Did you ever hear the story about the recording engineer who had time to try out several different microphones to hear which they likes the best? Yes I know, it’s a fairy story. In these days of modern budgets and time constraints we tend to go with what we know works. There is very rarely time to experiment and try out new gear and new ideas. However, when you have a string quartet on hand to help you out from time to time, one does get the opportunity to “have a play” and see what works.

Audio Technica Microphones

In this final look at my recent session with The Elite String Quartet, I decided to swap mics once again and go for a selection from Audio Technica. Many of these mics were used in my recording of the Nation Children’s Choir of Great Britain back in August 2018 so I already know they sound great in the studio and live but I like the idea of trying different mics on new instruments and testing out some new recording techniques and having already tried a full set of Sontronics ribbon mics to give me a rich silky tone and a set of mics From Vanguard Audio Labs to give me a bright poppy string sound I wanted to try a set of what might be called conventional mics.

Violin 1 & 2

I decided to use the dual diaphragm Audio Technica AT4047/SV fixed cardioid mic over the Violins. These mics feature a transformer in the output stage and we know that transformers impart a nice tonality and can tame any harshness. The AT407/SV almost sounds like one of those vintage F.E.T. mics, all warm and lovely. Sounds like a good fit for a violin to me.

Viola & Cello

Sadly I didn’t have four AT4047 mics to hand but I did have a pair of what I consider to be some of the ultimate work-horse mics the Audio Technica AT4050. The AT4050 is a fantastic all rounder and in my opinion at least superior to the AKG C414 (Sorry Dan). The AT4050 is a multi pattern mic but in some ways it is very much like the 4047 just without the transformer when in it’s cardioid mode. So the AT4050 goes over both the Viola and the Cello.

Stereo Room Mics In Blumlein Configuration

I think the recording technique I have experimented most with in the last year or so is stereo room mics and different stereo recording techniques. I decided to use a pair of AT4081 active ribbons mics which I love on acoustic guitars as my room mics set in a Blumlein array. The AT4081 is a proper figure of 8 ribbon mic so in pairs at 90 degrees to each other and a 45 degrees to the sound stage they make a great choice fo this style of stereo recording.

Audio Examples

Below you can find three different audio examples of the piece Four Tango Postcards - No4 by Benedikt Brydern. The first example is the 4 close mics only. Then we hear only the 2 AT4081 ribbon mics in Blumlein configuration. Finally you hear the full mix of all 6 mics. It is still worth noting that none of these mixes have an extra EQ or Dynamics processing on them. They are the “naked” tracks as captured on the day.

Results

We managed to cram a great deal of recording into a single day on location and I believe the three different set of mics we used gave us three very different flavours. The Sontronics ribbons provided a smooth, yet dark tone. The Vanguard mics offered a very modern almost bright sound and for me the Audio Technica mics are giving a good balanced sound. There is plenty of top end clarity and bite with just a hint of “old school” vibe. Now, you could say that comes from mixing ribbons and condensers, which is something I didn’t do in the other mic sets, and that is true, but even the close mics audio file in this article does have the qualities I mention above. The AT mics offer a really good all round sound. Not overly characterful but full of body and tone. What more can you ask from a microphone?

I’m hoping to be recording more of this kind of “multi-use” session in 2019 so please let me know if there are any techniques you would specifically like me to try out or gear you would like me to get my hands on to record with in the comments section below. After all, we do these experiments so you don’t have to. I’m sure I heard that on TV once!