Accordion - recording tips?

IIII · 24th September 2007

I own an Italian Bellini accordion and I'm using it in my Irish folk recordings but I have some problems with it. I've tried to mic it with AKG C4000 and C414 but when I put a mic in front of the treble side of the accordion, the mic takes too much "air stream" from the accordion and the high frequences of accordion come unuseable. So I think a pickup system like this THOMANN ACM-01 - Thomann Verkkokauppa might solve the problem, but is this good enough for studio working?

Any other ideas to how to get a great accordion sounds are welcome!

ScottTunes · 24th September 2007

Accordion is a tough instrument to capture. However, I'd take a KSM44 in omni mode (your C414 will be fine) and set it up about 2-3 feet in front of the accordion, and a foot or so higher, and pointed down at the instrument. Provided you have a decent recording room, this should get you 90% there. Any closer and you get key clicks, bellows squeaks and whistling, etc. Any further and you get too much room.

There are many of good mics to use here. But what's important is finding the "sweet spot" with your own ear first, then matching the mic to what you hear.

Good luck! And post your results (with sound bites if possible) when you're finished.

Edit: A ribbon mic would work well too!

vodka gimli · 26th September 2007

This link is a recording of an accordion into an AT4033 about 1 foot away and aimed at the middle of the instrument at head height. Click on the song "Cotton". Use a de-esser if you get too much bellows in the mix.

JordanA · 4th October 2007

Hello. I am an accordion player and I record accordion most of my time. What works for me very well is just finding the sweet spot for that instrument and a Royer R-122. I have tried countless mics and I think it is the most natural for the instrument.

Greg Curtis · 20th July 2008

You are way too close if you are getting air noise!

I've had great results with an M49 on the button side, and a Coles 4038 on the keyboard side. Blend to taste.

Ribbons do suite the instrument very well.

I've also done a pair of x-y 414s that worked really well.

Greg

.

Maris Brensons · 3rd October 2011

Anyone use this THOMANN ACM-01? Maybe wrote some review please.

G-Sun · 23rd October 2011

A sm57/58/7b 50 cm away

Maris Brensons · 28th November 2011

OK - about THOMANN ACM-01 - friend of mine get this one, maybe for studio recording not the best solution, but for live gigs perfect.

ivansc · 20th December 2011

I already have the chopped up bagpipe chanter and drones plus three dismembered banjoes ready for kindling...

Hope this helps....

24th September 2007	#1
IIII Gear interested Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 1 Thread Starter	Accordion - recording tips? I own an Italian Bellini accordion and I'm using it in my Irish folk recordings but I have some problems with it. I've tried to mic it with AKG C4000 and C414 but when I put a mic in front of the treble side of the accordion, the mic takes too much "air stream" from the accordion and the high frequences of accordion come unuseable. So I think a pickup system like this THOMANN ACM-01 - Thomann Verkkokauppa might solve the problem, but is this good enough for studio working? Any other ideas to how to get a great accordion sounds are welcome!

26th September 2007	#3
vodka gimli Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 592	This link is a recording of an accordion into an AT4033 about 1 foot away and aimed at the middle of the instrument at head height. Click on the song "Cotton". Use a de-esser if you get too much bellows in the mix. __________________ "Directly or indirectly, all questions connected with this subject must come for decision to the ear, as the organ of hearing; and from it there can be no appeal." — Lord Rayleigh

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24th September 2007	#2
ScottTunes Gear addict Join Date: May 2007 Location: Left Coast (El Aye) Posts: 393	Accordion is a tough instrument to capture. However, I'd take a KSM44 in omni mode (your C414 will be fine) and set it up about 2-3 feet in front of the accordion, and a foot or so higher, and pointed down at the instrument. Provided you have a decent recording room, this should get you 90% there. Any closer and you get key clicks, bellows squeaks and whistling, etc. Any further and you get too much room. There are many of good mics to use here. But what's important is finding the "sweet spot" with your own ear first, then matching the mic to what you hear. Good luck! And post your results (with sound bites if possible) when you're finished. Edit: A ribbon mic would work well too!

4th October 2007	#4
JordanA Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 332	Hello. I am an accordion player and I record accordion most of my time. What works for me very well is just finding the sweet spot for that instrument and a Royer R-122. I have tried countless mics and I think it is the most natural for the instrument.

20th July 2008	#5
Greg Curtis Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,442	You are way too close if you are getting air noise! I've had great results with an M49 on the button side, and a Coles 4038 on the keyboard side. Blend to taste. Ribbons do suite the instrument very well. I've also done a pair of x-y 414s that worked really well. Greg .

3rd October 2011	#6
Maris Brensons Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Riga Posts: 25	Anyone use this THOMANN ACM-01? Maybe wrote some review please.

23rd October 2011	#7
G-Sun Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Norway Posts: 191 1 Review written	A sm57/58/7b 50 cm away

28th November 2011	#8
Maris Brensons Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Riga Posts: 25	OK - about THOMANN ACM-01 - friend of mine get this one, maybe for studio recording not the best solution, but for live gigs perfect.

20th December 2011	#9
ivansc Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: UK & France Posts: 734	I already have the chopped up bagpipe chanter and drones plus three dismembered banjoes ready for kindling... Hope this helps....