Recording Cello

[daveronan]

Hi everyone,

Ive to record a solo cello piece in the irish chamber orchestra space this weekend and was looking for a bit of advice on microphone placement, stereo mic. techniques and what types i should use.

The equipment I have access to is as follows

2 X DPA 4011 Mics.
Neumann U87
Rode NT5

I'll be recording to Logic. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Cheers,

Dave

[macleod]

i would use the dpa's for a nice stereo recording, keep the neumann with you incase you need a talkback, leave the rode at home.

[NorseHorse]

Originally Posted by macleod

keep the neumann with you incase you need a talkback

+1

[Don S]

Originally Posted by daveronan

Hi everyone,

Ive to record a solo cello piece in the irish chamber orchestra space this weekend and was looking for a bit of advice on microphone placement, stereo mic. techniques and what types i should use.

The equipment I have access to is as follows

2 X DPA 4011 Mics.
Neumann U87
Rode NT5

I'll be recording to Logic. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Cheers,

Dave

Sounds like a great opportunity! I would go ORTF with the 4011 first. If you can't get the sound you want, try MS with the U87 and a 4011. I personally would prefer a pair of 4006's.

[Chao]

I just finished the recordings of my solo cello composition few weeks ago.

4 Moods for Solo Cello
(Due to the music, the 2nd movement is close micing in the same space, but I added some reverb and EQ in mix-down.)

Originally I used ORTF, but I found the stereo image is too wide for single instrument, I narrowed the distance between 2 mics and also tried something which is a bit less than 90 degrees (as opposes to 90 or 110 degrees).

Finding the sweet spot and the balanced reverb sound is also tricky, especially if you have to use a headphone. Fortunately I had the chance to record a live performance in the same space before actual recording session.

[John Willett]

You will find this diagram of how the cello radiates sound at different frequencies useful.

[daveronan]

A wealth of information there guys! Thanks very much!

[daveronan]

This is a small sample from how the recording went if any of ye are interested. Its just the raw audio we have up. Thanks again for everyones help

Files are here >> http://soundcloud.com/j_pike_2k3 <<

[Marlan]

Hey Man,

Sounds like you have some nice stuff there. Being a cellist (I'm slightly biased), I can tell you what I would do if I were in your shoes.

4011's in ORTF, especially if it's a nice hall. Don't forget to experiment with height and distance. John's chart is pretty much right on the money, and you can use it as a guide but it's no replacement for the human ear on stage in the hall.

You can try the U87 as a spot mic in tandem with the main pair if you want a bit more bite but if you push it too hard you'll end up with predominantly a mono recording.

Use the Rode as a talkback mic or paperweight so your sheet music won't blow away in a draft.

Just my 2 cents. 10 bucks say's you're gonna make a sweet recording.

[Marlan]

Sorry. Just realized when you posted and the recording was over by the time my post was submitted.

Hope all went well!