USING THE R88 IN BLUMLEIN
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sound stages from their front and rear quadrants with an excellent
sense of depth.
The Blumlein “sweet spot” is the center point, directly in front of
the lines on the cups, where channel 1 and 2 bisect. When placing
the R88, position it so that the instruments are + or - 45 degrees
from the centerline. Align the AEA logo and vertical marks with the
instrument or ensemble you are recording.
The front quadrant (pictured above) is the positive polarity stereo
image, and the rear quadrant is the negative polarity stereo image.
This is the stereo equivalent of the difference in sound between
speaking into the front and rear of a bidirectional; the recording
sounds as if it is coming from behind you. What is physically
happening in a negative polarity recording is that the impulse that
would usually push air towards your ears is now pulling air away
from your ears.
