rec.arts.movies.production.sound

With that arrangement I guess you could anticipate at what frequency
the phasey weirdness might occur (depending on how much of the same
sound might reach both the podium mic and the xy at roughly the same
intensity) by dividing the "few feet" number into the speed of sound
(1100 ft/s give or take depending on altitude/temp/barametric
pressure...mileage may vary). Six feet might cause audible problems
at about 180 Hz. and to decreasing degrees at it's multiples - 360
Hz., 720, 1440 etc. If you are concerned, you can just bring along a
$25 phase inverting inline adapter to insert into the mic line of the
podium mic and take a good listen... or make a phase reversing mic
cable to insert instead - simply swap the positive and negative
connections on pins 2 and 3 at one end only of the cable. Be sure to
mark that cable so you can easily spot the fact that it will invert
the polarity of any signal that passes through it - and don't move the
shield connection or you might start frying mics when you apply
phantom power.