Recording Cello and Violin

[lukebourne2011]

hey

So, i'm recording Cello and violin for the first time for an acoustic track (Regina Spectre kind of thing) and I was wondering if i get some advice on mic's to use. i've already took into account the sound of the room and where i will place the cello, but i have a huge list of mics at my disposal (as i'm doing this for a project at university and using their mics) and although ive read in a previous post that either a Royer R-122 or a U87 would sound good, I just wanted to post the list i have and see if theres any that recieve an overwhelming response. I'd looking for more of a smooth sound that'd sit nicely in the background of the track.

AEA R84
Audio Technica AT4060
Bayer Dynamic M130 x 2
Brauner Phantom
DPA 4006 x 3
Earthworks TC30K x2 Pairs
Neumann KM184 x 1 Pair
Neumann TLM49
Neumann U87 x 8
Rode NT2
Royer R-122 x 4
Sennheiser MKH800 x 2
SE Electronics Gemini
SE Electronics SE4 x 2
SE Electronics SE44000a x 2
Shure SM7 x 2
Sony C800
Soundfield ST250
Soundfield SPS200
Violet Amethyst

obviously, i'd love to try all of these mics but unfortunately i have limited studio time.

thanks in advance!

[willylumplumps]

I'd try the R84. Especially if the room sounds good. That will be a smoother sound than a condenser mic.

[CHAOS]

Are you recording them at the same time? A decca tree arrangement would be good. Use the DPA 4006's on the outside and the tlm49 for the center. Just don't mic them too close... 3' or so. They will sit in the mix far better that way.

My thoughts, of the hundreds us GS'ers will have with your mic list.

[Earcatcher]

Originally Posted by lukebourne2011

I'd looking for more of a smooth sound that'd sit nicely in the background of the track.

My advice to try, given the wish above:

AEA R84
Royer R-122 x 4
Violet Amethyst

[lukebourne2011]

Unfortunately, the cellist and violinist are the same person so I'll have to do them seperately. Although if you think it'd be worth getting a seperate player in just so they can play together, it'd probably be a hassle but if you think it'd produce far better results I could probably try? Or could I get just as good results from seperate playing?
Cheers!

[mcgruff]

If you're not sure where to place the mics, use the DPA to explore the sound of the instruments at different locations while the performer is playing. If you're in a less than ideal room you'll need to get in closer.

After that, I'd stick up the R84, the DPA, maybe the U87 too, and pick the best one - or best blend - later.

[CHAOS]

Aahh...they are the same player.

Wow...violin and cello. Pretty rare. One caveat...intonation. Typically the artist has a main instrument and then second and so on. These two instruments are obviously very different in fret positions...which can lead to intonation problems for a single player playing both.

Microphone choices for a single string instrument... The DPA and the AEA 84 would be a good combo.

Good luck on the session!

[BStandefer]

Hi There,

I'm a cellist and have played on many records both solo and with another player/group. I always vouch for a larger mic, preferably tube. I've had great results with the 49, the Brauner, or any similar. You can always dial back the "largeness" of the sound. With the violin I would definitely go with a ribbon...I've found the small condensers to be a bit harsh. Of course it depends to on the style of music, but it's a good place to start. The sweet spot for my cello is a foot or so in front and slightly above the bridge angled down pointing at it, but again just a place to start as every instrument is different. Make it a couple of feet in front for more room...wood floors are also a plus! Best of luck and have fun!

Brian

[tiato]

One of the last albums I did had chello and violin and I used DPA 4006s as a spaced pair and it sounded beautiful. The room was amazing also so I expected as much but try it and see what you think. Really natural sounding. In your situation I would throw up as few different mics, move them around and see which simply sound best. It always works.

[lukebourne2011]

I recorded the cello yesterday and used 2 DPA's as spaced pairs and the R84 and the U87 and a got a great result! on to the violin tommorow! thanks for all the great advice

[mcgruff]

Was there one which you liked more than the others?

[fredouli]

loads of options mic wise... Ribbons nice and smooth, Condensers give you the bite, always depends on the track, there's a million different string sounds to be had!
what makes a bigger difference here, is having more than 1 player, the sound of 2 instruments or more, together in the room, I generally find more pleasing than stacking one up!

[suedesound]

i second a ribbon on violin, i've had great results with an m160 so try the 130. put up a good stereo mic setup for room too.

i had a cellist that played on quite a few sessions for me and a 47fet actually worked best on her playing and instrument in that room. closer than i would have thought, and the just above the bridge angling down post is almost exactly what worked best.

remember the room sound is part of these instruments, they don't sound right only close miced