History of stringed musical instruments began in the 15th century, when viols (tenor, bass, alto, treble) appeared in Europe. In the 16th and 17th centuries, violins, cellos, and double basses became widespread in Italy.
In general, the ancestors of stringed instruments can be considered the lyre, fidel, kifara. Currently, the instruments are divided into two types: plucked and bowed strings. What is their difference?
Bowed musical instruments give a large sound range at the output, and in plucked instruments, playing helps to get sounds that differ by a semitone. In addition, frets on the fingerboard are located in the plucked instruments. These are the divisions that separate some sounds from others.
Stringed bowed instruments include:
-Violoncello
-Bass
-Violin
-Alt
Let's analyze how to properly record stringed musical instruments using Oktava microphones on the example of cello and violin.
Let's start with the fact that when the performer holds the bow across the strings, then there are different vibrations, mainly transverse. They form the audio signal of main tone and its overtones. Also, when playing stringed musical instruments, longitudinal vibrations appear, which are more often called “rosin". These fluctuations harm the signal, as they are incommensurable with the height of extracted tone. Radiation of all stringed bowed instruments is directed.
Violin
In order to record a violin, you need to know the technical features of instrument. Firstly, the dynamic range of violin is 40 dB. Secondly, the highest frequency of main tone is 4 kHz, and the lowest is 196 Hz, which corresponds to the sol note of a small octave. Violin is considered to be the highest sounding instrument, one of the most expressive among the violin family. During playing, different feelings arise: sadness, longing, hope, solemnity.
To record a solo violin, it is best to use two microphones, which must be installed at a distance of 15 cm from each other and from 1.5 to 2.5 meters from the instrument itself. In height, it is better to place recording devices slightly above the instrument, or at the same level with it.
Since a violinist performing a composition in solo can move a lot, it is not recommended to put microphones closer than 20 cm. When choosing a microphone, you need to focus on the cardiod or circular directional polar pattern. Most often, the type of eight sounds sharper and tougher than necessary. Among the Oktava microphones, the following devices are ideal for recording a violin: condenser MK-012-02, MK-012-01. Microphones conduct high-quality sound transmission in the range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The devices are used for recording solo musical instruments, as well as for sounding orchestras, concerts, theatrical and entertainment events.
Violoncello
The sound directly depends on the quality of instrument itself. To record a good sound, you need to monitor the frequency balance. We have already talked about such a feature of bowed instruments as rosin, when strings knock on fingerboard and an unpleasant sharpness occurs. If there are not enough frequency heights, then the output sound is sluggish, heavy.
Dynamic range of violoncello is 35 dB, the highest note reaches 8 kHz, and the lowest reaches 65 Hz. The flight of sound is achieved when playing the violoncello at the expense of formants. This is a group of amplified overtones that form a specific timbre of the performer's voice or a musical instrument. The cello has three formant regions (300 Hz, 500 Hz and 1.5 kHz).
Microphones are best placed at a distance of 30 cm. It's not worth getting closer, so as not to increase the amount of noise. You can get rid of rosin if you put wind protection on the microphones. During the recording of modern compositions, the performer can play the cello behind the stand or perform pizzicato with his left hand. Then the recording device can be installed below the level of the pad. The Oktava MK-103 and MK-104 microphones will cope with their tasks. Studio condenser cardioid microphones.
Devices transmit high frequencies in detail, while maintaining even frequency characteristics inherent in large membrane capsules.
Plucked stringed musical instruments include:
-Balalaika
-Banjo
-Guitar
-Lute
Let's consider the principle of recording plucked stringed instruments on example of balalaika and banjo.
Balalaika
Balalaika has a not very pronounced formant — from 400 to 500 Hz. A parametric filter will help to make the sound more voluminous and strong. But you need to be careful, because if you raise the formant too much, you will hear the knocking of your fingers on the strings.
Recording devices must be placed at a distance of 60 cm from balalaika. Microphones should be directed to the bottom of soundboard. If you are recording as a duet, it is better to use a stereo microphone at an angle of 120 degrees. The musicians should be half-turned to each other.
Banjo
This is a plucked musical instrument with a number of strings from 4 to 6. A banjo is, in fact, a kind of guitar or lute. If you characterize the sound of banjo, it seems that it is the sound of a tin can, rattling. It turns out that performers always strive for such a sound in order to achieve the original sound of a "drum guitar" in their performance.
Which Oktava microphones are suitable for recording plucked stringed musical instruments? MK-101, MK-117, MK-115 are studio condenser microphones with cardioid polar pattern. Operating range of recording devices is 20-20000 Hz. Models are presented in black, as well as silver-white.