Recording cello

[Dunder XIII]

I was wondering if I needed to add compression to a solo cello recording I'm doing. Would it take out too much of the performance and feel? I'm asking because classical music is another beast than pop and so might require different recording techniques. I'm quite new to recording.

Thanks

[kartikbala]

I don't think it would be wise to compress any time of classical music as the dynamic variation inherent in this type of music is very important.

And generally most classical musicians can control their dynamics pretty well (imho).


KB

[Ethan Winer]

> I was wondering if I needed to add compression to a solo cello <

As KB said, with orchestra instruments the player expects to control the dynamics. I play the cello, and record myself and other cellists all the time. However, I'm not a great player, so I have in fact used compression to make it sound like I'm a better player. (Just like with fuzz lead guitar, sustain and a steady volume level are often desirable.) But I would never do that with a professional cellist or violinist, etc.

--Ethan

[beaverbiscuit]

Sorry to jump in on this thread off-topic, but I just wanted to say "Hello" to Ethan. I hadn't seen any posts from him recently and was beginning to think that some of the less-tactful at this site had turned him off. When I saw a post about cello, I remembered that Ethan plays and might thus answer.

So a big "How y'all doin'?" to Ethan!

And thanks for the thread, Dunder XIII, and the pointers on recording classical instruments, kartikbala and Ethan. Does the advice for cello/strings also hold for other instrument families, e.g. brass? Don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to record them, but it's intriguing to contemplate.

[wes480]

i generally try to let acoustic instruments breathe a great deal. that means stereo miking for a reasonable distance...and very limited EQ...compression works for a cool "effect"...but it doesn't make the instrument sound better.

You know, I still love the cello recording from "Yesterday". So smoothe. It's great how that recording still sounds fresh...and so many 5 year old pop recordings sound old already.

I played cello in 7th grade....I would like to pick up an orchestral string instrument again...after playing guitar for so long. I think I would like to get into Viola...becuase it's got that lower range than violin which I love....and...can get those great irish sounds out of it. Mmm....that stuff gets me off...celtic music in general...all of the little trills and what not. lord of the rings had some great stuff....of course braveheart.

[Ethan Winer]

Hi BB,

> was beginning to think that some of the less-tactful at this site had turned him off. <

Not at all!

> Does the advice for cello/strings also hold for other instrument families, e.g. brass? <

Yes. With any instrument where the player can control the sound after the initial attack - violin, clarinet, trumpet - you're usually better off letting the player control the dynamics.

--Ethan

[Gargamel]

I've had good success recording my sister playing cello using a 2 microphone approach. I use a ribbon mic roughly 3 feet away around the same height as the area where the bow action takes place. I then use my TLM103 for room ambience with a touch of compression (ratio 1.5:1 or 2:1 - depending on her mood/playing, super fast release time and a sloooow attack))
I'll record each mic to its own track and as the mix progresses I blend the 2 signals together into a final track.

[kartikbala]

For brass instruments, lots of space is needed for the sound to develop. In a classical setting the brass section is sitting right at the back almost against the rear wall!!!

So to get a realistic recording of classical music you've got to remember the relative positions of all the instruments in an actual concert setting and try and achieve those effects (mebbe by panning reverb and delay if you dont have a concert hall at ur disposal!!!!).

Rgds

KB