Recording 'Cello

[rayc]

Hi,
I've been learning to play 'cello & am attempting to use it to augment my recordings. I have a bug pickup/preamp set up as well as a variety of mics.
I've managed to get a good tone onto tape & also onto harddrive HOWEVER I'm experiencing HEAPS of trouble wih the dynamic range of the thing.
Can anyone give me a clue about recording or processing the signal either from the bug or mic to get a less wild range of volume?
I'm using a turtle beach card into cakewalk pro. Are there any plug in compressors or other processors, (free?), that might assist?
Alternately I can record into either a MT100 4 track or a Truvox reel player.
Cheers
rayC

 

[Ethan Winer]

Ray,

> Can anyone give me a clue about recording or processing the signal either from the bug or mic to get a less wild range of volume? <

I play the cello too, and record myself and others all the time. The first clue is you said you're just learning the cello. Getting a consistent and even tone and level is the most difficult part of playing a bowed instrument. The left hand is the easy part - the real problems are in the bow arm! This doesn't mean you're out of luck though.

The key here is to use a limiter. Set the attack time to as fast as possible, and the release time to somewhere between 50 and 200 milliseconds. Then lower the threshold as much as needed to even out the levels.

I'll also mention that between a microphone and a pickup, a microphone always gets a more natural sound. If you want an electric sound the pickup may be a better choice. But if the goal is to sound like an acoustic cello, a good condenser microphone will give much better results.

Here are a few more resources you may find useful:

www.ethanwiner.com/compressors.html
www.ethanwiner.com/cello.html

--Ethan

 

[Kasey]

i havent got much to add, but all of what he said is correct. I play cello and record it all the time, and while you can use compression to help your volume problems remember that the cello was meant to be a dynamic instrument. Its all up to the musician (thats you pal) to keep the volume consistent. I highly doubt that any classical recordings use heaps of compression in order to keep the strings a consistent level. I'd be surprised if they use much at all. Also, as mentioned above, a mic will give you a more natural sound (same goes for most acoustic instruments with pickup options).
my advice - practice until your arm falls off and then practice some more. its ultimately up to you. Practice maintaining a consistent bow pressure and speed.

 

[rayc]

Thanks

Hi Ethan & Kasey,
& thanks. No quick fix as I guessed.
I've been playing with a little Sony electret 19B condensor mic amongst a wide variety of others. It seems to offer a good result.
The bug p/up is very "electric" & I've used it successfully only when I've been after a very effected sound.
I'll get back to the elbow grease and tinker with my outboard comp/limiter.
Cheers & thanks again
rayC

 

[Ethan Winer]

Kasey,

> I highly doubt that any classical recordings use heaps of compression in order to keep the strings a consistent level. I'd be surprised if they use much at all. <

Yeah, most likely none.

Though maybe some manual gain riding here and there.

--Ethan

 

[Kasey]

Kasey,

> I highly doubt that any classical recordings use heaps of compression in order to keep the strings a consistent level. I'd be surprised if they use much at all. <

Yeah, most likely none.

Though maybe some manual gain riding here and there.

--Ethan

i would have said none, although they probably use just a tad when mastering.

 

[treymonfauntre]

and as etahn said, there was still somebody sitting there adjusting the volume if it was from the days before compressors came about