Recording a string quartet - how many mic?

[gonglee]

Can I use only one condenser mic like Neumann U87 to do the job, or if I don't want to adjust the volume on separate ch, I can just place one in the middle?

What is the proper distance?

Some say as much as a foot - some closer for a focused sound.

Any voice of experience out there?

Thanks in advance.

[sdemott]

2 or 4 mics.

Start with a stereo pair a few feet in front of the quartet. You can use any kind of stereo pairing you're comfortable with (XY, MS, ORTF). I would avoid spaced omnis for this small an ensemble. Adjust the spacing (up/down, back/forward) until the balance is good. You can also add 2 omnis flanked to either side and back in the room for ambience (natural reverb and all). Mixing this in later with the main stereo pair adds a sense of depth & dimension.

My favorite setup for classical work (which I do a ton of) is an ORTF pair with flanked omnis. Very occasionally I will use accent mics for soloists or an instrument that isn't coming through, but very rarely. I take the "less is more" approach to classical recording.

Keep in mind that violins/violas tend to radiate their sound upwards. If you get the mics too high they will sound harsh.

If you have the funds (or access to great mics): use either a pair of DPA or Schoeps cardiods for the stereo mic pair and a pair of the Earthworks omnis for the ambience mics. And a real clean pre wouldn't hurt.

[Cammo2009]

Excuse my ignorance but what does ORTF mean??

[Gunnar Hellquist]

I recommend doing a google search on "ORTF microphone technique". This will give a wealth of information links. One of the links is this

http://recordinglair.com/record/location/micplace.htm

and it says about ORTF

>> The French Radio Organization developed this technique. A high quality, matched pair of cardioid condenser microphones are placed 17 cm apart at an angle of 110 degrees. The distance from the ensemble will determine the amount of room reverberation - further away from the ensemble will have more reverb and closer placement will have less room sound. A good starting placement would be approximately 7 feet away and 9 feet up. <<

ORTF to me is the first setup I try for all ensemble recordings as it gives, in my ears, a nice stereo picture that works well both in headphones and speakers. Not always so good if you "mono" the signal, at some distances and some frequencys monoing (ie simply summing) the two channels may give a prominent comb effect. If mono compatibility is a requisity, I would probably select antother setup.

But do go on and read a lot about the great people that has been around before us. There are quite a few techniques that great minds (and ears) has selected as their favourites.

Gunnar Hellquist