Recording cello

Dragonfly · 12th November 2005, 08:53 PM

Hey guys, I have a session this evening and I was hoping to get some ideas on what mics sound good on a cello.

The room is pretty big, 18 foot cieling, sort of a pentagon shape. I don't have access to any mics more expensive than an 87, so 251's and 47's are not an option.

What would you guys use, or what has sounded good in the past?

Thanks
Dante

JonCraig · 12th November 2005, 10:45 PM

in the past i've loved a 4038, and that probably means an r84 would be even better (that's usually how things work for me... i'll love the coles on something, then hear the r84 and like it even better). i've also loved a schoeps cmc-5 (U maybe?) on celly, and once a tlm 103 even worked.

celly belly is one of those instruments where mic positioning matters SOOOO much. tilt the mic 1/4" towards the f hole, and it's a whole different instrument.

--jon

krs · 12th November 2005, 11:04 PM

I wouldn't really recommend micing the f-hole.....the 'f' can come entirely too much into play

As stated though, positioning is critical. If you're thinking about micing in the near field, get down on your hands and knees and find the sweet spots.

Good luck! I like an 87 on cello, you definitely can get a good result with that.

klaukholm · 12th November 2005, 11:33 PM

Use an omni or atleast a wide cardoid.
try a spaced pair of omnis starting at ca 12 foot distance.
Good mics in your budget are dpa 4003, 4006, schoeps cmc6/mk2h,
neumann U89.

good luck

kjetil

gsharp · 12th November 2005, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krs

I wouldn't really recommend micing the f-hole.....the 'f' can come entirely too much into play

As stated though, positioning is critical. If you're thinking about micing in the near field, get down on your hands and knees and find the sweet spots.

Good luck! I like an 87 on cello, you definitely can get a good result with that.

BINGO

87 @ sweet spot = done and done

Something out in the room for natural ambience will be nice too. But 87 in the right spot for the particular instrument has worked for me many times.

krs · 12th November 2005, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klaukholm

Use an omni or atleast a wide cardoid.
try a spaced pair of omnis starting at ca 12 foot distance.
Good mics in your budget are dpa 4003, 4006, schoeps cmc6/mk2h,
neumann U89.

good luck

kjetil

THAT's the perfect advice if this is solo classical cello

JonCraig · 13th November 2005, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krs

I wouldn't really recommend micing the f-hole.....the 'f' can come entirely too much into play

oh no! sorry to give that impression! it's been my (albeit limited) experience that wherever the sweet spot is on cello "a" can sound horrible on cello "b". you absolutely have to go move the mic around to get the full tone of the instrument.

i didn't mean to be misleading by saying f hole. i should have said, "tilt the mic 1/4" one way or another, and the sound will change drastically".

sorry for the confusion,

--jon

krs · 13th November 2005, 12:21 AM

thought you might have meant that

Jetblack · 13th November 2005, 12:47 AM

Try convincing the Cellist to install a David Gage "Realsit" pick-up. Go direct through a nice tube pre in combination with above mentioned 87 technique. It really works wonders! Those pick-ups sound nothing like ANY other pick-ups for strings.

paultools · 13th November 2005, 01:37 AM

Try a small-diameter condenser like a KM84 about a foot away, then position it to get your desired balance between body and bow.

krs · 13th November 2005, 01:44 AM

It would be helpful if the original poster clarified what in fact he was recording...

(if it's solo classical cello, kjetil already nailed it and there isn't a lot else to say

)

Dragonfly · 13th November 2005, 06:46 AM

Hey guys, wen't through with the session.

I set up a goo array of mics, including a KM86, a U89, an MD421, a Pearlman TM1, and the U87. All went through Neve 1084's. The Pearlman and the U89 sounded great mixed with the room mics (which were KM86's). The close miced 86 and 87 didn't sound that hot, and I couldn't get them to sound better through mic placement. The session turned out well though, thanks for your advice guys.

Dante

P.S. It was classical.

krs · 13th November 2005, 07:06 AM

mmyohane · 13th November 2005, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Use an omni or atleast a wide cardoid.
try a spaced pair of omnis starting at ca 12 foot distance.
Good mics in your budget are dpa 4003, 4006, schoeps cmc6/mk2h,
neumann U89.

