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Accordion and synth, microphones?
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Accordion and synth, microphones?
Yet another session tomorrow, accordion, and me on synth.
I'm going to use one Sennhieser MKH40 on the accordion, and a Beyer M201 on the synth cab, both in mono. We are, as usual, in the same room, improvising, playing all in one take.
The other mic's I have are an MKH30, and SM57/58, I'm wondering about options, I just want a bit of a chance to balance the two instruments after the event.
I don't want to DI the synth, as the position of the monitors in our rooom makes direct listening a pain, the monitors are just in the wrong place for live playing.
I'm not too worried about this session, I may actually just use the built-in mic's on my Tascam DR100, could be interesting, I was also thinking of rigging an M+S pair, for both things, but that sounded awful last time, way too much room, even fairly close, and no option to balance levels later.
Just interested in how other folks may approach this informal jam.
I'm going to use one Sennhieser MKH40 on the accordion, and a Beyer M201 on the synth cab, both in mono. We are, as usual, in the same room, improvising, playing all in one take.
The other mic's I have are an MKH30, and SM57/58, I'm wondering about options, I just want a bit of a chance to balance the two instruments after the event.
I don't want to DI the synth, as the position of the monitors in our rooom makes direct listening a pain, the monitors are just in the wrong place for live playing.
I'm not too worried about this session, I may actually just use the built-in mic's on my Tascam DR100, could be interesting, I was also thinking of rigging an M+S pair, for both things, but that sounded awful last time, way too much room, even fairly close, and no option to balance levels later.
Just interested in how other folks may approach this informal jam.
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Arpangel - Frequent Poster
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
That doesn't stop you DI-ing. Why not just split to your monitoring amp from, say an aux send?Arpangel wrote:I don't want to DI the synth, as the position of the monitors in our rooom makes direct listening a pain
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The Elf - Jedi Poster
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An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Yep, I’d take a DI off the synth and use minimal monitoring to improve spill into the accordion mics. If the accordionist is playing both left and right hands you’d need two mics on that - I’ve sometimes used three (two on the right hand). Cardioid or hypercardioid a preference, but the MKH30 would be old if you need to use its nulls to attenuate spill.
Bob
Bob
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Bob Bickerton - Frequent Poster (Level2)
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Miking both ends of the accordion can work but you sometimes end up with a weirdly disjointed sound, as though they were two separate instruments. Depending on the instrument you can sometimes pick up a lot of distracting button noise that way too. I often prefer the slightly mellower sound you get from a single mic or coincident pair in front of the instrument. Not sure I'd want to use a hypercardioid like the 201 in that role though, you'd want something with a wider pickup pattern.
- Sam Inglis
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Sometimes I think you just pose these crazy problems just to wind us up!
"I've got a 1950s hearing aid valve, a length of wire and a clockwork gramophone. I have to record nine-foot nun singing selections from Gilbert and Sullivan. Any suggestions?"
"I've got a 1950s hearing aid valve, a length of wire and a clockwork gramophone. I have to record nine-foot nun singing selections from Gilbert and Sullivan. Any suggestions?"
- The Red Bladder
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
The Red Bladder wrote:Sometimes I think you just pose these crazy problems just to wind us up!
"I've got a 1950s hearing aid valve, a length of wire and a clockwork gramophone. I have to record nine-foot nun singing selections from Gilbert and Sullivan. Any suggestions?"
:bouncy:
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John Willett - Jedi Poster
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John
Sound-Link ProAudio
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Sound-Link ProAudio
Circle Sound Services
Sound-Link are UK Distributors for: Microtech Gefell, ME-Geithain, AETA, HUM, Håkan, Meyer Turtle
Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
The Red Bladder wrote:Sometimes I think you just pose these crazy problems just to wind us up!
"I've got a 1950s hearing aid valve, a length of wire and a clockwork gramophone. I have to record nine-foot nun singing selections from Gilbert and Sullivan. Any suggestions?"
Cheers Bladd, the trouble with my posts is.....they are sadly true!
You can hear all of this stuff, it's up there on SoundCloud, loads of it, I'll,post a link when I've got permission from the accordion.
:)
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Arpangel - Frequent Poster
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
What - even the nine-foot nun??? Good heavens!
(If you are planning on bringing her up here, I get an extension built onto the guest room!)
(If you are planning on bringing her up here, I get an extension built onto the guest room!)
- The Red Bladder
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
The Red Bladder wrote:What - even the nine-foot nun??? Good heavens!
(If you are planning on bringing her up here, I get an extension built onto the guest room!)
I'm still working on a roof rack for the TVR, to take the marimba?.. :)
Trouble is, I've got to figure out how to put caterpillar tracks on a Griffith, to get down your drive....
:D
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Arpangel - Frequent Poster
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Those holes had to be imported by the local tourist board.
- The Red Bladder
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
The Red Bladder wrote:Those holes had to be imported by the local tourist board.
Have you got a trailer?
:D
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Arpangel - Frequent Poster
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Just set-up the mic, I've decided on the MKH30, with the null facing my monitors, to cut down on synth spill, I'm not using the keyboard amp, I'm going to DI as suggested.
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Arpangel - Frequent Poster
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Success, used an SM57 on the accordion, sounded perfect to me, just "right" unlike the MKH30, too edgy. Love the MKH, but not in this situation.
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Arpangel - Frequent Poster
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Ah yes, the SM57 on accordion, perfect synergy - both make excellent door stops!
Bob
Bob
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Bob Bickerton - Frequent Poster (Level2)
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
:bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy:
It's hard to knock nails in with an accordion though
It's hard to knock nails in with an accordion though
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Sam Spoons - Jedi Poster
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Finally taking this recording lark seriously (and recording my Gypsy Jazz CD)........
Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
But it's a joy trying! ;) :lol:Sam Spoons wrote::bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy:
It's hard to knock nails in with an accordion though
Apologies to Concertina Chap!
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The Elf - Jedi Poster
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An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Bob Bickerton wrote:Ah yes, the SM57 on accordion, perfect synergy - both make excellent door stops!
Bob
Truly, the 57 sounds great with accordion, in fact, a 57 sounds good on a lot of things, but for accordion it sounds very natural, I think because of its restricted top end, it's not edgy.
The 57 is a bit like an MD421, without the pedigree.
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Arpangel - Frequent Poster
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Bob Bickerton wrote:Ah yes, the SM57 on accordion, perfect synergy - both make excellent door stops!
Bob
Why you little...!!
Dermot Byrne likes a '58 live and plays to the mic with some skill.
Re polar patterns - should differentiate between piano accordions the size of small (?) wardrobes and the tiny tasteful (?) button accordions more associated with Irish trad.
- shufflebeat
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
It was a joke........ but having said that, whilst the 57 is a competent microphone, I nearly always select an M201 in preference.
Bob
Bob
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Bob Bickerton - Frequent Poster (Level2)
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Re: Accordion and synth, microphones?
Bob Bickerton wrote:It was a joke........ but having said that, whilst the 57 is a competent microphone, I nearly always select an M201 in preference.
Bob
We didn't have time to try the 201, I'll do it next time. By the way, this is a smallish keyboard accordion.
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Arpangel - Frequent Poster
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