overhead configs?

[rubber314chicken]

what is the difference between 2 overheads 4 feet apart vs an x-y config vs 1 stereo microphone as far as audio quality goes?

[thesilentdrummer]

Check this out:

http://www.shurenotes.com/issue25/ar...p?flash=true:D

So you basically have, as you said, spaced pairs, xy, and stereo Mic. There are a couple more obscure ones, but those arethe major stereo configs. Spaced pair is definately the most effective in creating a stereo image. The other two,though, eliminate possible phase problems. Check out that link for full details.

[rubber314chicken]

Originally Posted by thesilentdrummer

Check this out:

http://www.shurenotes.com/issue25/ar...p?flash=true:D

So you basically have, as you said, spaced pairs, xy, and stereo Mic. There are a couple more obscure ones, but those arethe major stereo configs. Spaced pair is definately the most effective in creating a stereo image. The other two,though, eliminate possible phase problems. Check out that link for full details.

okay, so if I'm going for the Rush style of panning, I should go with the spaced pairs? And with the phase issues, if there are any, is it just as simple as inverting one of the channels in audacity, or is it harder to fix than that?

[thesilentdrummer]

Originally Posted by rubber314chicken

And with the phase issues, if there are any, is it just as simple as inverting one of the channels in audacity, or is it harder to fix than that?

Yah, or you can setup the overheads equidistant from the snare. This is the usual prescription for eliminating phase problems.

[ferguson66]

I went to a Protools course last month and we recorded drums two ways just to demonstrate the difference. One was a spaced pair and the other x/y. We all expected the spaced pair to sound the best and have the best stereo effect. We were all surprised when the x/y recording sounded the best and I mean easily noticeably better.

The instructor also fully expected the spaced pair to work better and it was his studio. So this really tells me that playing style also effects how the recording will sound with different mic configurations.

My best advice would be to take the time and experiment with different configurations. You just never know until you try it yourself.

[.tom]

x/y oheds sound unaturally stereo cuz cymbals are exagerated wide in the field whereas tom toms -rak toms dont register in the stereo field. they sound mono cuz the mic pattern points both mics away from the toms, causing the mics to pick up mostly proximity, but can also exagerate reflections. x/y ohed config shouldn't be used in small room.

[guy]

Great thread guys!
This is totally cool. Thanks for the solid info.