Mid-Side Mic'ing (not the technique, the mic)

[Ryan Young]

I was wondering if anybody has heard of or has this microphone. PAIA Mid-Side Microphone

A friend of mine, that I'm recording his acoustic stuff, called me and asked "Have you heard of a mid-side microphone?" I was confused when I was asked about it, and said, "Yeah, it's a technique of mic placement, I know how to do that." and the guy was all, "No no no, it's a mid-side microphone." The music-technology teacher at my school highly recommends it, and I usually trust his word (google search "Doug Forbes" "theremin"). Let me know what any of you think. Could this be useful for mic'ing a cab too? Thanks for the help.
-Ryan

[Slim Shady]

It looks cool, but I'd rather have 2 mics that I could move whever I want. I'm sure it sounds great, but it's such a niche thing that I wouldn't consider buying it unless you've already got a pretty full compliment of mics around and you're not able to get the sound you want with any them.

[Tom Ptacek]

You can use a separate forward facing uni-directional and a side facing bi-directional to achieve a mid-side recording. It's advantage is that you get a great stereo image and when combining to mono there is no phasing problems. I use a Shure VP-88 on my stage for good video sound during plays and comedy routines. Also ocassionally for drum overheads and bands that know how to play live with dynamics.

[comprodman]

To be honest it isn't something I would bother with, 2 sm58 at 45 degrees will give you the same effect and be more useful as singers Mics and plenty of other uses. This doesn't really have any other use. I have a stereo condenser Mic which I use every now and then, but stereo mics have limited uses in a studio and out of them. If this is one of your first purchases think what you want from a Mic first..is it to record an acoustic guitar? then get a nice cheap condenser Mic like the AKG C1000 it will serve you well and be useful on a million projects, if your budget runs to it get two and contact me via my website and I will show you how to record them in stereo without phasing.