deefstes wrote:
Pardon my momentary hijack of the thread but what are matched pairs of mics?
Matched pairs of mics are two mics (usually consecutive numbers off the production line) that are tested to make sure they are as close as possible to each other in frequency response and output level and are then packaged and sold as a pair.
This is done because there is usually some variation between any two mics in a production run due to manufacturing and component tolerance. Even more so when you compare mics from different production runs. Even top brands like Neumann state a tolerance of +/- 2dB from the published frequency response - which means that there is a potential difference of up to 4dB between two mics at any single frequency.
They are important for some stereo recording techniques, particularly where you want a more natural, accurate representation of the source. You want to be sure that both mics represent the same source equally and do not skew the stereo balance or frequency response. The above mentioned 4dB difference at one frequency can cause problems when an instrument plays a note with the fundamental at that same frequency, as the sound will suddenly seem to jump to one side of the stereo field for that specific note.
Not essential (especially for your average pop or rock close mic'ed recording), but nice to have...
