Violin Fiddle Recording Techniqes

Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 06:41:56 -0400
From: "David A. Slusser"

Hi Mickey
My name is Dave Slusser. I'm a beginning
fiddle player who plays guitar, bass, mandolin,and a little banjo. Only
because I write and record my own Gospel music and old time country
music and am finishing my first cd. What I need to know is how do I get
a real great fiddle/ violin sound on my recordings?
I'm currently using steel and alumunim wrapped strings but have heard
that the new Heliocore strings by D'Addario will help soften the sound.
What recomendations can you as a professional make to me? I have a
complete studio in my home where I do my recording so I have access to
about whatever equipment I need. Can you point me in the right
direction?
Thank you
David Allen Slusser
Greetings David,

Mickey forwarded your question to me. I have asked several local performers and one recording engineer how to best get an acoustic sound. Two problems arise in less-than-optimal circumstances. First, fiddlers tend to move and violins are somewhat directional, varying the volume and character in unintended ways. Second, the high level of overtones, volume, and directional nature of the sound interacts badly with reflective rooms.

Two solutions exist. First, one can set up the recording room to not have unwanted reflections, then place the microphone essentially at right angles to the top. The distance that works best to some extent depends on the volume and overtone content of the violin, plus the mike's sensitivity.

The best solution appears to be a small boom mike mounted to the violin. The best of these are fairly high in cost, but produce a superlative acoustic sound. Both room effects and variations in posture and movement have no effect on a mike close to the strings and on the violin. Some experimentation for the optimal position is required.

If you need information on the available microphones, I have some literature and several contacts in the performing/recording industry locally.

Steve Perry for Folk of the Wood