Topic: M/S - if the mics aren't perfectly coincident, how bad is that?

[acidjack]

As I threaten to do periodically I'm thinking I may try out M/S for the first time on Sunday.

I happen to not have matching clips, so I may not be able to make the mics perfectly coincident - talking about maybe an inch or two separated. 

How badly would that impact the sound? 

The other alternative I have is using a vert bar and running the 414s laterally rather than the normal way of pointed upwards..

Thoughts?

[darby]

I used 2 "C" clamps on a stand like this

would this help you get them closer?

[page]

The other alternative I have is using a vert bar and running the 414s laterally rather than the normal way of pointed upwards..

if that gets them as coincident as the grills/windscreens will allow, I'd do that. The further apart, the more you'll notice the phase cancelation for off axis (or non-triangulated) information.

[acidjack]

Got it. Unfortunately, out of all the clamps I have, I don't have 2 that will hold 414s as in Darby's photo... I don't think. But maybe I will look again in the mount drawer....  I have 2 superclamps, just worried they will be too heavy on a stand.

[flipp]

There are numerous ways to mount mics. Check the pics to see if something shown can be done with what you have available or give you one of those Eureka/doh/headslap moments. Vertbar and a super clamp or vert bar and a small t-bar may work for you.

http://www.taperssection.com/reference/images/JasonB%20LD%20Mic%20Configs/

[page]

Got it. Unfortunately, out of all the clamps I have, I don't have 2 that will hold 414s as in Darby's photo... I don't think. But maybe I will look again in the mount drawer....  I have 2 superclamps, just worried they will be too heavy on a stand.

if it's just 2 414s and 2 superclamps is all that is on the stand it will hold well enough. I once put a stereo LD mic and a superclamp on a standard issue FOB stand, you just have to keep an extra inch or two at each riser still in the stand and spread the legs a bit more for stability.

[SmokinJoe]

Since you have my old 414 kit, I'll throw this out there... I think if you use that adjustable Tbar and the plastic clips (not shock mounts) there is a way to just squeak by.  Maybe it works if they are both right side up and you have stubby cables.  I don't really remember, but I think I did it one time.  The long term fix was to find a piece of metal (or wood), and drill two 3/8" holes through it such that the mics are wonderfully spaced in the traditional "one mic inverted" plane.