Stereo microphones: features and selection criteria

Stereo microphones are a rather narrow niche of devices that are used in cases when you need to record unaccented sound, something blurry, ambient background or natural sounds. It is also great for recording interviews or acoustic music.

A stereo microphone is a device that converts sound vibrations into an electrical signal. It consists of two multi-directional microphones - usually directed to the left and right of the sound source. The microphone uses two separate channels to record stereo sound on two separate tracks (left and right). This creates the natural sound that our ears are used to.

With a stereo microphone, you can record sounds to any device (phone, tablet, computer, and tape recorder). And he also has the ability transmit and amplify sound. This property is used at concerts and other public events.

Microphones are divided into types depending on their purpose, the method of connection to the conversion device and the principle of operation. According to the field of use, they are divided into reporters, for performances on stage, for recording music and broadcasting (television and radio).

Long gone are the days when an artist, performing on stage, or a journalist, trying to interview, pulled many meters of wires. Modern microphone models have come a long way and have become more convenient. They can have various configurations, be connected via a connecting cable, or be wireless, that is, transmit sound over a radio channel over a decent distance. Comfortable lavalier microphones have been invented for journalists. For work in a home studio, stereo microphones are designed, combined with a sound card and connected via a USB connector.

If you have no experience in this niche, then most likely, when choosing, you will have to rely on the advice of experts. The list of the best stereo microphones is compiled on the basis of expert recommendations.

• Shure MOTIV MVL... This model deservedly leads the rating in terms of price-quality ratio. Buying it will be a great investment for the future. The advantages of this model include compatibility with all operating systems of smartphones, high quality, ease of use. The company has developed a dedicated recording application, ShurePlus ™ MOTIV Mobile Recording.

• The second no less honorable place is Rode SmartLav Plus. It records sound just fine. The device is made in Austria and has an enviable quality. Almost in no way inferior to 1 place, the only difficulty is that it is designed only to work on devices with the iOS system. If you have an Apple gadget, then this microphone will be the best addition to your configuration for recording and streaming.

• IK Multimedia iRig Mic Lav 2 Pack - this microphone closes the top three. He, in addition to all the advantages (protection from rain and wind, excellent sound recording), there is one more feature - this device is able to record sound from two sources at the same time. It is also compatible with all Android or iOS devices.

There are a lot of people now blogging on YouTube. There are not so many problems with video files - in case of poor-quality shooting, you can apply various filters. Even if the image is not very high quality, but the audio file is heard perfectly, then, most likely, your video will be watched to the end. But if the sound is not recorded well, then the content will be spoiled. To prevent this from happening, you need to choose a high-quality microphone, and it is better if it is stereo.

It is quite natural that different microphones are needed for different tasks, therefore the requirements of reporters, announcers, TV presenters, musicians will be different. But if you choose a stereo microphone for recording videos on a camcorder or a good camera, then you should pay attention to some parameters.

• Specifications. These are sensitivity, frequency range, device type.
• Length of the connecting cable. Optimum is about 1.5 meters, but some manufacturers supply longer wires. In this case, you need to make sure that there is a reel in the kit, onto which you can wind the excess.
• The size. The small dimensions of the stereo microphone allow it to be invisible in the frame. But here it is important to understand that the larger the device, the better the sound.
• Completeness. When buying, you need to check, in addition to the cable, the presence of a clip for fastening and wind protection - these details are very necessary for the convenience of recording.
• Compatibility. If you have a smartphone or other mobile device on the Android platform, then you need to warn the seller, since some microphones can only work with Apple gadgets.

For a video overview of the stereo microphone, see below.