recording solo violin classical piece in small studio

[PlugHead]

If that is your toolkit, I'd check how the room sounds before proceeding to record. If the room sounds boxy, or is unflattering to the violin, I'd suggest the KSM44 in cardioid pattern, placed above the player/violin on-axis to the belly/f-hole of the instrument, with a minimum of a foot away if the room is poor, higher if you can get away with it.

Best to use your ears and listen up close where it sounds good (not scratchy/bow noise, full and flattering) and place the mic accordingly. if the room does not help the sound, place the mic as close as you can to avoid catching room sound. Later, add reverb to taste.

If the room in fact is appropriate, figure 8 or omni can work well on violin, and IME, ribbons are the sweetest in capturing body and tone of the instrument.

Good luck,

[soundcard91]

thanks, but i must use only one mic or two?

[rumleymusic]

thanks, but i must use only one mic or two?

Two, no question. You don't mic classical instruments in mono. NOS pattern (90 degrees facing out at 30cm), which is better than ORTF for solo instruments, and bad or small rooms. 44's would be good for violin. Get at least 3 feet away, even if it introduces more undesirable room sound. Deal with the boxiness with some good reverb.