If the outputs of the two microphones are equal (or made equal using gain controls), the stereo
pickup will be similar to that of two microphones placed as a Blumlein X-Y pair, delivering a
wide stereo image.
As you reduce the level of the “side” microphone, the width of the stereo image will narrow
until, with the side microphone turned all the way down, you have just the “mid” mic panned
center for a mono pickup.
Figure 2
Typical M-S Miking Technique
If the outputs of the “mid” and “side” microphones are recorded on separate tracks, the electrical
connections shown in
Figure 3
can be made at the mixer outputs and the adjustment of the stereo
separation can be done during mixdown, rather than during the actual recording.
Figure 3
Typical M-S connection set-up
15
