Micing a violin

S

Steve Ferreira

Sophomore
Jan 12, 2011
189
0
16
Toronto, Canada
I just got a call from the organizers of the event I'm doing on sunday. They just told me that they will have a violin player. I asked the questions: "Is there a pick up? Do I need to mic the violin?" They couldn't answer the questions for me.
I will be trying to get ahold of the violin player so they can tell me what I will need.

My question for you guys is. What mic would you recommend for micing a violin, if there is no pick up? I just want to be prepared, I will most likely have to rent a mic if it's needed.

Thanks
 
Re: Micing a violin

SDC on a boom stand. Tell the player to keep the bridge under the mic, the closer the better for live, a foot away for recording. My go-to mic for this is an AT Pro7a which friction fits between the D and the A strings just behind the bridge. The small gooseneck condensers also are great for an instrument mounted application, but with a real violin there is hardly ever a way to attach it. If you have a lavalier mic you can clip it to the strings behind the bridge. Mounting the mic frees the player to move a bit which is less stressful than having to maintain a fixed position for the boom mic.
 
Re: Micing a violin

On a stand, SM81 or AT Pro37 or ATM650 (dynamic).

On the violin itself, Pro35 or ATM350 on the shoulder rest, or a small lav on the strings under the bridge. DPA actually makes a nice foam holder for lav type mics.
 
Re: Micing a violin

Jay Barracato said:
On a stand, SM81 or AT Pro37 or ATM650 (dynamic).

On the violin itself, Pro35 or ATM350 on the shoulder rest, or a small lav on the strings under the bridge. DPA actually makes a nice foam holder for lav type mics.
Click to expand...

As others have said, a small diameter condenser on a boom stand from above and in front of the player-how close you need to go for gain before feedback issues depends on the situation. Also consider the Crown CM700, Earthworks, SM81, DPA, etc...

If the player doesn't mind, small clip on condensers are great in less than stellar conditions, or when a very direct and immediate sound is desired. For my work in Celtic traditional music, this works very well. Withing the last week I've had Matt Cranitch on stage, who carries his own(I believe it's one of the AKG clip ons), and Oisin Mac Diarmada, who carries his own DPA violin mount condenser.

Best regards,

John
 
Re: Micing a violin

I have 2x PG81's but can easily get access to SM 81's, and wireless lavs. Spoke to them tonight and they are sure she doesn't have a pickup, so micing will be the only solution.
Thanks so far everyone, keep the tips coming.
 
Re: Micing a violin

what is the rest of the music happening? i regularly use a shure wl51 or 185 in a pinch and mic across the three high strings facing the mic toward the high side. cut all the lows to 160 and eq to taste. this will get you some volume to compete with the rest of a band. if its just solo violin, you just need to use the above suggestions
Brian Frost
 
Re: Micing a violin

If GBF is an issue sometimes I use a little cheap unbranded piezo pickup in addition to SDC. I think it cost about 10-15 bucks. The pickup sounds awful, but with some radical EQ and a blend of the SDC mic highpassed to just add detail to the upper ranges you can get good sonics and much more output without worrying so much about stage bleed and feedback.

This isn't much help in time sensitive situations, but if you have a few minutes to tweak it can be an inexpensive option to consider
 
Re: Micing a violin

Jeff Babcock said:
If GBF is an issue sometimes I use a little cheap unbranded piezo pickup in addition to SDC. I think it cost about 10-15 bucks. The pickup sounds awful, but with some radical EQ and a blend of the SDC mic highpassed to just add detail to the upper ranges you can get good sonics and much more output without worrying so much about stage bleed and feedback.

This isn't much help in time sensitive situations, but if you have a few minutes to tweak it can be an inexpensive option to consider
Click to expand...

I have used some contact pickups occasionally but find the limiting factor here to be the player and the instrument. Very few "violinists" will allow any kind of adhesive material in contact with the finish of the fiddle. As a player myself I can totally understand this. Guitarists can be the same way for the same reason. Harpists, however, seldom refuse to let me stickum a Shadow pickup to the soundboard.
 
Re: Micing a violin

Ola Brekken said:
Anyone used Countryman B3 lav on violin?
Click to expand...

Not the Countryman, but any good lav should give you something usable if the music isn't "heavy" and the stage volume is low.

I've also had several people accept and enjoy using a wireless headset with the boomlet stretched out over the fiddle rather than placed in front of the mouth as you would do for a singer or speaker. This is especially good as it lets the player handle the instrument completely naturally with no cord or other impediment hooked to the fiddle.
 
Re: Micing a violin

For me the answer is, it depends. I know you said violin but, is this a bluegrass/folk style or 4 piece chamber/orchestra style? If it is a fiddle style the next question is will they sing? If BG and they will sing I have had great luck with a SM58 on a boom stand, ball over bridge pointing down at the fiddle so they can play and sing.

If they just play then an SDC as has been suggested works well. I have also used a AKG414, 214 and C3000B. Best place to start is pick the brain of the artist and see what they have used in the past.

For violin as was suggested, over the shoulder from the rear and close to the bridge,
 
Re: Micing a violin

never ever attach anything to the body of the instrument or the bridge. a 1mm move in the bridge changes the instrument quite a lot and screwing up the body... that could get expensive. I always attach the clip on to the strings below the bridge and above the tailpiece. works well for me. sometimes I add masking tape around 3 strings if the mic doesnt want to clip securely enough. strings are relatively cheap to replace. In your case, the sdc on a solo performer will work just fine.

Brian Frost
 
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