Topic: Cello mic recommendations

[Lazerborg]

Hey guys,
I'm looking into getting a mic to record a cello, and perhaps two cellos on occasion (not a major importance).
I've got a ~$100 Tascam US-144 MkII Pre-amp, and I'll be recording in normal rooms (not a set up studio).
So, the question is, what is your recommendation for a mic? My max budget is ~$400, I've heard good things about the Crown GLM 100, but I'm sure you'll have more suggestions.
(Also, is there any reason I should get two mics to record a cello?)
Thanks!

[notlance]

I really like the Busman Audio BA-SR stereo ribbon mic on strings.  I've made some very nice string quartet recordings using this mic.  It is obviously a stereo mic (Blumlein configuration) and it is only $300.  However, it does need a fair amount of low noise gain.

[mr qpl]

I might go for the Church products for that price, Chris can certainly make a reccommendie. I just recorded Eric Freidlander solo using my dpa4061's with an SP battery box and a d50 a week ago. came out great. My recommendation would be for decent omni's, they would get you a nice sound if mic's are 4 to 15' away and no background noise from other sources, chatter, air conditioning, wind, etc. 24 bit and then the low volume of the acoustic instruments can be amplified without a lot of hiss.

[raymonda]

Beyer 160.

[notlance]

The Crown GLM 100 might be a bit noisy for cello, depending on how far away you plan to mic the instrument.

The Beyerdynamic M160 is a fine mic for this application, but a new one costs more that the OP's budget.  I own both the M160 and the Busman stereo ribbon, and I prefer the Busman for recording cello, if for no other reason the Busman is Blumlein.

[SmokinJoe]

I've always wanted the Busman ribbon to play with, and maybe it's the right tool for the job.  But, as others have mentioned, ribbon mics put out a very weak signal, so you need a really good preamp with a lot of gain, or you will get a lot of hiss in the background.  My gut feeling is that the Tascam interface isn't the ideal device for that.  USB Bus powered preamps are not generally thought of as quiet preamps.  Also, ribbon mics are generally thought of as much more delicate than condensers... the slightest breeze would break the ribbon.  I'm not sure how careful you need to be, but that's what has scared me away from ribbons.

Consider the ADK A-51.  It's a basic large diaphragm condenser with fixed card pattern.  There have been several "series" of the A-51 over the last few years, and I'm not able to tell you if one is better than the others (mine happen to be series 6).  Sometimes in the past they go for as little as $75 each on ebay, when they have a bunch of "last year's model" to get rid of.  Without a special deal like that you should be able to get a new pair for $400, or a used pair for $250'ish.  I've never used it on cello, but it's a pretty decent mic in general, and strings in particular, so I thought it might be good on cello.
http://adkmic.com/catalog/audiophileseries/A-51.php

The OP mentioned the Crown GLM100... that looks kind of like a "pickup" that you would clip to the instrument, but instead of PZM it's a condenser mic.  Our responses have all been about mics that would sit on a stand some distance (a foot or two?) from the cello.  Big difference in what you'll get for sound, and I think most people are thinking that having a larger mic some distance from the body of the instrument will get you more ambiance, but that only works if you are in the right room.

[RichT]

Just to clarify the differences between stereo and mono recordings- it would usually depend on what you want to do with the recording.  Also how you use the microphones and the room are going to make a much bigger difference to the recording than the make and model of microphone you use.

You'll get the best reproduction of being in the room with a stereo pair, at a distance from the source (this will depend on the room and the type of microphones you use, look up stereo techniques on here). However if you want to mix it in with other sources, recorded separately it is easier to place mono sources within a mix. Typically you'd also want to use a close miked recording as this will have less room sound.

A typical 'go-to' mic for cello in the studio is usually an AKG C414 (out of your budget I'm afraid), although most large diaphragm condenser microphones will give similar results (such as the ADK SmokinJoe mentioned).

I use a Crown GLM100 for close miking live cello (it's also good on toms), also Audio Technica ATM35HC (I think they've changed the number now) and AKG C411 (a stick-on condenser mic)

[allan]

The C414 would be a good choice for that, and a used one could be found for right around $400. If I were Lazerborg I think i'd save up another $100 or so and get a pair of ADK TL, used mine on a quartet of 2 cello & 2 violin, pretty good results for just tossing them on a t-bar a foot off the floor.

[Church-Audio]

The C414 would be a good choice for that, and a used one could be found for right around $400. If I were Lazerborg I think i'd save up another $100 or so and get a pair of ADK TL, used mine on a quartet of 2 cello & 2 violin, pretty good results for just tossing them on a t-bar a foot off the floor.

C414 For $400??? I would be very suspect at that price..

[allan]

I think i paid $375 for one of mine on used clearance from guitar center.

[dean]

The C414 would be a good choice for that, and a used one could be found for right around $400. If I were Lazerborg I think i'd save up another $100 or so and get a pair of ADK TL, used mine on a quartet of 2 cello & 2 violin, pretty good results for just tossing them on a t-bar a foot off the floor.

C414 For $400??? I would be very suspect at that price..

I'd second the 414, as I use my pair to record a cello duo quite frequently, and, IMO, with solid results.  Placement is key, of course, as is the room dynamics (both physical and crowd).

In regards to price, since they sell for $1200-$1400 a PAIR for used ones, it's not entirely unlikely that a single 414 would come in for $400.

[live2496]

If you are on a tight budget you might try some of the Superlux CM series.

http://www.avlex.com/superlux/studio.html

I have tried these on live recordings and studio and they sound fantastic for the price. I actually prefer the sound of them over the C414's that we have.

The CM-8HC is the one that is at the studio. It is a very versatile mic and does cardioid, omni and figure 8 patterns.

I'm sure that a stereo pair would sound nice on cello.

EDIT: I looked around for prices and found this... http://www.superlux.us/recording.html
It looks like the CM-8HC is $223. Also support from them has been top notch.

 ~~~~~

As a side note... looking at "A Wexford Carol" (free video on iTunes I got at Starbucks) which features Alison Krauss and Yo-Yo Ma, it looks like they used 3 stereo pair of mics on the cello. One pair looks like DPA's, but I don't know what the others are. Anyway, I think they probably went with more mics so that they could pick and choose which sounded best for the mix. But stereo miking seems the way to go. They are probably spaced omnis in a great sounding room.

[F.O.Bean]

I always liked my buddys CAD mics too

[allan]

So I checked my records, looks like I got that 414 from GC for $400 + shipping. I have a pair of AKG 391 that need to go if they would be acceptable for the OPs needs.

[F.O.Bean]

So I checked my records, looks like I got that 414 from GC for $400 + shipping. I have a pair of AKG 391 that need to go if they would be acceptable for the OPs needs.

I dont see why not. The 391's are quiet and have made excellent recordings. Just depends on room/placement/preamp......