A Scratchy Fiddle...

[bigcow]

I have a very scratchy and abrasive bluegrass fiddle track (unfortunately the fiddle itself and player and not the microphone) and I'm having some difficulty warming it up. Any suggestions?

[muzak13]

the offending frequency is probably in the upper midrange 2-6khz. try cutting it and see what happens…
peace

[Will Russell]

Two thoughts:

Sometime a scratchy fiddle sound is appropriate and "authentic"

If you are going to re-record it, try using a mic above and below the fiddle, with the bottom mic out of phase, or with a single mic, aim it at the section of the fiddle top just to the right of the players chin, not at the strings or brigde.

Good luck!

[JohnT]

As a fiddle player myself I can tell you the sound gets worse the closer you are. Even Joshua Bell would sound scratchy as close as we usually set mics up. Get the mic as far away as possible without introducing unwanted room sound, loss of proximity "beef", etc.

I've also avoided condensers when I'm in a close mic situation with fiddles. Best luck lately has been with an old RCA 77d ribbon. It nicely rounds out the top end.

Jt