close micing

A technique of placing a microphone close to the sound source (within one foot) in order to pick up mainly the direct sound and to avoid picking up leakage or ambience.

Like most engineers, I strive to eliminate as many variables in the recording process as possible. A large choral group I record often includes high volume gospel tunes. More often than not, there's one or more male or female soloists belting out the lyric over the top of the 120 voice group. Add to this a driving drum and bass line, piano, guitar, etc.. You get the picture.

So I'm wondering if there is a preferred method for close Micing in stereo, or if this is commonly done, or if it's a major faux pas.



It seems to me in my reading here and elsewhere that the XY, ORTF, and Bloomingdales configs are usually used for room mics where they are a ways back from the sound source.