Why matched pair microphones

At DPA Microphones we match pairs that are identical within an extremely narrow tolerance and substantiate this info with a matching curve. Note that even though one microphone has a subtle and intended high frequency rise, the matching curve is horizontal. This shows that both mics have the same high-frequency lift.

Individual microphone linearity is not necessarily the issue here; we are looking for consistent and identical responses across microphones. Check your stereo mics Grab your favorite stereo pair and place them as close as possible in the same spot.

Gain them equally, sum them to mono, and invert the phase on one of them. With an ideally-matched pair, you should not hear anything. If you do hear something, you hear the difference between the mics. There might be a level difference, which is one point where microphones may not make an ideal pair.

Also on sensitivity there is a production tolerance and thus a reason to keep an open eye on matching accuracy. Surround kits For standard surround microphone kits containing five or more of the same microphone, it can be a challenge to maintain a sense of perspective on sensitivity and frequency differences. A reasonable method to prove that the surround kit will be perceived as identical is to show a frequency-difference curve to the mean-of-set frequency response.

When combining two types of mics for a surround kit for instance 3 x A and 2 x A , each type is compared to each other and a frequency-difference curve to the mean-of-set frequency response is presented for each type. Product Matching tolerance on sensitivity A Stereo Kit w. The procedure regarding the miniature capsule based microphones is a bit different. First, before two microphones are chosen for a selected stereo pair, the sensitivity of a batch of microphones is measured.

When the microphones perform within a given tolerance, all microphones from this batch are accepted for a sensitivity selection. No matching curves are delivered with these kits. Related content In Microphone University we have loads of content that could be relevant to you. If it does move, something is horribly wrong with your monitoring chain.

While still listening in stereo, get your assistant to continue to witter away whilst walking in a slow circle around the microphones, maintaining as constant a distance from the capsules as they can.

As the assistant circumnavigates the mics, you'll hear the level fall and rise, corresponding to the polar pattern of the mics. This is a useful test in its own right to check how frequency response changes with angle across the front, and where and how deep the rejection nulls are.

From the 3 o'clock position, the level will then fall faster towards the rear 6 o'clock , where you'll only hear room ambience and very little direct sound. The level will then build again as they return towards the front through the 9 o'clock position. While the assistant travels around the mic, you should also listen critically for the stability of the stereo image. The two mics are facing the same way, and if they have identical polar patterns the image should remain rock solid in the centre.

Any pattern differences at all will result in the stereo image pulling towards one side or the other, possibly only for small parts of the spectrum for example, sibilances might appear to come from half left with a certain angle of incidence to the mic.

If all is well, the mics can be used for coincident stereo recording. Previous article Next article. You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address. Needless to say, the two mics of a matched pair can also be used as individual mics for multitrack mono applications -- think guitar cab, vocals, percussion, bass, etc.

Both the Mini K47 and the Mini K87 are offered in matched stereo pairs. Both have quickly become studio favorites for drum overheads, piano, and all manner of stringed instruments. Choose the Mini K47 for its midrange detail and vintage tone. Choose the Mini K87 for its warm lows and neutral, transparent response. Click for more info on the Mini K47 Matched Pair. Click for more info on the Mini K87 Matched Pair. A "mixed pair," in contrast to a matched pair, is a set of two microphones that don't sound exactly the same.

In this case, the two mics are our Mini K47 and Mini K One is neutral, with a warm low end, and the other has some sonic "color" due to its mid-forward voicing. We bundle the two mics into a stereo pair case to make our Mini K Mixed Pair.