[JohnR]

Hello, would anyone have experience in mics for stereo (X-Y or Blumlein) recording of small acoustic works. Let's say budget max $1k.

[nathanm]

I've got a Crown SASS-P MkII which is pretty awesome.  Once I heard a PZM mic I was hooked.  If you listen to this mic with headphones on it's like phantom imaging crack.  I believe it has a rising top end which makes everything sound extra crispy, but in a good way.  If I had my druthers I would love nothing more than to stick it in a lively room with a loud guitar cab and feast on the delicious room tone. *sigh*

[JohnR]

Not made any more, apparently Still, does it need to be mounted on a flat surface, or on a stand - ?

[Loud and proud]

Scheops are my personal fav but way out of that price range. Second would be Earthworks or Neumann also fairly pricey. Keep in mind these more expensive mics also hold their value. I would suggest at looking a switchable pattern mics as so you can explore more techniques like MS and space omni as well as xy and Blumlein. PZM mics do not do stereo separation all that well but are really great closed into a piano or stuck in a Kick drum. But are primarily designed to capture sound with in room boundaries.

[HAL]

The Crown SASS-P needs a mic stand.

[Mike Nomad]

I've used a Rode NT-4 in the field, with really good results. Expect to pay about USD$500.

While I haven't heard the results, a couple of people have told me the liked the results they got with the Shure VP88. They run a couple of hundred dollars more than the Rode.

[StevensSound]

The Rode microphone is very nice. 
Do you already have a means of recording, or are you looking for an integrated solution?

[JohnR]

The Rode microphone is very nice. 

The Rode NT2a or NT2000 look like good contenders - well thought of, variable pattern, low noise. Over the budget although I can get them cheaper from overseas (how bad is that, they are made in Australia!)

Do you already have a means of recording, or are you looking for an integrated solution?

I have a Roland UA25-EX which I've just started playing with (for recording, was using it only for measurements before). But I'm thinking of perhaps an upgrade to the Octa Capture might be worthwhile. What are your thoughts in this area? (I need USB as my laptop doesn't have Firewire.)

[santacore]

The Rode NT2000 and NT2a are decent, but can be a bit bright, and spitty. You might want to check out:
Josephson C42 pair
Aversion STO-2 pair
Peluso CEMC6 stereo kit
Oktava MK-012 stereo pair

[StevensSound]

Are you going to be recorded more than 2 channels of audio at the same time?
If not, this just came out, and if I was looking for a reasonably priced 2 in soundcard, I'd buy this.
Around the same price as the octa capture you mentioned, but you are getting two very high quality inputs with the Apogee 

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/duet2.php

[JohnR]

Are you going to be recorded more than 2 channels of audio at the same time?

Hi, that was the idea... The Duet looks cool and all... do you have one? What do you like about the mic preamps and A/D over other units?

[JohnR]

Josephson C42 pair
Aversion STO-2 pair
Peluso CEMC6 stereo kit
Oktava MK-012 stereo pair

Hi, thank you for the suggestions. I was looking at the Rode multi-pattern mics as they would also allow Blumlein recording (figure 8 pattern). However I'm starting to think I may be getting ahead of myself....

[FullRangeMan]

Late Telarc used a Sanken that goes til 100kHz:http://www.sanken-mic.com/en/report/reports.cfm?top=1&id=12

This model below are Stereo XY 180º
http://www.sanken-mic.com/en/product/product.cfm/9.1001000
Not know the price of these mikes though.

[JohnR]

Not know the price of these mikes though.

Out of my budget

[JohnR]

Just ran across this:

http://www.avantoneaudio.com/ck40.htm

Mics are like hifi! Soooo many options.

[HAL]

The OSS technique with the Jecklin disc and omni's worked well for some home stereo recording in a small room.

http://www.josephson.com/tn5.html

[Loud and proud]

There really are so many great choices in mics and placement strategies. That Avantone looks sweet, like Neumann U69:) Stay on budget though and be sure and get quality mounts and stands a sand bag or two to try out some various techniques. Also shock mounting is highly desirable when stereo miking.

I m a big fan of ORTF so be sure and give that a try.
http://www.wikirecording.org/ORTF

[jtwrace]

Great mics at a real world price.  All custom made by Jon himself. 

http://www.naiant.com/naiant/microphones.html

[jimdgoulding]

Russell Dawkins might be the man to ask.  Best.