Topic: XY pattern for off-center taping

[LeftoverSammy]

Hoy-Hoy,
There has been some discussion in the past about "what" pattern to use when taping off center in relation to the band/PA stacks. It seems that most agree that XY produces the best results, while others seem to like DINN or similar and compensate by running one channel hotter than the other to obtain a balanced mix.

In my observations I also like XY only for off center taping, even though I like the sound of DINN and ORTF the best. To me it, XY, sounds more balanced when off center. My question to the community is where do you point the center axis of your mics when off center? Do you point it straight ahead, directly in front at the PA stack, or do you point the center axis half way between the two PA stacks (like more towards the center of the band/stage)? I tried pointing in the center of the stage just at a slight angle last time when I was off center and the results were very good.

Any feedback??   :2confused:

I'm running M210/M200's > V3 > D8


Thanks!

[Craig T]

I do pretty much the same, I "point" the center of the x/y pair toward the center of the PA/stage.  If I'm way off center, I may only point slightly inside of the closer stack, and not all the way to the center of the PA/stage for fear that I'd place one of my x/y mics directly on axis with the closer PA speaker and have the other x/y mic getting mostly crowd/room.

[jhirte]

I've done X/Y off center, trying to aim one mic @ the mains and get the other close to something! (ie not a wall).
Have had better results running one mic to mains, other accross stage when I'm off center and upclose.. get nice PA sound in one channel and stage in the other.
-Jim

[pfife]

If I'm way off center, I may only point slightly inside of the closer stack, and not all the way to the center of the PA/stage for fear that I'd place one of my x/y mics directly on axis with the closer PA speaker and have the other x/y mic getting mostly crowd/room.

Exactly.  It always looks like I have on diaphragm pointed directly at the PA, and the other pointing off into neverland or something...

but the recordings still sound good!

[C.Clark]

i like to run DIN off center, aiming the center axis of the config at the center of the stage/PA

[noahbickart]

I agree that x/y is frequently the best choice for off-center locations and that pointing at the center of the stage can work very well. If you are really off center, you may want to considder reducing the angle- down to 70º or so (but not <70º). You will compromise imaging, but you will avoid pointing the mic at a wall or a screaming chick. Bad locations require compromise...

-Noah