A better microphone perhaps?

[MichaelCalgary]

I would really appreciate some input from the forum members.

My Dad is 89 and I decided to undertake a small project of recording very short pieces that he plays. Obviously, this is NOT a professional studio. This is a home setting. After doing some research I came across multiple recommendations for the RODE VideoMic Pro+ Compact Directional On-Camera Shotgun Condenser Microphone. So, this is the microphone being used in these recordings. However, after playing the recorded pieces for my Dad he tells me that he does not like the sound that much. Here is an example:

 

Question: Those of you who play violin professionally and record the music outside the studio what microphone would you recommend? I am NOT a sound recording professional. However, I would be interested in learning what setup the musicians are using. Perhaps I can recreate something a bit better so that my Dad will like the sound.

Thank you for your help in advance.

Edited November 19, 2020 by MichaelCalgary

[MarkBouquet]

Microphone placement is mission critical when recording a violin. Also, the room and your position in it, and a bit of reverb can be very helpful. I have no doubt that your microphone is up to the task, you just have to take care of everything else.

I would also point out that a violinist really doesn’t know what their violin playing sounds like from a distant listener’s perspective. This is why they should always bring someone else along to play any instrument they’re considering buying, so they can hear that distant sound, which is usually better than the player’s experience. My point is that your dad likely doesn’t really know how he sounds from a distance.

I recommend studying this page: 

https://reverb.com/news/how-to-mic-violin-viola-and-cello-at-home-or-in-the-studio

 

[Rue]

Yes...the link doesn't work for me either.

It would be good to hear.

One thing to be aware of;  what you hear played under the ear always sounds very different from a recording (any recording).  So before you set up an expensive recording studio - your Dad might not like any recording of his playing that he hears! 

[Bill Merkel]

^Copy and paste the text into your address bar.  How many times do I have to take over the internet and sort it out...

 

Playing and recording both sound fine to me.  

[Rue]

 

[Rue]

8 minutes ago, Bill Merkel said:

^Copy and paste the text into your address bar.  How many times do I have to take over the internet and sort it out...

 

Playing and recording both sound fine to me.  

Well - you could have just reposted it! 

Otherwise I agree with Bill.  Sounds fine.  Your Dad will just have to reconcile himself to the way he sounds different in a recording.

[GeorgeH]

That was sweet. Your Dad sounds good. 

[Blank face]

You should consider that most of the "professionel" recordings are processed, with added filters, reverb, echo and more effects. There seems to be a lot of background "noise" which could be reduced within the settings of your recording device? Otherwise the playing sounds fine and pure to me.

[MichaelCalgary]

Sorry about the link. I updated the link. Hopefully it works now.

 

By the way, thank you for all the feedback.

[Stephen Fine]

If you have a room with a little more reverb and you put the mic a little farther away you'll get a little bit sweeter sound.

If your father hasn't recorded himself before, it's a miserable process for most people.  But I agree with everyone else, dad sounds good.

[Ernee]

A pleasant coincidence-- just in my mailbox is another home-brewed version.

https://fromthetop.org/video/daily-joy-autumn-leaves/ 

 

[Bill Merkel]

The mention of a more reverberant room makes me think just take the same setup to a nice old church.  Do keep it casual like it is though

[Al Cramer]

Your Dad sounds great &  putting his music out into the world is a righteous thing to do!

I'm also interested in mic's for internet. It seems the one you're using goes for 300$. If I could only come up with 100$, could anyone make some recomendations? (apologies if I'm hi-jacking this thread -- if people think so I'll delete this posting).

[Bill Yacey]

Sounds pretty good for a DIY home recording, and very nice playing.  You might try renting an AKG C414 from Long & McQuade.

A large diaphragm condenser has a sweeter, more natural sound to it compared to a small diaphragm. Move the mic in closer for more direct, dry sound, and further away to capture more of the room ambience.

[Adrian Lopez]

I have no personal experience with this, but most of what I read some number of years ago while researching the matter leads me to believe that either a small diaphragm condenser or a ribbon mic would be best for recording violin. Here's one article suggesting the same:

Fiddle Fiddle Big and Little

Of course, the microphone is only one factor. Microphone placement and recording environment are also important.

[mbrancalion]

I like VERY much the sound i'm hearing in this video.

[martin swan]

I would endorse what everyone here has said already - this is a really nice project that you've undertaken for your dad. I want to play like that if I ever get to be 89 ...

The sound of the microphone you are using is fine, his playing is very soulful and he has a unique tone which comes across well.

However, there are two things which are probably disturbing him - one is the dryness of the recording, which comes from being quite close to him in a rather small but reflective/bright acoustic.

The other is that you have an automatic gain control (probably on the camcorder) which brings up the background noise when he's not playing and which crushes the dynamics of his playing. You can surely over-ride this somewhere in your camcorder's menu. 

If you can do that and then get him to play in a larger room with a slightly wider shot (or the same shot but from further away on a longer lens setting) then I think your problem will be solved.

The mike itself is more than good enough for the purpose, although very directional (shotgun) mikes would never be my first choice for a neutral room sound.

[sospiri]

On 11/19/2020 at 7:06 PM, Bill Merkel said:

Playing and recording both sound fine to me.  

Me too. 

[StanY]

A good room is critical to getting a good sound - I just picked up some very nice pro mics to play around with as a hobby (AEA R88a, Rode TF-5) but will get a much superior result with a cheap mic in a really good space vs. the other way around, e.g. this recording done with a $90 Zoom H1n, with no processing.

BTW is the Rode VideoMic Pro a mono mic (single capsule with same output to both channels)?

bruch-test.mp3