Stereo mics

[rockerdude]

I am in the market for a good stereo mic.I was wondering if anyone used a rode nt4?I know it's basicly two nt5s in a fixed x/y.

I plan on using it on acoustic instruments and maybe overhead drum mics.
The budget is 500.00
Is a fixed x/y mic in this price range just crap?

[leonAzul]

Originally Posted by rockerdude

I am in the market for a good stereo mic.I was wondering if anyone used a rode nt4?I know it's basicly two nt5s in a fixed x/y.

I plan on using it on acoustic instruments and maybe overhead drum mics.
The budget is 500.00
Is a fixed x/y mic in this price range just crap?

I wouldn't say it's "just crap", but it is more limited in application than two matched mics and a bit of creative placement.

In general, x/y is convenient for getting a good stereo image of a small ensemble of well-balanced sounds/voices. As a drum kit overhead, it's very viable.

Using an x/y array on a single acoustic instrument is probably not going to yield more "sound" than a well-placed single mic. JMHO, feel free to experiment!


ETA

If you haven't seen it already, there is this discussion in progress:
Stereo Mics

[paul999]

What is wrong with useing your 2 sm-81's in x/y.

[rockerdude]

I guess I will try that paul.I am gonna try some km84's on my kit in a couple of weeks and see how they sound they we be on loan for day.

[paul999]

Can you post that in the world biggest drum shoot out. RD I would love to hear what you do with KM84's

[rockerdude]

Paul, I will post those for sure.

[paul999]

There was a thread on this a few months back that had some good replies. Stereo Mics

Cheers

[rockerdude]

I will check it.

[newkid]

Originally Posted by rockerdude

I am in the market for a good stereo mic.I was wondering if anyone used a rode nt4?I know it's basicly two nt5s in a fixed x/y.

I plan on using it on acoustic instruments and maybe overhead drum mics.
The budget is 500.00
Is a fixed x/y mic in this price range just crap?

Why not just use two separate mikes?
Much more flexible.
You can xy ab ortf nos and
ms (if you can select a fig8 pattern on one)
and a whole bunch more including xy angle variations
as well as various spacings baffles or jecklin disks etc.

There is a reason why they sell those stereo adapters for your mike stand.

What those web articles omit is the size of the group being miked and how far away to put them and how that changes the results. They just show angle and spacing and assume they will work. One size fits nobody.

You would do better to work with two mikes and try all the various techniques with your band in your room and see what works best.

Maybe we have some mike experts who can help here, but I dont think using an xy for spot miking (eg your drums and acoustic guitar etc) would work very well. xy mikes, as i read the shure guidebook and other sources, are used alone away from a group to make a stereo recording. And the two mikes should be placed so that they aim at about the 1/3 point from either end of the group being recorded, assuming you want stereo.

[paul999]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by newkid

This works just fine for the right sources. I'm sure RD knew that.

xy mikes, as i read the shure guidebook and other sources, are used alone away from a group to make a stereo recording. And the two mikes should be placed so that they aim at about the 1/3 point from either end of the group being recorded, assuming you want stereo.

Can you clarify?