Bob Cain wrote:
Sugarite wrote:
When a
sound reinforcement system is involved, coincident mics are imperative,
since spacing the mics generates very unnatural correlated differentials
from the separated sound sources putting out the same signal. When you have
a broad ensemble of acoustic sources, you end up somewhere in between.

But why would one be doing stereo with sound reinforcement?
The few times I've tried it the variation due to position
in the audience has made it useless unless you are really
close to center and even then it just doesn't come out right.

It depends a lot on the room. In a narrow and long room that isn't too
bright, you can do a surprisingly good job of getting a real stereo image,
even on the sides. You may need mono front fills in order to deal with
the first couple rows on the side, though.

Also, a center cluster can do an amazing job of making stereo work in a
room where it otherwise wouldn't. It won't do miracles, though.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."