recording strings

.aa – week six.

In this weeks ‘audio arts’ session we recorded stringed instruments, in particular the cello. Being able to capture and understand the sound of these old instruments is an important studio skill to have, with strings featuring in a huge range of styles of music, from video hits latest to classical masterpieces.

There are several perspectives you can take on the sound of a stringed instrument. We discussed how the sound of a cello would differ from the perspective of the performer compared to the audience (with the strings sitting next to the performer, their ear away from the f-hole chamber). Another sound to consider is the bowing against the strings.

We decided to explore each of these perspectives; using several microphones to create of mix of each of these characteristics of the instrument. The obvious next step was to pick a microphone for each of these roles.

Chamber/Sound Board – AKG C414 BULS
Fingerboard – Neumann KM84i
Room – Neumann U87

These are the microphones that I think suit the task for recording strings, obviously each instrument and performer is going to offer different sounds, and have different requirements, but this is a good start point.

In coming to these conclusions I have tested also the Shure SM57 and Rode NT4. Also, in terms of a room mic, we faced the Neumann U87 and U89 models off, with the U87 coming out on top. These mics were placed on the other side of the room from Anna (cello player), placed around 2 metres in front of the far windows (which did not have the curtains drawn). See what you think:

room U87 | room U89

As mentioned, we tested the Rode NT4. It was placed around the head of the cellist. I do not think it provided outstanding results, perhaps there is more to using an x/y microphone than I know of. As a result I decided for each take I would include a recording using the NT4 and without:

Take 1 (NT4) | Take 1 (no NT4)

-AKG C414 at f-hole
-NT4 bit higher than anna’s head.
-KM84i over fingerboard, to anna’s right, over the instrument
-Room mic U87 next to glass windows

Take 2 (NT4) | Take 2 (no NT4)

- KM84i moved to behind anna’s head (behind cello)
- Room mic moved closer, to anna’s side of the room

.sources.

Grice, David 2.4.07, AA – week six, “String Instruments,” Tutorial presented in the EMU, Schultz Building, University of Adelaide.

Robjohns, Hugh 1999, Strings Attached, Sound on Sound, viewed 12.2.07, http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr99/articles/recstrigs.htm