Another vote for DPA 4006s. Excellent mics. Even though your session is already over :)

Jeff16years · 13th November 2005, 11:57 AM

i recently used a KSM 32 on solo cellist live recording, I really liked it.

I may have tried something different if i had a better selection. but it was nice.

i guess thats kind of the thing with the 32, it's "nice" on just about anything

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12th November 2005, 08:53 PM	#1
Dragonfly Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 189	Recording cello Hey guys, I have a session this evening and I was hoping to get some ideas on what mics sound good on a cello. The room is pretty big, 18 foot cieling, sort of a pentagon shape. I don't have access to any mics more expensive than an 87, so 251's and 47's are not an option. What would you guys use, or what has sounded good in the past? Thanks Dante

12th November 2005, 10:45 PM	#2
JonCraig Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,801	in the past i've loved a 4038, and that probably means an r84 would be even better (that's usually how things work for me... i'll love the coles on something, then hear the r84 and like it even better). i've also loved a schoeps cmc-5 (U maybe?) on celly, and once a tlm 103 even worked. celly belly is one of those instruments where mic positioning matters SOOOO much. tilt the mic 1/4" towards the f hole, and it's a whole different instrument. --jon __________________ "my job is to make music sound great and to not whine too much." --george massenburg Learn PT Techniques from Multi-Platinum Engineers. Click Me. Pro Tools "Tip of the Day" Widget. Click Me.

12th November 2005, 11:04 PM	#3
krs Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 724	I wouldn't really recommend micing the f-hole.....the 'f' can come entirely too much into play As stated though, positioning is critical. If you're thinking about micing in the near field, get down on your hands and knees and find the sweet spots. Good luck! I like an 87 on cello, you definitely can get a good result with that. __________________ Kirk Starkey String Design Arrangement - Performance - Production http://kirkstarkey.com Ottawa ON Canada

12th November 2005, 11:33 PM	#4
klaukholm Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Malmö, Sweden Posts: 1,245	Use an omni or atleast a wide cardoid. try a spaced pair of omnis starting at ca 12 foot distance. Good mics in your budget are dpa 4003, 4006, schoeps cmc6/mk2h, neumann U89. good luck kjetil __________________ Kjetil Laukholm European Classical Records CK Recording Malmö Symphony Orchestra

13th November 2005, 12:21 AM	#8
krs Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 724	thought you might have meant that __________________ Kirk Starkey String Design Arrangement - Performance - Production http://kirkstarkey.com Ottawa ON Canada

13th November 2005, 12:47 AM	#9
Jetblack Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 542	Try convincing the Cellist to install a David Gage "Realsit" pick-up. Go direct through a nice tube pre in combination with above mentioned 87 technique. It really works wonders! Those pick-ups sound nothing like ANY other pick-ups for strings.

13th November 2005, 01:37 AM	#10
paultools Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 1,599	Try a small-diameter condenser like a KM84 about a foot away, then position it to get your desired balance between body and bow. __________________ We are creating enemies faster than we can kill them.

13th November 2005, 01:44 AM	#11
krs Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 724	It would be helpful if the original poster clarified what in fact he was recording... (if it's solo classical cello, kjetil already nailed it and there isn't a lot else to say ) __________________ Kirk Starkey String Design Arrangement - Performance - Production http://kirkstarkey.com Ottawa ON Canada

13th November 2005, 06:46 AM	#12
Dragonfly Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 189	Hey guys, wen't through with the session. I set up a goo array of mics, including a KM86, a U89, an MD421, a Pearlman TM1, and the U87. All went through Neve 1084's. The Pearlman and the U89 sounded great mixed with the room mics (which were KM86's). The close miced 86 and 87 didn't sound that hot, and I couldn't get them to sound better through mic placement. The session turned out well though, thanks for your advice guys. Dante P.S. It was classical.

13th November 2005, 07:06 AM	#13
krs Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 724	__________________ Kirk Starkey String Design Arrangement - Performance - Production http://kirkstarkey.com Ottawa ON Canada

13th November 2005, 11:57 AM	#15
Jeff16years Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Weymouth, MA U.S.A. Posts: 687	i recently used a KSM 32 on solo cellist live recording, I really liked it. I may have tried something different if i had a better selection. but it was nice. i guess thats kind of the thing with the 32, it's "nice" on just about anything __________________ www.sonicdisorder.com

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