Micing up a Cello

[bronco1891]

Hello everyone. My friend and I are going to be recording cello pretty soon in a studio at school and were wondering how exactly to mic it up. Our list of microphones are as follows:

-Shure SM81 (2)
-Neuman KSM 184s (2)
-AKG 414 (2)
-Neumann TLM 103
-Audio Technica AT 4033
-AKG C451
-and some dynamics (sm 57s, 421s, e604s)

any suggestions are welcome!
The room is pretty good. So acoustics are not an issue.

 

[rokpunk]

any of the mics above should do a good job. before the session, set up a few of the mics and give them a try...listen through headphones. i've had good luck using a neumann km184 about 3" from the f hole, and i've also used a clip on lav mic, clipped to the bridge and had good results. you just need to try a few different things before you hit record. you may even want to set up a 414 to capture the room sound and mix that in with the direct mic'ing.

 

[Scott Whigham]

I recorded this earlier last year with a pair of Gefell M300s -

[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/scott-whigham/cello-test-ross-gasworth-juli-o[/soundcloud]

This is pretty raw - no EQ/compression or anything - and it also clips very bad in a lot of areas just due to my not getting it right at the source. Those are slightly darker and the quality of the room wasn't so great. I wish I'd had a brighter mic like the AKG 414 to try with it.

I took what I learned from that session and recorded the next session with some brighter mics - a pair of Schoeps MK41s and an Earthworks TC30.

I did this about three months ago for a project - check out the last recording on this page and hit the "Preview": http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/musicdfwcom

It was one cello player and he played five different parts. It was a challenge - I used different mics and different EQ/compressor for each take just to create separation.

 

[21stcenturykid]

Probably one of the LDC's (I have a 4033 so I'm certain that would sound great for starters) or the 421 would probably sound quite good as another option.
Put the LDC about 2-3 foot from the bridge, at about the same height. You'll capture some of the room from there which can be helpful. And the 421 maybe 6-12" from the bridge. Apart from that a bit of trial and error is always worth a try!

 

[rokpunk]

I took what I learned from that session and recorded the next session with some brighter mics - a pair of Schoeps MK41s and an Earthworks TC30.

i was going to mention a Schoeps MK41, but didn't think anyone would know WTF i was talking about.

 

[Scott Whigham]

i was going to mention a Schoeps MK41, but didn't think anyone would know WTF i was talking about.

haha - yeah, those are my fave for fingerstyle/flatpicking acoustic and other acoustic instruments. I haven't solved the "Which mic for hard strumming acoustic" yet though - the Schoeps are good but not great for that (or maybe I just need to experiment with mic position more).

 

[KidArchitect]

What's the context of the cello? Style and dynamics?

Bow and plucked?

How dense is the mix going to be? Or is it just solo?

Any ribbon mics available?

 

[Motterpaul]

My gut says AKG 414 would be best.

The trick is where you put it - do not mic an f-hole or too close to the bow.

I would back up a couple feet and place it at angle (but facing the cello) someplace between the bow and the top o fthe fingerboard. Raise and lower to find a balance between high & low notes.

 

[scredly]

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/1014179 Recent thread on this topic.