Any tips on recording a middle eastern lute (oud)?

[Cedar]

I have a session coming up where I will be recording a oud player solo in a studio. ANy mic selection tips and placement techniques? The oud is a very delicate instrument to mic as it is very quiet. I've had a very hard time micing ouds for live performances as the mics feed with a hardly usable spl. Here are some mics that the studio where I will be doing the recording has: AKG 414, older Sony 535, Groove Tubes 62. I can also borrow an older B&K and Schoepps (can't remember the models). They have the following pres: Aphex 1100, Avalon 737, Amex 9098, Joe Meek VC1, Presonus MX80. Thanks.

[Piotr]

I've only seen one miked up at the WOMAD festival in Redmond, WA. And that was with a 57!!!

The diaphram was a foot off the f-hole, although in a studio environment it may be desirable to move even a little further back. It's not a quiet instrument per se, although a delicate sound...you could probably get away with no compression.
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Piotr

piotr@thebarkmarket.com

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Thomas Aquinas

[Sheep in Punk Clothing]

When I was in school I had recorded a friend playing with a 58 and it came out pretty good..I might try the Schoeps with the Avalon first..I dunno, sounded good in a liveish room..good luck..
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[sunsetyellow]

Hmmm. I've got a Cuban Laoud which is similar (see Buena Vista's Barbarito Torres) I think. I try and mic south of the bridge (bottom-left if you're looking at the player) to pick up the soundboard vibrating, which gives a nice woody tone. I generally try and treat it like a parlour acoustic.

As far as mics and pre's go I've used a SM58 and a C12A and they were good, but as far as the models you mention are concerned I haven't got a clue! Sorry!
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[Ronan]

I just got home from my studio where I was mixing an Oud that I recorded a couple days ago. (Womad alum Tony Levin played bass on the record). I have recorded Ouds and also in Malaysia have recorded the Gambus which is almost identical.

The Oud is actually a pretty easy instrument to record because it does not have a big dynamic range and the sound source is pretty broad with the large soft sound board. I usually mic the Oud mono as its usually part of a group record, in that case I would borrow that B&K and use the avalon or Amek pre amps and that should be about it. Even the Cardiod B&Ks have a wide patterns so it will capture the sound of the whole instrument with a lot of detail. Start about one foot off the sound board over the sound hole and adjust to taste. How close or far away from the instrument depends on the sound of your room and the sound you are going for. If it is a good instrument and player you should not need any EQ. Keep your signal path simple and your tracks should sound beautiful. Good Luck

[AGCurry]

I'd start just like an acoustic guitar - 2 SD condensors in X/Y, about 2 feet away. Really, any approach that you like for acoustic guitar or mandolin should be fine.

[Rigsby]

Just been looking through the 'best of' section and thought i'd add to this as i've been recording a fair bit of Oud over the last year or so. We've tried quite a few mics and positions, and the 451 came out with the clearest, most defined sound, actually kicks the 414, though we use the omni setting on the 414 for solo oud stuff sometimes in conjunction with the 451 pointing at the bridge. 57s and the like just don't capture the full tone of the instrument. For my ear the 451's almost perfect for the Oud.
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[Piotr]

Do you find the 414s to be a little dry? There must be a lot of plectrum noise versus string pitch.
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Yours,

Piotr

piotr@thebarkmarket.com

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Thomas Aquinas

[ubertar]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned ribbons yet. I play oud and my Amperite ribbon catches the rich fullness of the midrange and bass, but any ribbon would probably do the same. Mix in a condenser if you want some added clarity. If you want to try a dynamic, EV 664 is surprisingly good, and an underrated mic in general, IMO.
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[Piotr]

That's a goddamn fine idea ubertar

For most stringed instruments I use my Lawson, but it's solid state as well. I have always found 414s to be too brash for a lot of things unless they are brash instruments, ie voice, horns, drums........
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Yours,

Piotr

piotr@thebarkmarket.com

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Thomas Aquinas

[apropos of nothing]

Stereo condenser mic of whatever variety.
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[Piotr]

How about a C24? That's one of my all time fantasy mic locker choices...
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Yours,

Piotr

piotr@thebarkmarket.com

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Thomas Aquinas