Sitar

[andy_simpson]

Hi guys,

I have a Sitar (& perc) session coming up so I'm going to do some demos for my site at the same time.
I haven't tried these mics on this kind of instrument so far, so I'm looking forward to it (sitar was one of my key tests for ribbon mic prototypes, so I'm expecting this to sound much cleaner than a ribbon).

Are there any mic formats/positions (mono/stereo/spaced/coincident/parallel/etc) that would be of interest here?

I should be able to experiment a little, if time allows, and post results.

Andy

[mosrite]

Ribbon mic on sitar urgghh

One of my best recordings thus far was of a sitar/tabla duo.

Pair of very nice SDC's, biased to the Sitar. I would be looking for a clean, airy and detailed sound. Be aware of the talc flying off the drums (use foam protection).

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by mosrite

Ribbon mic on sitar urgghh

Dunno, depending on the type of instrument, it might work... One of the two main schools of Sitar playing (Vilayat Khan's style) sounds distinctively less bright than e.g. Ravi Shankar's Sitar. I've never tried ribbons, but I imagine a not-too-dull one could sound good on such an instrument.

One of my best recordings thus far was of a sitar/tabla duo.

Do you still refuse to name the artist...?


In general, my approach to Sitar would always be based on close-miking techniques rather than "ambient" two-mic setups of the AB/ORTF/XY variety.

If you (Andy) have a good room, try both approaches, but don't go too far away from the instruments.
It would be interesting to hear a fairliy closeup sound, too. Something around 50 cm to 1m, maybe... What kind of percussion will there be, Tabla?

Daniel

[Jim vanBergen]

I like neutral SDC's on both tabla and sitar. I have had really good results this way. Neumann, DPA (B&K), Schoeps, AKG, Beyer, Gefell, etc.

Last fall I had a client who wanted dynamics- so I used two M88s on tabla. Also a good mic, but a totally different tone.

Hope this helps.

[d_fu]

Jim (and mos),

I believe Andy isn't looking for suggestions on which mics to use, but which position... He intends to test his own mics (see the website link in his posting).

Daniel


PS(OT): Nothing beats an AKG 414 (EB P48 or B-ULS) on Tabla...

[Jim vanBergen]

Daniel, thanks...I missed the point!

ANDY: Assuming your ribbon mics are bi-directional and not directional, I'd try spaced, coincident, and blumlein with a pair of ribbons. I mean, hey-it's not every day you get a sitar in the studio.

For tabla, I'd try a blumlein pair over the drums (which might be a cool image, or might totally suck) and right in front - which is, for me, the classic point of view for them. Good luck!

Originally Posted by d_fu

Jim (and mos),

I believe Andy isn't looking for suggestions on which mics to use, but which position... He intends to test his own mics (see the website link in his posting).

Daniel


PS(OT): Nothing beats an AKG 414 (EB P48 or B-ULS) on Tabla...

[loujudson]

Here's something to listento first - a stereo blumlein pair on a trio, nothing close.
http://www.amazon.com/Meeting-River-.../dp/B000005L9Z

[andy_simpson]

Originally Posted by d_fu

.....
If you (Andy) have a good room, try both approaches, but don't go too far away from the instruments.
It would be interesting to hear a fairliy closeup sound, too. Something around 50 cm to 1m, maybe... What kind of percussion will there be, Tabla?

Daniel

I think it will be tabla or some related instrument but I find out on the day.

Also, this will be on location & I'm not sure about the room - which I'm told is large but will probably be less than perfect - so I will most likely aim for going in quite close and see what happens.

I may be able to put two pairs at different distances for comparison if I get time.

Andy

[andy_simpson]

Originally Posted by mosrite

Ribbon mic on sitar urgghh

One of my best recordings thus far was of a sitar/tabla duo.

Pair of very nice SDC's, biased to the Sitar. I would be looking for a clean, airy and detailed sound. Be aware of the talc flying off the drums (use foam protection).

Ah, you've never used a good ribbon then!

The last ribbon I put on sitar had harmonics out to 45k, but then the strings were years old so were a little dull.... and that ribbon was a prototype which cost us more in parts than I'd like to admit. Anyway, it's in the cupboard in my workshop now, redundant....

Yes, I will have to watch the talc though, thanks for reminding me.

Andy

[mosrite]

Do you still refuse to name the artist...?

Okay Daniel this one's for you: the Sitarist was Kushal Das.

Ah, you've never used a good ribbon then!

Unfortunately not, I have only used / owned the lowly Coles 4040

[andy_simpson]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

....
ANDY: Assuming your ribbon mics are bi-directional and not directional, I'd try spaced, coincident, and blumlein with a pair of ribbons. I mean, hey-it's not every day you get a sitar in the studio.

For tabla, I'd try a blumlein pair over the drums (which might be a cool image, or might totally suck) and right in front - which is, for me, the classic point of view for them. Good luck!

To clarify, my mics are not ribbon.

When I mentioned ribbons I was referring to my previous work in ribbons which was superceded by my current ideas.

Andy

[andy_simpson]

A quick update, it looks like I'll be tracking this one through the DAD ax24, so this should be interesting!

Andy