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Hi guys,
I need suggestions about how to record my violin. Last recording session I put a Sennheiser ME 64 at 20 cm from the top of the violin. The high frequencies were too strong. Was the mic to close? I need the mic to be close to the instrument because I don't record in a soundproof studio. Furthermore, have you a diagram with the propagation angle of the frequencies of the violin?
Thank you in advance.
Gpp

Comments

bent Wed, 12/19/2007 - 20:24

I need the mic to be close to the instrument because I don't record in a soundproof studio.

I'm no guru when it comes to violins and such, but I'll offer this:
Many great recordings have been done in living rooms and such.
Where do you record?

The object of a recording studio's acoustics are not so much soundproofing as it is sound control - but if you mean cutting the sound bleeding into or out of the room, that's an issue that's difficult to solve without $$.

Move the mic away from the violin, just a little bit, angle it a little to catch some room sound, record.
If it still doesn't sound right, move it a little more.

Try putting yourself and the mic in a spot where you can get minimal direct reflections from the surrounding walls, windows, and any large dense pieces of furniture. If you can hang a blanket or comforter across a broad section of wall, or large window, do that.

Thomas W. Bethel Fri, 12/21/2007 - 14:08

Ribbon microphones work well on strings.

Best bet is to get the violinist to play while you walk around him or her with one ear covered over by your hand. Go around until you find the best sweet spot listening with the uncovered ear pointing towards the violin (it will be readily apparent where the best sweet spot is) and then put the microphone where your ear was and do some additional tweaking.

Works every time.