Violin Recording

[chowfun]

Hey there, I have previously done some recording on my violin with a camcorder and the video looks great. The problem is the audio. I want to get a recording done with audio that sounds better. I was wondering if there is a way to record the audio file directly from my violin to my computer. I have read around the web and found out that I need a pickup for my violin. Are there anything else that is required, like specific software or cables? Thanks in advance!

 

[Massive Master]

A better mic (or pickup, if you're into those) simply going into a small mixer with the outputs going to the camcorder's audio inputs would get you there also (with a whole lot less trouble).

 

[Jeff_D]

I think most people prefer the sound of a mic'd stringed instrument as opposed to using a pickup. Eitherway way, you'll need a pick up or mic, a preamp, and something to interface with your computer.

You could do something like this...

That is a firewire device that plugs into your computer. It has preamps built in.

Then you'll need a mic (or two) or a pickup. Look around for a small or large diaphragm condenser mic.

The Firebox will probably come with Cubase. If you dont like that, give Reaper a try. http://www.reaper.fm/

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Yeah, John's got a pretty good idea there; simple and inexpensive.

If you want just a little bit better audio, you could also with a small preamp/interface (e.g. Tascam 122L) and use that to record directly to your computer. The sound would arguably be just a little bit better, but then you'd have an extra expense of getting some decent audio/video software (e.g. Sony Vegas) for your computer, and the extra steps of importing your video into your computer (assuming you have either Firewire or a composite/component video interface on both the camera and computer, an extra expense if you don't) and then matching up the video and audio in the software.

It's not a difficult process, and the digital audio quality would be somewhat improved, but it is more expensive and less "automatic" than putting it all right into the camcorder. That's a decision for you to think about, depending on just what you're looking for.

EDIT: Oops, Jeff D. beat me to the interface part of it. The Presonus he shows is also a decent interface of similar class to the Tascam I mentioned. Either one would work fine.

G.

 

[Toobah]

Just a word about recording stringed instruments; the usual mistake, one that I have seen in professional studios, is to have the violin played in a sound-deadened room, with the mike very close. Violins are not designed to be listened to from a few inches away; they are designed to be heard in a concert hall. Recording up close will net you far more high frequencies than you would hear in a hall, and it will not sound good. Even recording from as far away as my headphone cord will reach, I have to turn the highs all the way off in order to get something resembling what I want, and even then the remaining highs are too much.

Violins and other classical acoustic instruments are not electronic ones and shouldn't be recorded in the same way.

Not really an answer to the question you asked but it might be the next question you ask after you still don't like the sound you get.

Toobah

 

[Chibi Nappa]

Just a word about recording stringed instruments; the usual mistake, one that I have seen in professional studios, is to have the violin played in a sound-deadened room, with the mike very close. Violins are not designed to be listened to from a few inches away; they are designed to be heard in a concert hall.

I have had luck recording violins in a church. You could see about getting in one of those on off-hours.

Also remember when you record from 20 yards away, every single noise makes its way into the recording. Air conditioners. Heaters. Footsteps. Cars. Dogs. Everything. Without a dedicated symphony hall (raise your hand if you have one of those) it really is a trade-off between backing up to hear the room and closing in to remove room noise. You can even try a close mic and distant mic at the same time.