How important is matching of stereo mics? at DVinfo.net

David Ennis · October 31st, 2004, 01:39 PM

The AT3031 has a very flat response, reasonble sensitivity and a good price, but I don't see anyone selling matched stereo pairs. What gets matched in stereo pairs and how important is it?

If it's just sensitivity, does a slight mismatch in senstivity just move the center of the image, or does it degrade the image in some other way(s)?

Matt Gettemeier · October 31st, 2004, 04:23 PM

I guess the easy answer would be; "it depends". I'm willing to bet that 99% of studios use matched stereo pairs, but I HIGHLY doubt... okay I'll bet my firstborn... that NOBODY can hear the difference in two mics of the same make and model... unless one of the mics is defective.

I did a stereo recording using an Oktava mk012 and a Rode NTK... (not exactly a matched stereo pair)... and it was surprising how good the stereo image was. If you match the actual signal strength between channels... no problem.

Okay so if you get another 3031 do you honestly think anybody can really hear the difference? I doubt it.

Jay Massengill · October 31st, 2004, 04:36 PM

Generally speaking, Audio Technica's are very consistent. Unless you were doing critical music recording I think you would be fine with purchasing two AT3031's together. That would give you a greater chance of getting two mics that had been made together, shipped together and stored together. As much as I like 3031's, I doubt you'd be doing critical music recording with them, so in other words I think you'd be perfectly fine.
Of course even with a very good brand like Rode that ships stereo pairs that's not a guarantee. Back during the summer I received a defective pair of NT5's. Both mics had the same problem, but one was much worse. Unless these mics were damaged by heat in shipping, then they must have been defective in manufacturing. I received a replacement pair that was fine.
The 3031's and NT5's are pretty similar sonically, but I like the bass rolloff, pad switch, better clips, generally cheaper price (especially if just buying one) and smaller transport size of the AT's.
You'll find a much greater effect on the stereo image from how you place the mics in the venue as well as how you position the mics in relation to each other, than any slight difference in the mics from a consistent brand.
If in doubt, it's very easy to test and see if you can distinguish any difference in the mics.

Bryan Beasleigh · October 31st, 2004, 04:56 PM

I agree with Mr Gettemeier, some times two totally different mics even sound great. Spend the money you save buying good shock mounts and wind protection. The k-Tek KSSM (with the soft rubber) would be great.

David Ennis · October 31st, 2004, 05:50 PM

My main venues are high school and community theater musicals, plays, and choral/instrumental concerts. Certanily not critical. I thought I'd bank on a stereo pair in front of the stage for events that aren't miked, and when the house is using mics and its board, I'd take a mono mix from the board and use one of the mics as a room mic.

Based on price and the discussions on performance I've read here, I'm deciding between Oktava MK012 and AT3031.

Any comments on my planned usage and those choices?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · October 31st, 2004, 08:27 PM

I've only worked with the Oktava for a little bit, it sounded quite nice. But I've got a lot of experience with the 3031. I like it's overall sound, it's not sticky on the top end like a lot of mics in that class are. I love it.

Jay Massengill · October 31st, 2004, 11:46 PM

I like my Oktava (from the SoundRoom), especially with the hypercardioid capsule. When I compared my Oktava using the cardioid capsule to my 3031 in a theater, the Oktava sounded more open and detailed. However I judged this to be unsatisfactory because it made the poor acoustics of the space very apparent. The 3031 gave a more flattering recording.
I think that with the Oktava, you really would want to spend the extra money on getting a matched pair. That would push the cost well above getting two regular 3031's. It would depend on how much of a system you wanted to build whether the modular nature of the Oktava would be beneficial.

David Ennis · November 1st, 2004, 09:18 PM

Thank you, everyone. The message seems to be that I can't go too far wrong with a pair of either Oktavas or AT3031s.

October 31st, 2004, 01:39 PM	#1
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	How important is matching of stereo mics? The AT3031 has a very flat response, reasonble sensitivity and a good price, but I don't see anyone selling matched stereo pairs. What gets matched in stereo pairs and how important is it? If it's just sensitivity, does a slight mismatch in senstivity just move the center of the image, or does it degrade the image in some other way(s)? __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

October 31st, 2004, 04:56 PM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I agree with Mr Gettemeier, some times two totally different mics even sound great. Spend the money you save buying good shock mounts and wind protection. The k-Tek KSSM (with the soft rubber) would be great. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

October 31st, 2004, 05:50 PM	#5
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	My main venues are high school and community theater musicals, plays, and choral/instrumental concerts. Certanily not critical. I thought I'd bank on a stereo pair in front of the stage for events that aren't miked, and when the house is using mics and its board, I'd take a mono mix from the board and use one of the mics as a room mic. Based on price and the discussions on performance I've read here, I'm deciding between Oktava MK012 and AT3031. Any comments on my planned usage and those choices? __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

October 31st, 2004, 08:27 PM	#6
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	I've only worked with the Oktava for a little bit, it sounded quite nice. But I've got a lot of experience with the 3031. I like it's overall sound, it's not sticky on the top end like a lot of mics in that class are. I love it. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

November 1st, 2004, 09:18 PM	#8
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Thank you, everyone. The message seems to be that I can't go too far wrong with a pair of either Oktavas or AT3031s. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

October 31st, 2004, 04:23 PM	#2
Matt Gettemeier Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 936	I guess the easy answer would be; "it depends". I'm willing to bet that 99% of studios use matched stereo pairs, but I HIGHLY doubt... okay I'll bet my firstborn... that NOBODY can hear the difference in two mics of the same make and model... unless one of the mics is defective. I did a stereo recording using an Oktava mk012 and a Rode NTK... (not exactly a matched stereo pair)... and it was surprising how good the stereo image was. If you match the actual signal strength between channels... no problem. Okay so if you get another 3031 do you honestly think anybody can really hear the difference? I doubt it.

October 31st, 2004, 04:36 PM	#3
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Generally speaking, Audio Technica's are very consistent. Unless you were doing critical music recording I think you would be fine with purchasing two AT3031's together. That would give you a greater chance of getting two mics that had been made together, shipped together and stored together. As much as I like 3031's, I doubt you'd be doing critical music recording with them, so in other words I think you'd be perfectly fine. Of course even with a very good brand like Rode that ships stereo pairs that's not a guarantee. Back during the summer I received a defective pair of NT5's. Both mics had the same problem, but one was much worse. Unless these mics were damaged by heat in shipping, then they must have been defective in manufacturing. I received a replacement pair that was fine. The 3031's and NT5's are pretty similar sonically, but I like the bass rolloff, pad switch, better clips, generally cheaper price (especially if just buying one) and smaller transport size of the AT's. You'll find a much greater effect on the stereo image from how you place the mics in the venue as well as how you position the mics in relation to each other, than any slight difference in the mics from a consistent brand. If in doubt, it's very easy to test and see if you can distinguish any difference in the mics.

October 31st, 2004, 11:46 PM	#7
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	I like my Oktava (from the SoundRoom), especially with the hypercardioid capsule. When I compared my Oktava using the cardioid capsule to my 3031 in a theater, the Oktava sounded more open and detailed. However I judged this to be unsatisfactory because it made the poor acoustics of the space very apparent. The 3031 gave a more flattering recording. I think that with the Oktava, you really would want to spend the extra money on getting a matched pair. That would push the cost well above getting two regular 3031's. It would depend on how much of a system you wanted to build whether the modular nature of the Oktava would be beneficial.