Recording A Violin

[Danny]

Hey Folks,

This is a new one. Got a violinist coming to the studio Monday.

Got my stock 57's, 58's and as far as Condensers go, I will have on hand, a Rode NT1-A and an Audix ADX-51 Pencil.

What would be the best way to go?

Thanks,

Danny

[mojobone]

Depending on the part, the room, the fiddle and the player, but I like an SM57 on a fiddle overdub, just not too close. I like high ceilings, plaster over lath and hardwood floors, and if it's quiet enough, I'd use a high quality large diaphragm condenser 8 feet out or one of your more modern active ribbon mics at about three feet. I like to hear a little chuff from rosin on the strings, but if there's any gritchy-scratchy coming across, I increase the distance, but distance is limited by the mics, the room and mostly, the noise floor. You might want to maintain enough top end to retain some flexibility at mixdown or you may want to mic close and dry for an Eleanor Rigby-type of thing. If I did that, I'd probably select the SM57 or a Shure SM7B. HTH