[Nature Recordists] Inexpensive M/S setup for experimentation?

[Steve Duncan <>]

It seems like the barriers to making one's own stereo boundary mic out of
capsules are fairly low - sites like Rob D's & Curt O's cover the basic
concepts, and the components are inexpensive and fairly easy to find.  But =
for
M/S it seems much less simple, which got me thinking - what would be the
easiest/cheapest way to experiment with M/S, starting with a handheld recor=
der
and no mics? What are the options?

The cardioid part seems the easiest - there are several choices. There is a=
t
least one free plugin for decoding M/S on the computer, but a Rolls MX310 o=
r the
like could do it in the field, using a cable with two connectors wired out =
of
phase at one end, right? That leaves the figure-8 mic, which seems to be th=
e
hard part as there aren't many inexpensive options.

Has anyone been doing this without a heavy investment?