Best Way to mic a uke?

[suzdoyle]

Hey Gang;

Any suggestions on the best way to mic an acoustic ukulele? I'm particularly interested in bring out the mids and lows and minimizing fret noise and strumming noise.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Suz
Apparent Ukulele Queen of the Universe, Inc.

[Len911]

Suz, what mic are you using now? Have you tried a ribbon mic?

[suzdoyle]

Hi Len;

I have two MXL2003 condenser mics, 1 Sure Beta 58-A and 2 Peavey PVM80s. Oh, and a binaural lapel mic set up (from my mini-disc recorder from years ago).

I'm thinking of mic-ing the uke with the Sure near the soundhole, and the condenser a bit up the neck and farther away. Then again, I really should get a ribbon mic, eh?

I'll try out a few different configurations, but would greatly appreciate any suggestions!
Thanks!
Suz

[jazzstan]

Lows on a Uke? Ain't that kinda like hair on my head?

[eeoo]

Do you like the way the uke sounds when you play it? If so try placing the mic above and pointing down towards the soundhole. Usually works for me with guitar...

eo

[dotted8]

Hi Suz,

I've tried a pair of stereo pencils on mine (baritone) but didn't care for it so I just use one of Rob Chiarelli's Guage ECM 87 LDC's about 1-2' away and a little above. I've also started setting up a couple of acoustic panels in a ^ shape behind the mic...

[suzdoyle]

Thanks everyone (and Ha! Great joke, Stan! I appreciate the suggestions. I ended up pointing the Sure mic close to the sound hole, but at a slight angle, and the MXL up the neck slightly tipped. They form a "v" shape, with the uke in the middle of the point of the V. I think that's going to work pretty well. The tipping seems to eliminate the extra strum and finger movement noise. I'll post a sample later in the week. Gotta get back to recording.

Again, many thanks for your suggestions!

Suz

[Kolstad]

Hmm, lots of factors in this. I would consider one of those small clip on condenser mic's as well. They sound awesome, and offers some interesting angles not easily covered by traditional micing.

Also, depending on the uke, you could consider installing one of those under the bridge type of microphones. Those are usually good for "cutting through the mix" type of needs, allthough not great acoustically sounding.

I would think mandolin micing techniques also covers ukes pretty good, so here's a ressource on that http://wiki.vpa.mtu.edu/wiki/index.php/ ... Techniques

[markjsmith]

Hi Suz,
Bringing out lows on any instrument can usually be done with proximity effect. Getting the mic closer to the instrument, but you have to find the sweet spot so it isn't too boomy and weird. I would start by aiming a mic at an angle (off axis) toward the soundhole from the neck side, not the body. I would start with the mic 2-3 feet away and move closer to increase low end. I've used this on guitar, and depending on the track and the part ended anywhere from 3 feet to 6 inches away. This is using a condenser mic of course.
I think most of the engineers I know would do it this way (I hope I'm right here). That being said you should experiment. I did a band project that we recorded stuff with really bizarre mic placements on purpose as an experiment. It actually led to some cool discoveries.
-Mark

[Merryband]

Sounds as though this might work for miking an acoustic folk harp, too... I've wondered what to do, since using the lapel mic inside the back does make it kind of boomy in the lower registers. Thanks!