Tips & Techniques:accordion recording

Hello!

I suggest that you'll record this instrument in stereo and not mono.
The reason is that the accordion has some panorama Dynamics of the player.
also to get the feel in both sides of the instrument and true color of the sound.

I used A-B Microphone setup to record it, placing two identical Condenser Mics both with an exact same distance from, the center of the instrument ( it is really important to preserve the same distance or else you'll get phaseing in your recording). constantly check for phasing between takes becase the accordion playersa tend to move here and there.

If your still lacking some nice Low - Low-mid sound you can use a dynamic mic facing the center of the instrument.

Bare in mind that you'll have to Edit some " Breathing" Sounds the instrument produces.

Good Luck
Edonedush

[waxx]

i agree on the stereo settings, accordeon is a stereo instrument, so record it stereo. I did got some good results with some senheiser 606's in a ab setting, about 30cm from the accordeon in front of the speaker like cover.

[edvdr76]

I record about 80% Regional Mexican music at my studio and accordeon is a very common instrument. I usually use 1 mic.... a U87 or a 414. If I do record it stereo, I'll use a pair of either.

[loujudson]

One accorionista I worked with live would clip a small mic to her left wrist so it got a steady sound onn the bass end without pumping when it moved.

[primalsteve]

The best sound I have gotten on accordion was by using three mics.

1. AEA R84 on low end hole about 12" away from the hole.
2. Manley Reference Cardioid on high end hole same distance.
3. Royer SF12 just one diaphragm as an ambiance mic about 15 feet away.

The song heavily featured the instrument so It was split left and right for the sound hole mics and the royer in the center.

[psycho_monkey]

The one and only time (so far) I've recorded accordian, I got a sound I'm still 100% happy with (and that never happens with me). I used a pair of KM84s at the treble end in XY, and an 87 for the bass end. The movement didn't seem to affect anything adversely, but judge for yourself - MySpace.com - The Mile High Young Team - London/Oxford, UK - Rock / Folk Rock / Folk - www.myspace.com/themilehighyoungteam (the song is "The Bering Straits", hopefully it'll be audible enough through myspace compression).

[therealtaxman]

yeah i think stereo is the best technique for redcordings an accordion...but that doesn´t mean put 2 mics one each side of the instrument, you should try something like an ORTF or an spaced pair from 1 meter at least from the instrument or closer if you need more presence...you will hear the real instrument there..not just two sounds totally separated on each speaker .


hugo.

[edone]

thankx mate,

never thought of that like that.

[stainless]

I'll soon be working with an accodianist who plays thru a Marshall with effects-

I'm thinking in order to capture his sound, treat it like a guitar amp?

think there's an advantage to placing him in one room and the amp in another and getting mics on the instrument?

[Kiddid]

old post but i'll respond anyways...

micing the accordian isolated from the amp would prolly be essential. of course it all depends on what the overall sound of the recording is he's shooting for. if a heavy-metal amplified-accordian sound is what he wants than that might not be necessary. more than likely i would think you'd want to blend some of the dry signal with the wet amped one, especially if he's dealing with a style of music that is more commonly experienced live, which is frequently the case with that instrument.