Stereo Mic techniques – Protools Setup

The same Protools setup can be used for AB, XY and NOS technique. Simply create a ‘stereo audio track’ (far right track in picture) and set the input to which the relevant incoming signal (refer to your patch bay). Here the mic is patched through to inputs A 1-2. I added a high pass filter as the microphones were picking up a low rumble from the building site near the studio.

When using the MS technique the setup is a bit more complex.
First create 3 new tracks, 2 ‘mono audio’ and 1 ‘mono aux’. Set the input for the first ‘mono audio’ to your directional cardioid mic (labelled MID in the picture) and the second ‘mono audio’ to the ‘figure 8′ mic (labelled SIDE+ in the picture). Now send SIDE+ to a bus and set the input for the ‘mono aux’ track (labelled SIDE- in the picture) to the same bus. Pan SIDE+ left and SIDE- right. Add an ‘EQ 3 1-band’ to SIDE- and use the ‘invert phase’ function (the blue circle with a line through it on the lower picture). I have also used this EQ to add a High pass filter. The ‘MS MATRIX’ is now setup. By adjusting the gain slider on the SIDE- track it is possible to modify the stereo width.