Recording a String Quartet to mix into a song

[daikw]

Hey.

This Saturday I am recording my first string quartet. The results will be mixed into an Indie Rock song sounding somewhat like the Arcade Fire.

My question is split into two parts:

The Venue

We have two possible recording venues:
a) A living room – approx 15ft x 15ft x 9ft
b) a rehearsal room which is larger overall and with a higher ceiling.

The Drums have already been recorded in the living room, so would recording the strings in a different location create an odd combination of ambiances? Does this matter?

Do you think the living room might be too small for the sound to fully develop? If we do choose this room, would it be better to dampen it with cushions and duvets, adding reverb afterwards – or to let the room ambience do the work - even though it's a small space.

Microphone Placement

I have are 2x Studio Projects B-1 and 2x SM58. I know these aren't ideal, but they'll have to do. My idea was to arrange the players in a loose semi circle, placing one B-1 two meters in front of the violins, and one two meters in front of the cello and viola. (finding a sweet spot using my ears) then placing an SM58 near the bridge of the Cello to add a bit of extra bass.
I got this from here: soundonsound.com/sos/apr99/articles/recstrings.htm

Are there phase issues I need to watch out for?
Is there a better way to mic with this set up?

Thanks a million

Dai

 

[carlosguardia]

Maybe this is a good starting point; hope the advice helps:

You can sit them in this manner Left to Right which would be the traditional seating arrangement:
First Violin
Second Violin
Cello
Viola

I would place them in the best sounding room, but that would be hard to determine from the info provided. Larger is generally better but no necessarily so. Use your ears, clap in the rooms, do tests, if you can, with the quartet.

When recording strings, especially violins, mics should be placed at least 2 meters from the ground but in your case, what I would try to do is an A+B spaced pair technique using your B1's.

when you have them seated, measure the distance from the 1st violin to the viola with measuring tape. Divide by 2 and place a little mark with masking tape on the floor at that point. That's the middle of your source. From that point back up 3 meters and place each B1 50cm to each side. Hard pan the mics. Store your 58's.

What you'll have now is a 3:1 ratio A+B stereo setup (mic's are 1 meter apart and 3 meters from the source).

This should be a good starting point. If the quartet is playing pianissimo, piano or mezzoforte you might want to try 1,5 meters away from the source and 50cm apart (25 each from the center or the source). If they're playing forte, or fortissimo then maybe 4,5m and 1,5m would work better.

Good luck.