Microphone Recommendations for home recording

[Televet]

The new reality means that there will be a lot more recording of performances  from the basement, lessons from the bedroom and even auditions from the kitchen. Our household has a harpist home from college and a violinist shut in together, wanting to make and share  music with their peers and  colleagues. We are rapidly exceeding the parameters of microphones directly plugged into computers and are venturing in to the home recording studio... 

I am looking for recommendations for the types of clip on microphones that seem to have become more or less the standard when one sees soloists who are being recorded at concerts. My harpist daughter has a good understanding about how to mike the harp but we are absolute beginners about the best way about miking the violin. 

Any recommendations gratfully received.

 

Matt

[MarkBouquet]

Clip-on microphones are often used for sound reinforcement (amplification) at live concerts. The advantage they have is that by being close to the sound source, they can somewhat exclude surrounding instruments and sounds. Often used examples are dpa-4099’s and Audio Technica ATM-350’s.

However they’re not ideal for recording in quiet spaces for the simple reason that instruments, violins in particular, don’t sound their best from that close. Violins sound shrill from that close, which can be somewhat corrected with eq, but recording engineers prefer to move the mics away from the instruments. About a meter away seems to be typical for recording a violin.

Another issue with clip-ons is that they can pick up a player’s breathing noise, which can be dealt with in a live situation, but can be problematic for quiet space recording.

Clip-ons are great to have, and they can also be used off the instrument at greater distance, but they aren’t necessarily the first choice for your stated application.

Here’s a good introduction to the topic:

https://reverb.com/news/how-to-mic-violin-viola-and-cello-at-home-or-in-the-studio?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=244170686&utm_content=19499674646&utm_term=&devicemodel=&adposition=&matchtype=b&gclid=CjwKCAjw_qb3BRAVEiwAvwq6VsYiVCLGXCbRilQx-9CDrOxnT42jO0vNj0gtRJ7Ze-7ze8q9Mq6IchoC70UQAvD_BwE

[Televet]

Thank you. That's a great resource.

[Televet]

#markbouquet

Many thanks, I bought a Rode Nt1 for miking the violin and a Scarlett 2i2 as an interface. We are using the Scarlett supplied mike for miking the harp. First couple of recordings today were great.

[MarkBouquet]

#Televet

Your ahead of me in this venture. I considered a Scarlet 2i2, but wound up ordering an iRig Pro Duo I/O as an interface because the way it’s powered allows it to be used with an iPhone (which is all I have). The Scarlet needs bus power from a computer. The iRig Pro Duo I/O is the newest version of that product, and no one has it in stock, so I’m waiting........

And the only mic I have now, perhaps ironically after I said they aren’t ideal for recording, is a dpa4099v clip on. But I want to get a recording mic and the Rode NT1 seems to touch all the needed bases, including reasonable price. I’ll put that on my short list. Thank you too!

[palousian]

I'd be tempted to use the Rode on the harp, and purchase a ribbon mic for the violin.  The Cascade Microphones Fathead II is a nice inexpensive one.  Ribbon mics have exactly the opposite effect of too-close mic placement on a violin.  They seem to aid in filtering out the harsh sounds that you don't actually hear in a violin if you're fifteen feet away, but often get emphasized in a condenser mic.  They tend to be quiet, and you don't want to turn on the phantom power on that channel--it will fry the mic. But if you're using the Rode on the violin and getting the tone you want, awesome. 

https://www.cascademicrophones.com/ribbon-microphone-fat-head

[Deo Lawson]

There are very acceptable condenser microphones available on Amazon for low prices. I use a matched pair of Lyx Pro mics that I got for about $100, and if the room is appropriate then those microphones can get you a surprisingly good sound.

 

You'd also have to buy a mic stand and some kind of interface if you don't have them already.

[Televet]

On 6/23/2020 at 9:58 PM, palousian said:

I'd be tempted to use the Rode on the harp, and purchase a ribbon mic for the violin.  The Cascade Microphones Fathead II is a nice inexpensive one.  Ribbon mics have exactly the opposite effect of too-close mic placement on a violin.  They seem to aid in filtering out the harsh sounds that you don't actually hear in a violin if you're fifteen feet away, but often get emphasized in a condenser mic.  They tend to be quiet, and you don't want to turn on the phantom power on that channel--it will fry the mic. But if you're using the Rode on the violin and getting the tone you want, awesome. 

https://www.cascademicrophones.com/ribbon-microphone-fat-head

That is a very pretty Mike, and not expensive. Warning taken about the phantom power. I can absolutely see myself doing that...which might be a good reason to see if we can continue to get results with the Rode. Its early days so far and to be honest the initial improvement over what we were getting before is so great, that none of us have been too critical about our results...As we progress we may start to become more critical and I will keep the Fathead in mind.

#markbouquet I bought an NT1 Kit which includes a nice shock mount. So far I'm very happy with the results. The Mike that comes with the Scarlett is a really nice well made large diaphragm condenser mike too.

[Geigenbauer]

I am reading some older threads about recording and microphones. Because this one discusses home recording I wanted to add this recent video from Ray Chen. He did a recording in his home with the help of a remote producer and some very nice equipment. I found this interesting to watch. 

 

[StanY]

Nice gear, have been needing more channels and lusting after that Grace preamp.  Not sure I'd treat my ribbon mics like that though!

[Zeissica]

It will be interesting to hear the final result and whether or not the room he recorded in will be "in the mix" or whether they got decent enough isolation. Also how much of each type of mic his producer ultimately used in the mix...  I'm a big fan of ribbon mics for violin recording - been using some Royer and Samar active ribbons lately - really nice stuff! I haven't tried the AT 4080s though - interested to hear how they sound. 

[Dewel89]

great resource are here, filtering harsh sounds is too difficult for me...