XY Stereo Technique

X/Y stereo technique uses two microphones placed at a 90º angle from the other (see fig.1a), in this case, cardio pattern pattern has been used. It is a coincidence pair. This is because the microphones are placed as close as possible to each other receiving so the audio single arrives at the same time.

How the acoustic guitar sounds

It is explored how changing the position of the microphone affects the sound the guitar produces.

• Neck – The scratching of the fret board can be heard due to the lack of bass frequency.
• 12th Fret – A crisp and clean place to mic the guitar because there is a balance of mid and high frequencies, while bass is slightly undermined.
• Sound Hole – Warm sounding and fuller sound, where the strum of the stings can be heard, lacking the click of the guitar fret board.
• Bridge – Warm lower mid tones are prominent where resonance from the high strings can be heard.
• Body – Produces mid and bass frequencies, hearing body resonance.

Trouble shooting

• Proximity affect, increase in volume and increased bass. Make sure to keep around 10 cm from the mic, to combat this. Can occur more frequently when recoding the Body and Sound hole of the guitar due to the increase in bass.
• Make sure to check the gain on both track, other wise if the mic is jogged midway through, you could end up with slight increase in phase or one recording being louder than the other.