Recording cello

[dcwave]

Any of you guys record a solo cello before? How do I get the best sound? Room mic, close mic? Small Condesor at bow point for some "grit"

Thanks

[Michael Tibes]

The best sound totally depends on the situation... I usually use a good large capsule condenser, coming off axis from the front towards the f-hole (is that correct english?). The distance depends on the music and the room. Good sounding room with more distance gets you a more classical sound, being closer gets more grip to cut through a pop or rock arrangement. A crap sounding room with more distance gets you crap (surprise, surprise...). If the situation calls for it I add a room mic, maybe even several.

Anyway, cello isn't terribly difficult to record unless the room, instrument or player sucks. So you'll probably get a good sound fast with 1 or 2 decent mics.

Michael

[Michael Tibes]

one more: with a good room an omni mic might sound great. If you have a switchable mic you might give it a try and compare.

Michael

[blob]

I'm a cello player myself, and believe or not, I got the best sound when micing from the bottom!, quite close to the pin, mic pointed towards the bridge.
I found when micing close to the f hole makes the cello sound "nasal" and to tight for my liking.
I remember recording of Frans Helmerson ( a great Swedish cellist) with this method, he also sometimes used sort of a podium (like a wooden box) to put his chair and cello on that.

Hope it helps..
regards

[dcwave]

Thanks.. I ended up putting 3 mics up - a room mic about 6 feet away, omni, 3 feet off the ground. a second mic pointed at the f hole about 2 feet away and 5 feet up and a small condensor close to the the pin pointed at the bridge. Interesting sounds from each. The room mic seemed to get the most natural sound, one you associate with a cello, the f-hole mic was very woody and present. The small mic was a bit to present sounding and would have worked in a dense mix to cut through. I went with a blend of the other two mics.

Interesting learning experience. I wish the player was stronger (high school level orchestra cellist).