How To Mic A Cello
From time to time, I’m going to share links to articles I’m reading that you might find useful in your musical pursuits.
This one is about how to mic a cello. I’ve never recorded mine, but I was thinking about doing so tonight as I listened to Whitesnake’s ‘Still Of The Night’. I’d love to cover that track, but with real stringed instruments instead of synths.
How to Mic a Cello for Live and Recording
The cello is pure distilled elegance. Its tone is among the most gorgeous and evocative of any instrument. It has the lyrical expression and agility of the violin, in a baritone playing range. Trombone, bassoon, vocalist- nothing would sound so beautiful performing the cello’s definitive melody. The violoncello, as it is properly known, is noteworthy for its emotional range. It can just as easily settle into a classical piece as pop, soul, or even hardcore skate punk. While it is often used in emotionally touching settings, it can just as easily be played in a tense, gritty manner; check out the soundtrack from the 1966 version of Farenheit 451 or the arrangement in Eleanor Rigby.
If you are tasked with miking a cello player, you face a heavy task. There is a lot of potential to fulfill. That said, cellos (and other bowed string instruments) are not extremely fussy. They respond well to fairly simple mic technique. The biggest open question is of taste. What sound are you aiming for, and how do you bring that out most effectively. Whether you are at home, in a recording studio, or in a live setting, you can help bring the beauty of cello playing to life…
Read the rest of the article here.
And enjoy David Coverdale’s awesome vocal at the YouTube link below.