Best fiddle: Instrument mic'd, DI from P/U or amp mic'd?

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Wondering who's recorded fiddle tracks and what process you used to get that sound to "tape".

We're recording some fiddle soon and not sure what to expect or how best to go about it. Her tone is OK out of her amp but I'm wondering about recording it acoustically.

Thoughts?

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

Absolutely use a mic. Pickups are the big compromise for live performance, but to really record it, you gotta use a mic. What you want is a warm, smooth sounding mic. Some small diaphragm condensers are nice, but these days, ribbon mic's are really proving to do a great job of getting a warm and natural sound without harshness. Also try to record it in a big room so you don't hear the walls or ceilings reflecting back into the mic from to near a distance.

Brad

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

What Brad said... it also depends on the player and what kind of tone she generates. On screechy or scratchy fiddlers, I've had great luck with an Audio Technica 3035 or AKG C 3000, both of which are pretty inexpensive and work well on all kinds of other sources.
When I had Vassar Clements here in the studio, I tried a bunch of mics (he was pretty screechy that day) starting with a Blue baby bottle which I thought was too toppy. I really liked a different mic on him, but he said, "hey, Mark, buddy, would you go back to that spaceship-looking thing?"

Cracked me up... but the crispier tone ended up fitting well into the mix at the end of it all.

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Thanks guys. I know when I recently recorded 6 string acoustic there was no comparison...the large condenser sounded WAY better than the P/U. I guess I should've known the answer.

My mic collection (other than 57s and 8s) consists of chinese made stuff. I recently added an Electro Harmonix 12au7 tube mic pre amp. I think I'll try that along with an Avantone CK6 large diaphragm condenser. I don't own a ribbon mic but would like to add one to my collection.

She can be a bit "screechy". Whoa!

Michael Douchette · From: Gallatin, TN (deceased)

If I may... it depends on the genre of the material. "It all begins with a song," as the NSAI slogan goes. If it calls for a traditional fiddle sound, then miking would be the proper technique. If it's a more progressive, edgy song, then feel free to experiment with different sounds.

Do not limit your sonic menu. Play the song. That's what separates the men from the boys.
_________________
Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.

http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html

(other things you can ask about here)
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o54/Steelharp/

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

That's true, MD. Material dictates...

My OWN problem is that I'm always in a hurry when recording because my time is so limited toward our project. It's taken me a year to figure out that being in a hurry in the "studio" never serves me well.

We've been working on a 10 song DIY demo for nearly a year. Oh Well

jolynyk · From: Prince Albert Sask. Canada

How about recording a solid body elevtric fiddle?? e.g. Yamaha ? Direct into amp? mic in front of amp? or LXR out from back of amp? And would you add reverb from amp, or at the mix after recording??

basilh · From: United Kingdom

Large diaphragm condenser 18" above the body and set on a half cardioid pattern. Angled SLIGHTLY so as the element ISN'T parallel to the body.
ONE mike, any more could present you with phase problems and more than one GOOD mike is not necessary.
IMHO FWIW
BAz

Chris Tarrow · From: Maplewood, NJ

If you have access to a ribbon mic, that can be a great option for fiddle, especially the sceechy variety. Mic positioning can also help, try in front of the player at ear level, very natural and less bow noise.

I always record a DI as well if the player has a pickup, you never know if it may be useful to blend the DI in with the mic, doesn't cost you anything to track it.

Electric violin I would track the DI and mic the amp, that gives you an either/or/both option and also the chance to re-amp the track if need be.

John Roche · From: England

I don't think you can beat this..
http://www.microvox.demon.co.uk/violpage.htm

basilh · From: United Kingdom

Nice one John, looks like the "Swan Neck" one could work well with a reso !
http://www.microvox.demon.co.uk/violpage.htm

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Chris, Basilh, John...Thanks for pitchin' in.

The tracks are fairly traditional so I think I'll mic her with no amplification, trying both a large diaphragm condenser and a ribbon mic. Like you said Chris, the DI might just as well go on a track, too. We've got the track and she's got a p/u so we might as well. We'll be adding her soon, will let you know how it goes.

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

Brian,

A large condenser or ribbon will work. Place it about 1.5 feet above the fiddle. A good mic pre helps a lot too. Roll some of the highs off in the headphone mix when tracking the fiddle. This will cut down on the bow noise and scratchs. You can put it back in later in the mix. Also, give the fiddler some reverb in the headphone mix. It's next to impossible to play a fiddle into a mic without any reverb...if you want to get any decent tone. I always hear the effects, but track it dry and adjust later.

A good pickup, like a Baggs bridge works okay sometimes, but the natural sound is usually best for traditional country recording. The mics that mount on the fiddle are okay if you're playing away from the amp. I usually sit in front of my amp and these things feedback like crazy.

In the mix, pan the fiddle hard to one side or the other, and the steel opposite. Everything in the center makes for a lot of muddy noise. Good luck and have fun.

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