Re: Using a stereo mic- are they your choice as a sound pro?
 

Yes, absolutely right! If the mic has M and S outputs, you just use M. If it's internally matrixed and you sum the L and R outputs, the side capsule will cancel out completely and you'll end up with M.

M/S has some quirks when used for stereo, but if you want a universal mic that works well in mono, then M/S is certainly preferable to X/Y.

Re: Using a stereo mic- are they your choice as a sound pro?
 

Thank you so much guys it means a lot to know I have given some good advice and helped with a mic choice!

anyone looking at a rode videomic should check out the sonys as they will be far more useful and forgiving, I use the smaller 907 as my stock interview and do it all ext mic for my canon HF11 HD minicam and have done full interviews with it as well as off cam effects and music recordings!

Re: Using a stereo mic- are they your choice as a sound pro?
 

I would also like to add my thanks to the contributors to this post, for a very informative lesson in the use of stereo mics - it certainly cleared up a lot of doubts on the best practices for me!

I bought a Rode NT4 last year, encouraged by a well known blogger, for use in improving interviews - one mic each for the subject, and for me, but can see now why my success has been limited!

Re: Using a stereo mic- are they your choice as a sound pro?
 

I suppose to keep it really simple we speak in mono but listen in stereo, so if you wish to record the mono human voice cleanly it is best to do it in mono, you can then post produce it for delivery into stereo if you wish.

A stereo mic has it's uses in recording stereo sounds but for recording two mono sources such as two people speaking it is best to use two mono mic's as close to the source as possible, you can then do what you wish with the recording afterwards.

Re: Using a stereo mic- are they your choice as a sound pro?
 

A couple of times (over a span of 26 years) I've used a stereo mic as two mono mics to capture two people talking, however there are two important considerations to remember. The position of the two people must work well for the placement of the stereo capsules, which as Gary mentions won't be as flexible as using two individual mics that can be placed independently. Consequently you must checkerboard the audio edit to eliminate the off-axis sound from the capsule aimed at the person who isn't speaking. That's a lot of work, but sometimes the circumstances of the video shoot make two independent mics impractical.

Re: Using a stereo mic- are they your choice as a sound pro?
 

Does it work well as an on camera mic?

Re: Using a stereo mic- are they your choice as a sound pro?
 

"HOWEVER: I was thinking that in a pinch, one could use the AT 822 Stereo for an interview if you had two people placed at the correct L/R angles to the mic. One person feeding mostly into chan 1 and the other mostly into chan 2, setting the pan appropriately of coarse, also allowing for some leeway in post."

Jonathan,

Test your surmises into the theoretical as you will. At some point, sooner than later, you'll find that you also need a theoretical van and theoretical production assistant to carry all of your theoretical possibilities.

The practical world is different. When I'm hired to do sound, I don't show up with every piece of gear I own. I ask what the job is, what the circumstances are and bring what's needed with a little backup.

Carry on!

Ty Ford

Re: Using a stereo mic- are they your choice as a sound pro?
 

Hi Ty,

Theoretically clients should be willing to pay to have things done right. I know that having the right crew would be life in the production world at it's most awesome.

BTW- I just ordered your book "Audio Bootcamp Field Guide". I look forward to digging into that once I finish and review Jay Rose's book.

Thanks.

Jonathan