 3 - "Mid-side guitar front.

The mid-side configuration combines two types of microphone, one being either a cardioid or omni directional microphone (the mid), and the other being with a figure-eight microphone (the side). The cardioid/omni microphone is placed in the middle facing straight forward, while the figure-eight microphone is placed facing ninety degrees to the side.

The mid-side technique provides good stereo spread, stereo imaging, and localization. The configuration can usually be placed on a single microphone stand.

Binaural

Microphone Type: 2x omni-directional 

The binaural configuration is less common than the other three techniques and is used to replicate the way our ears capture sounds, and replay those sounds directly into the corresponding ears.

The arrangement places omni directional microphones on a ‘human head’ while recording. The attempt is to accurately recreate the way a human hears.

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