When placing microphones for panelists speaking side by side, what is the minimum distance recommended between microphones if they are 24 inches from each panelist?

In the context of placing microphones for panelists who are speaking side by side, it’s crucial to minimize crosstalk and ensure that each speaker's audio is clear and distinct. The recommended minimum distance between microphones is important to prevent the sound from one microphone interfering with another, which can create issues like phase problems or a muddy audio mix.

When microphones are positioned 24 inches from each panelist, having them at least 24 inches apart allows for sufficient space to help isolate the audio from each microphone. This distance helps ensure that the microphones pick up sound predominantly from their respective sources, reducing the likelihood of crosstalk where one microphone picks up sound from another panelist.

Maintaining this minimum distance of 24 inches creates an effective acoustic environment that enhances the overall quality of the audio capture, which is especially important in a setting where clarity is paramount, such as in panel discussions or interviews. A shorter distance could compromise the audio quality by mixing sounds from different microphones.