mandolin

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auburncatfish

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I've recently starting applying mandolin riffs to my mostly acoustic guitar and vocals project. I use an MXL 1006 condensor, Sonar 2 and a Delta 66 to record with.

What kind of effects do you add for this instrument? What freq's do y'all roll off?

It stands out so strong inside the mix. It feels like it needs to be tamed some.

Thanks as always.

Andrew.
 
I usually roll off some low end so it won't compete with guitar for space. Effects depend on the context of the tune it's in. Ususally a short reverb if any.
 
Also, do an EQ sweep and look for the pick noise. You can remove a lot of it if it helps. Where it lies depends on the instrument type (A or F), strings and picks you use.
 
"It feels like it needs to be tamed some"

You might try putting some space between the mando and the mic...
2-3 feet or so...
Especially if the mando is in a supporting role....

Check out my page for some mics to try with mandolins...
LOL!

Bruce
www.bruceharvie.com
 
I always use multiband compression on the mando, because it will usually have some frequencies that will jump out and sound a little fatiguing to the ear from time-to-time.
 
Compression on mandolin? The dreaded "it depends".:D
 
The mandolin, especially good f hole mandos, produce a lot of percusion. You must take this into account when recording them. In acoustic music, often the mandolin is the snare drum of the acoustic band, playing the heavy chop backbeat.

I usually record solos on mando seperate from the rythum track, usually using a different mic. If the entire band is recording live in the studio, I set the mic and pre to pick up the solos and turn about 45 degrees off axis for the rythum "chops". This gives me enough gain on the solos to get the sound I want and doesnt distort the chops. Also if overheads are being used, I'll turn towards them. I like that result.

When I do the above, I don't need any compression.

My current favorite mic for this live recording is the Shure KSM44, placed right in front of my right hand and the bridge, about 9" away on axis. I've got a great instrument that sounds good almost no matter where the mic is placed. Most mandos need to be recorded 45 degrees or so of axis, usually where the neck joins the body to work.


Pete
 
petimar said:
The mandolin, especially good f hole mandos, produce a lot of percusion. You must take this into account when recording them. In acoustic music, often the mandolin is the snare drum of the acoustic band, playing the heavy chop backbeat.
Click to expand...

That's a really good point. Maybe that's why it stands out so boldly inside the mix.

I'm an alternative tuner with guitars and sometimes with mando. Any other mando players use different tunings?
 
I play out of tune quite often, does that count? he he

and petimar, good stuff on your recording tech using a mando. sounds like a plan.
 
Check out Bruce's (Tonewoods) page at www.bruceharvie.com and get a copy of his CD "Mandolin Graffiti". He describes on his web site how he recorded all the instruments, especially the mandos. He used a number of different mandos, setups, and mics to get different sounds. My favorite CD in years for just great music.

Pete
 
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