tracking a string trio

[Dog_Chao_Chao]

I need to track a Cello / Viola / Violin trio to use in a pop song.

I´m looking for an "orchestral effect" if you know what i mean...Actually, i composed the arranjment for this song with cubase´s orchestral. The client loved it, but now I want to convice him to, at least, add real strings.

The song is a classic slow pop ballad and is sounding great. I just don´t like the sound of the false strings, they don´t sound right to me. So I´m tracking this trio and hope that I can get a more convincing string sound. I´m thinking of tracking them 2,3,4 times until I get a fatter and more orchestral sound. Then I will decide if they can stand on their own in the mix or if they still need to be blended with my original arranjment, that includes other instruments beside cello/viola/violin.

So it would be nice to have some inputs on how to track them. XY in the center of trio? Close mics? Both? Any tips for getting a more orchestral sound would be nice too. Placement of instruments and mics also.

This is what I have to track this guys:

Mics:

Geffel U990 TubeLDC
Neumann U89
AKG 414 ULS
AT 4047
Oktava Mk12 ( 2 )
Ribbon (1)
Md 421 (2)
D112

Preamps:

Sytek(4)
SPL Channel one (1)
TL audio eq 2 (2)


Thanks

Ed

[Dog_Chao_Chao]

I still don´t know what it means but,


bump

[Chris Parsons]

What ribbon mic do you have? If it's nice, and you're doing 4 or 5 passes then I would just use a mono ribbon right smack in the middle. Another option is the 012s X/Y. Anything but a spaced pair (very fake sounding for this sort of thing).

Also if your room sounds good then throw up a mic far away, compress a little, and stack those too.

[Dog_Chao_Chao]

Originally Posted by Chris Parsons

What ribbon mic do you have? If it's nice, and you're doing 4 or 5 passes then I would just use a mono ribbon right smack in the middle. Another option is the 012s X/Y. Anything but a spaced pair (very fake sounding for this sort of thing).

Also if your room sounds good then throw up a mic far away, compress a little, and stack those too.

Thanks chris. i´m afraid my ribbon will let too much noise in, specially if I track this guys 3 or 4 times, even with my sytek that is pretty noiseless.

So you say a mono mic would work? figure of 8?
Well the "standard" aproach for this would be or XY, wich I´m considering, or 2 flanc omnis and one center cardiode further in the semi-circle, formed by the 3 instruments (actually this is ment for a string quartet but I will have one violin less so..).
My question here is wich is the best way to go to produce a layered string section to be blended with guitars, drums, vocals, etc...

Thanks

[Dog_Chao_Chao]

Ok, I will use the magic word:


Can someone help me here,

Please!

[MarkRB]

90% of the pop/rock records we get in with a string section have a (relatively 18-24inches) close mic on each instrument and a pretty widely spaced room pair.

I guess the question is if the part you wrote needs an "orchestral" feel or will a trio/quartet be enough.

Very occasionally a second part may be layered on top if it is different but I can't remember the last time I saw a quartet layered up in a pop production.

The only thing you may be lacking is the higher register thickness without the extra violin. Maybe get your violinist to layer another part..

No EQ on the rooms and maybe a little HP on the close and you should be laughing.

[celticrogues]

Try moving the players to different positions in the room as you layer the parts (leave the mics in one place). A lot of times theis helps the group sound bigger.

Cheers,
-MIke

[Dog_Chao_Chao]

Thanks. Mark, when you say widely spaced room pair, how far from the source do you mean? Like a pair of omni to flanc or pair of cardioide really far away (5/7 meters)?

Celtic, nice tip, I have never thought of that.

Thank you all