Blumlein Technique
Blumlein microphone technique is a unique micophone setup used on countless recordings for generations. Blumlein technique provides a wide and spacious stereo field, traditionally used to capture large performances. Although the technique is usually used for larger recordings, Blumlein technique is equally at home in the modest studio or home studio. You can find Blumlein microphone technique used everywhere from small recording setups to fully professional facilities worldwide.
Setting Up Blumlein Microphone Technique
Blumlein is a ‘coincident’ stereo microphone technique (The capsules/elements of each microphone should be positioned as close as possible to each other). The technique utilizes two Bi-directional(Figure Eight) microphones. It may be beneficial to place one microphone upside-down and position them top-to-top, narrowing the gap between the capsules/elements. The left to right positioning of the microphones should be at 90 degree angles relative to each other, one facing left while the other facing right. This setup places the positive and negitive polar patters of each microphone at 90 degree angles, keeping phase anomalies to a minimum. Keep in mind which side of the microphones are positive, so you can ensure the setup is in positive polarity (in-phase) with the sound source.
Blumlein microphone technique caputures a high amount of ambiance which may be overwhelming depending on the context of the music. Recording a few test runs for reference and review is best. After the technique and positioning has been defined connect each microphone to a preamp or a pair of console channel-strips, it’s best to use a matching pair of preamps for consistentcty of the sonic character and stereo image, pan hard left and right respectively. As with many microphone techniques experimentation is the best method when working to representing a musical performance.
Applications Of Blumlein Microphone Technique
Blumlein microphone technique is a practical and effective technique while allowing for artistic control, through variation of the distance, angle, and positioning of the micorphones. Although best known for its orchestral recordings, individual tracks, or any sound source looking for a spacious stereo image will benefit from experimenting with Blumlein technique.