What mic for a VIOLA?

  • Thread starter Thread starter stompy
  • Start date Start date
S

stompy

New member
Hi All,

I'm currently working on a project where I record my viola and then mix what I played with a .mp3 file. Just to give a quick background, the viola does not sound as high as the violin and is not as low as a cello - it's in the middle. I'm not sure if that factors into the mic choice but just thought I'd throw that in there.

I'm not a professional and this is really just for personal pleasure so I'm not looking for some crazy stuff, but I definitely would like it to sound nice. My budget is $100. Hopefully that's reasonable.

From some personal research I've learned that ribbon mics are good for recording violins, but I'm not sure if they're the best for violas as well. If anyone has any insight on what mic is best for recording a middle-pitched string instrument, I'd be much obliged.
 
Be careful when you see what other people are using to note their recording goal. Many people recording violin are actually recording fiddle. The lower-end ribbon mics are rather dark, which suits the tone most people want from a fiddle. Higher-end ribbon mics have better high frequency response, and can yield a recording that actually sounds like a violin, but they aren't $100.

Violas are already dark (darker than cellos, really), so I wouldn't be looking to make them any darker.
 
I'm with MS.

I played Viola for many years a long time ago, but have not recorded it.
I have on the other hand recorded a LOT of violin from orchestral type songs to fiddle and Celtic type songs.

A lot of what makes a violin tonally difficult to record (hard nasally, bright) is not near as evident on a viola.
I would consider first the environment you are recording prior to making the microphone choice.
If your room sounds good I would try a small diapram omni, there are may very decent sounding ones EXTREMELY reasonable.
But if the room stinks you have to go with a mic the rejects to room and focuses on the instrument aat a much closer position.
It is at that point the choice of mic flavor has to be decided.
If you are going to record directly from overhead, just out of bows reach you want something a little darker (taming the bow scrape)and hopefully rounds out the bottom.
If you record from behind your left shoulder (a favorite of mine) a full range vocal type condensor often works really well.

Positioning and mic choice along with room desirability are always going to influence your choice for a particular instrument.
 
LDC (large diameter condenser) back about 4-6ft.

The entire body of the instrument resonates and you want to pick up the entire experience.
 
All these thoughts and not a single recommendation?

Think of viola as the alto voice in a choir. An AT4033a should suit that voice IMO. About $200 used on craigslist. Sometimes much cheaper. Not ideal though as it's frequency response is anything but flat. And if you have a bad room it'll show.

An SM81 should also work alright. A bit more directional (less room) and also runs about $200 used. And has a flat frequency response with a respectable low end.

A lot of it really depends on how good is good enough? Are you just recording for your sake, or to make some sort of pro-ish / commercially viable product? I agree that a ribbon mic, while well suited for a lot of instrumental sounds might not compliment viola.

Pretty much any mic suitable for female voice should do alright on viola IMO. Although I wouldn't be expecting what you hear is what you get type results from a lot of them. Especially at $100. Instrumentalists can be a bit more picky on mics because we want to sound like us. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Where vocalist are quicker to accept, hey that makes me sound like...
 
I've always used my AKG 414 to record the viola.

But a thought just came to mind-...that I've had great sounding recordings with a double bass using an omni microphone. You can get a Behringer ECM8000 omni for $29. and I bet that would result in a great recording of the viola.
Just put it a few feet in front and about 3 feet off the floor, facing straight up.




:cool:
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm definitely way in over my head but I think I am at least in the right direction. I did some browsing on craigslist and found these two Mics for $120. They are new mics.

RSM-2 Ribbon Mic

Cad E100-2

Based off what you guys have said (specifically timobrien) and looking at reviews, I think I'll go with the Cad. Perhaps I can also bargain a bit too.
 
hi!

probably far too late now but i tried to upload a song for you last week, only to find it was the 'pre viola' mixes! what are the chances????


anyway,,viola on a pair of unmodded oktava mk219s if it's any use.

 
You might want to check out the CAD E100s.

From what I've read they do a very good job recording a broad
range of instruments. I have one on back order and have no
actual experience with it.

Actually American Musical has a deal going with them right
now, buy a e-100s and get 2 freebie e-70 sdc's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top