"Fake" AB stereo recording for orchestra worked out fine

[timothys_monster]

I had the opportunity to record a local orchestra from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. It comprises students from the music school and was directed by another student. So nothing yet super professional.

I could only mount two microphones (Rode NT1-A & AKG P220) for an AB recording. Since these two mics are not the same model, it is kind of a fake AB. But only by adjusting the levels, I think it turned out to be a rather coherent stereo image. I didn't even EQ them differently.

Obviously, the performance is not the best. The string section has got some serious intonation issues to solve. But all in all I liked the vibe. Also, the open patio we recorded in has got quite nice acoustics.

Anywhooo, here is the result:

https://soundcloud.com/timothys_mons...rt1st-movement

[HugoRibeiroDotCom]

Sounds pretty damn good to me!

[G-Sun]

Sounds good

[mschuster]

Nice!

[Black_Stone_Steve]

You did a great job placing the mics to give the stereo image!!

[DVDdoug]

I can't listen now because I'm at work. You're getting good reviews!

The two things I'd be concerned with are stereo balance (it should sound centered, with left & right sounding approximately equal in volume). That's easy enough and you might have to do with matched microphones anyway.

And there's a chance that the microphones have opposite polarity ("phase"). Check it in mono. If the bass gets weak in mono or if it just "sounds strange" in mono, try flipping the polarity of one channel and try that in mono. This is unlikely to happen as most mics put-out positive voltage with positive air pressure, but it's not guaranteed. (The absolute polarity isn't critical, but the polarity of the mics should match.)


You have a couple of things going for you... The left & right channels are supposed to sound different, otherwise you wouldn't have stereo. Unless you have an obvious defect in one channel, it's probably OK.

And, with a live recording there is a lot of acoustic mixing of the sound... Both mics are picking-up all of the instruments, just with different intensity and different timing.

I didn't even EQ them differently.

I wouldn't try matching the sound with EQ unless you hear an obvious problem.

Obviously, the performance is not the best. The string section has got some serious intonation issues to solve.

You can't fix the "performance".

[timothys_monster]

Hey guys, thanks you so much for the positive feedback!

@DVDdoug:
I checked the recording again after what you said about probable phase issues and luckily the two mics are in phase.
Next time I will be able to record with 4 channels since there will be singers as well.

My mic choice is still very limited: Behringer C3, AKG P220, Rode NT1A and maybe I will be able to borrow a pair of small condensers. What do you think?