Charles- recording strings

[1nation]

Hey Charles,

I'm about to record strings for the first time. (Quartet and solo) and I'm trying to decide which mics to get.

I've pretty much narrowed it down to a set of Royer SF-1's or Coles 4038's. I'll also be recording percussion with these mics. What's your prefference for these applications? Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

I'll be using a Sytek with bb on 3&4 or the MP-2NV.

Thanks, Paul.

[fifthcircle]

I'm not charles, but perhaps I can offer my $0.02... I probably wouldn't use ribbons for what you want to do... If I did, I'd probably go with the royers over the coles (I think the coles is an amazing mic, just not for this application).

Rather, I'd consider going with high-quality condenser mics. Don't know what you already have, but I'd sugges either Schoeps CMC6-4 if you have a great room, or Sennheiser MKH40 (800 if you have the cash), or Neumann KM140 (not a 184). They will also probably give you a better sound on your percussion recording as well..

When recording strings, I like using the mics mentioned above as well as stereo mics (AKG 426, Neuman SM 69 tube, AKG C-34, etc..), TLM 170s work well for strings... Microtech M930s and M70s are also quite good for string recording.

--Ben

[1nation]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Right now I have:

Lawson L47 mk 2
AKG C4000b
2x Oktava MK012
sm 57 and 58
D112

If I had to do the session with my current list I'd probably try to find some combo of the L47 and MK012's, but I've heard that ribbons work very well on strings. I also got the Royer CD and the string stuff done with the SF-1 was great.

I'd be cool with getting a nice pair of SDC's. I really want to get a pair of Schoeps 221b's but I don't know if they'd do a good job on strings, they make my guitar sound great so I'm guessing they would be cool.

I'm doing a project that ranges from rock/pop to R&B so I'm not looking for classical style strings.

[fifthcircle]

221B's are quite good on strings... used them for that many times...

Also, since we're talking tubes- there are plenty of other great string mics there... The Neumann 264 is gorgeous... The Neumann 582 can be good, but it has a bit of a bright sound that can be problematic. the UM-57 can sound great on low strings, but the lack of top end is a problem for violins, etc... I'd stay away from AKG C61s as the noise floor is way too high for good acoustic work.

One of the best orchestral sounds I got, was 2 UM-57's in an ORTF array and Neumann 582 omnis on the flanks... Wow... what a sound.

Ribbons can sound great on strings, but I just find them to not be very general purpose... You don't have a huge mic collection so it seems that having mics that work in a variety of situations would be a good thing... All the mics I mentioned earlier can work well or very well in a wide range of situations from drum overheads to vocals to acoustic instruments, etc... Like any mic, they certainly have their strengths, but they all can work at least pretty well.

---Ben

[jajjguy]

Some of you have heard me say this before, but...

I really like the sound of my cello miced with a 4038, but it's a dark, warm, smooth sound, and that has to be what you want. Wouldn't use it as the main mic in a classical session, for example.

[1nation]

Originally posted by jajjguy
Some of you have heard me say this before, but...

I really like the sound of my cello miced with a 4038, but it's a dark, warm, smooth sound, and that has to be what you want. Wouldn't use it as the main mic in a classical session, for example.

That's good to know. Cello will be a huge part of what I'm doing on these songs. Where do you place the mic?

[Brad McGowan]

If you want to be really thrifty, your Oktavas will give you a decent string sound. On violins it may not be as smooth on top as a Neumann, but it will still work out okay. You might find on cellos it will work a little better than violins. I have always been pleased with the results I've gotten recording cellos with my Oktavas. Like you said--if you are not going for a classical sound, then you almost have more options available to you depending on the sound you want to hear.

Brad

[jajjguy]

Originally posted by 1nation
That's good to know. Cello will be a huge part of what I'm doing on these songs. Where do you place the mic?

Most often i aim it at an area between the bridge and the f-hole, on the right side of the instrument (if you're looking at it from the front). Most often i place it a foot or two away. Of course this varies depending on the room , the mic, the desired tone, etc., but that placement usually works for me.

[1nation]

Thanks for the help guys.

Except you Brad... You could get kicked off gearslutz for saying some crap like that.

I'll give the Oktava's a try before I get something else.

[1nation]

I'd still like to get Charles' opinion.

If you had to get just one pair of mics for strings in a rock pop context would you go for

A) 4038
B) SF-1
C) 221b
D)4040
E) Leave me alone already I'm busy mixing hits!!!

[fifthcircle]

221B's can sound amazing on strings... Add to that the KM 264 as another spectacular string mic.

--Ben