Recording cello

[Dragonfly]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

thought you might have meant that

[Jetblack]

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]

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]

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 thumbsup)

[Dragonfly]

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]

[mmyohane]

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]

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