Question About Recording Tips/Techniques

Notes

Note: Erik - I have been enjoying your music for several years. thank
you. I am a professional musician but fairly new to the cello.
I’m looking for any recording tips you might have based on your
experiences. specifically regarding mics used, mic placement,
mono vs. a blend of multiple mics. etc.

thanks.

[Name withheld]

Hi,

At my home studio I use a K185 (Google Search http://bit.ly/oyrwM0) microphone positioned just below bridge level at an angle (approx 30-45 degrees). I record MONO and do not use other mics because I don’t usually have the time or the expertise to deal with phase issues two mics can cause, and because the sound of the room I’m in isn’t something I want documented — single mic, fairly close works for me.
Three of my last recordings were engineered by Scott Solter who prefers to record with two mics, one low by the bridge, one up by the fingerboard. For Block Ice and Propane there were even more mics involved and the cello sounds enormous. He mixed those records and I don’t recall or was not on site during the mix to witness the proportion of sound of one mic to the other - or even if all the mics were used in the final mix. Generally, when I work with an engineer who is talented, I go with their ideas.

Some of the live sound ideas i have:http://erikfriedlander.com/livesound.htm

Good luck!
best,
Erik