I need to record an ACCORDION!

[A New Guy]

I was wondering if anyone out here has any experience in recording the accordion. Currently i'm using two mics (SM-57's) on both ends and it sounds pretty lame. Are there any specific techniques i should know about?

Thanks.

 

[Ronan]

The squeeze box is actually a pretty full range instrument. As much as I love the SM57, There are better choices. I would look for a pair of good Large Diaphram condensors.

 

[tangerine]

Don't do it..................

 

[Light]

There is NO good way to close mic an accordion, if they are playing both halves of the instrument. If they are just playing the stationary part, no problem, but if they are playing the whole thing, you are going to want to be at least 3-6 feet away. One or two mics, as you see fit, but any closer and you will need to compress the living shit out of it to keep anything like a consistent level.

I also would typically go with condensers, but LD or SD would depend on the sound you are after.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[bigtoe]

i've always used a 451 (small diaphragm) out in front, and, oddly enough, at least 3-6 feet away. one time i was about 15 feet away in a decent room.

key clicks and noises from the thing spurred me away...the balance i got from a far kept me away.

See ya
Mike

 

[Random recorder]

Recordin the Accordian

I've had some good experience recording accordians with a pair of PZM mics.
It would help to do it in a room with some decent acoustic properties. Placement is not critical.

The following was recorded with a pair of PZM's on the floor.

http://cardsamerica.com/rec.wav

(it's a big file sorry)

 

[A New Guy]

Thanks, guys! You're all a great help...i really appreciate it.

If anyone still has more pointers, the more the better!

Thanks again!

-michael

 

[busyboy]

I would have to agree with Random Recorder. I record myself playing the accordion fairly often. If I'm playing both hands, I like to use a pair of PZMs. Of course, the room has to be fairly quiet- computer fan noise, refridgerators and leaf blowers can be a real problem. Some of the best results I've gotten using PZM's involves sitting each on on the seat of a wooden chair (one chair per mic) and sitting fairly close to the chairs. Do I get bellow noise and key clicks? You bet-but I love it. That's how you know it's a real accordion and not some damn sample.

If I'm just playing the right hand (keyboard side) I'll usually throw up a U87. That sort of gives you the old timey or French Cafe sounds.

Good luck.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Y o N e w G u y:

The old "Belly Baldwin?" Yea, verily, I played one for years before moving to Cordovox [which isn't made anymore.]

If you happen to have a PC mic, use some adapters to get it to 1/4 inch; run that mic into your pre amp or recording via patch cords.

Put the mic into the middle of the grill of the squeeze box and "squeeze away."

The left side of the stomach Steinway is pretty dynamic and should carry through or, even perhaps, be a bit strong.

If you are using a non-amplified squeeze box, your dynamics depend on your squeezing accents--louder or softer depending on the phrase your are phrasing.

You also can get a great tremulo by vibrating your right hand on the keys. Shades of Dick Contino. [That dude could really play; I saw him perform in Chicago, way back.]

If all of the above fails, just play "Lady of Spain" and you'll get a good mix.

Green Hornet

 

[audioman76]

Recording an Accordion.

I will be recording a band that plays traditional mexican music with an accordion player in the band. What I am going to do is deffinatly us an x-y pair of c414's but first I want to listin to where I think placing them sounds best first. I will also be going through a Purple tube pre to warm it up a little as I will be recording them directly int Pro-Tools. I will let everyone know how it sounds!

 

[chazba]

The only time an Accordion sounds good is when it lands in a dumpster on top of a banjo!

 

[dementedchord]

try using shotgun mikes from about 1/4mile away.....