Microphone Techniques: Mid-Side Miking

The mid-side technique utilizes special processing to capture very precise stereo imagery with excellent mono applicability. A “mid” microphone (typically a cardioid) faces the center of the sound source and captures the primary sound. A figure 8 (the “side”) is placed along the same vertical axis with its lobes facing right and left, thereby picking up the extreme left and right information due to the side rejection inherent in the figure 8 pattern.

The mid-side technique electronically derives a stereo signal from a center mic coincident with a figure-8

This configuration does not constitute stereo until the signals are processed through an M-S encoder matrix such as the one found on channels 7 and 8 of our Octane preamp. The encoder adds the mid and side signals together to create one side of the stereo signal, and subtracts the side signal from the mid signal to create the other. The result is a very accurate translation of the stereo listening field. The presence of an M/S balance control in the encoder also allows the engineer to control the ratio of mid signal to side signal, and therefore the perceived width of the stereo field.

You can use the M-Audio Nova, Luna or the cardioid pattern of the Solaris for the “mid” mic. The ability to switch to the figure 8 pattern makes the Solaris the right tool for the “side” job.

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