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Hi,
Can someone explain exactly what happens if recording two mics as "Stereo" on the mixer, compared to two mics defined as mono, using the pan function etc.? In other words, when people describe XY, etc., I assume they are saying to define both mics as mono right? What does the mixer add then when defining as stereo, in same XY?

I want good vocal recordings.

Thanks!

Comments

TheJackAttack Mon, 10/19/2009 - 09:49

Stereo is an artificial creation of two interleaved sound sources loosely defined as left and right. In regards to recording, you are speaking mainly of a set of two coincident microphone techniques. There are advantages and disadvantages to each technique and most engineers have their pet go-to's. There is a wicki article that is halfway decent describing the most familiar versions and what the standard mic patterns associated with those techniques are. You should definitely drop the dime on the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook which describes all of this and more in good detail. Then all you have to do is practice all the various configurations in all the myriad rooms and situations you will encounter-but only for the rest of your life just like the rest of us.

Some mixers claim the two bus main out slide is a stereo out but that is a misnomer. It ain't.

pbouldin Tue, 10/20/2009 - 13:19

TheJackAttack wrote: Stereo is an artificial creation of two interleaved sound sources loosely defined as left and right. In regards to recording, you are speaking mainly of a set of two coincident microphone techniques. There are advantages and disadvantages to each technique and most engineers have their pet go-to's. There is a wicki article that is halfway decent describing the most familiar versions and what the standard mic patterns associated with those techniques are. You should definitely drop the dime on the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook which describes all of this and more in good detail. Then all you have to do is practice all the various configurations in all the myriad rooms and situations you will encounter-but only for the rest of your life just like the rest of us.

Some mixers claim the two bus main out slide is a stereo out but that is a misnomer. It ain't.

Ok, John - thank you! I'll pick up the yamaha book but let me try the question at a different angle.

Please compare two scenarios, both with my Alesis Multimix 16.

1) Two mics established as mono in Cubase software, in the recommended mic placements, and panned 45 degrees on the mixer.
2) Two mics established as stereo in Cubase software, same mic placement.

Can you tell me the technical difference in these configurations?

Thank you!
Patrick

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