recording accordion

[honkytonk]

trying to record an accordion part, here's the lowdown:the
accordion is medium-size, i think 32 bass accordion, and i've
tried using a 57 on the side to capture more of the bass
but i keep getting a more shrill tone than i want (which
i thought the 57 would round out). any suggestions on good
accordion recording methods that sound present without sounding
to trebly? thanks.

[jayrope]

yes, if it not for live, then you might wanna try out any large condenser mike liek a neumann u87 on the bass side for instance or a soundeluxe u195. that#ll give it body

[Bear]

I had a similar problem recording accordian. Here was my solution.

Used a rode nt1 (also used some oktavas with good results), pointed it at the center/back of the accoridian (where the chord buttons are), EQed some of the highs out and then compressed it a wee bit. Sounded good to my ears.

[toothpastefordinner]

I don't know what your recording situation is... hopefully not recording an accordion live... but I have had a reasonable amount of success just putting a small-diaphragm condenser on it (Tape op DIY mic or MK012) and backing off a couple of feet. Too close to the mic and I would always get that "wheezy" sound I hate.


drew
toothpastefordinner.com

[lobstman]

With accordions, you get very different sounds out of each side of the instrument- high end out of the "buttons" side, and low end from the other side. You can mic each side and blend to taste, but phase problems will be hell because the damn thing moves as it's played. The other solution is to put up a single mic or XY pair a couple feet out in the room, and move it in an arc depending on whic side of the instrument you want more of.

[joel hamilton]

I just used a pair of earthworks in a smallish, carpeted room and it was cool.

I used a 4050 once, aiming at the players neck, like an OH sort of.

I have also recorded accordion and concertina with
a u87 with the windscreen on aiming down at the center of the instrument.

I hate the sound of the accordion at the ends of the instrument, it always sounds like a screaming harmonica/harmonium.

Mic'ing the middle has always been a good way to make it "sit."

[trodden]

like the technique mentioned in the previous post, The only time i've recorded an accordian I mic'ed both sides with a pair of 414's. It sounded good to me, however i cannot remember what i did with the two mics in relation to each other in the mix. It was a couple of years ago, and i've not recorded one since. I was pretty new at recording then, so i'm not sure if i even checked phase issues and such. sounded good though!

[inverseroom]

I had great results with a 414, too.

[rockstarfactory]

As an accordion player, and a pretty experienced recordist, here's what works well for me. I've found that the instrument sounds very "reduced" if it's not recorded in stereo.

When my band recorded at Jackpot (thanks, Larry!), I stood about a foot and a half away from a very odd new stereo mic (don't remember what it was, Larry had just gotten it--it might have even been its recording debut. . .). Any closer than that and the proximity effect kicked in, and any farther than that and it sounded thin.

If you're the engineer, make sure the player moves as little as possible, too. That made a huge difference. The mic was so sensitive that even the littlest movement changed the sound tremendously, especially in the lower frequencies. The change in high frequencies sounds cool. . .it just sounds like the reeds do. The low frequencies create mud real quickly. Nice to minimize those changes, so it's easier to mix later.

Anyway, just doing what I can to add to this great resource.

--todd

[honkytonk]

thanks alot for all your suggestions, recording away from the sides
has made a big difference, as has using a condenser mic, but still
questing for the perfect sound!

[scarygroover]

I third the motion for the 414. about two to three feet away, in front and a little above the accordian pointing slightly down. That and a little Manley compresssion. easy. I did this a week ago. sounded lovely.

[wardshorsehead]

my wife plays accordion and melodeon (button box), and i dabble (mostly right hand).

like joel, i'm not that excited about the sounds of miking each end, the right side can get pretty brash.

i like a ld condenser about a foot or so out from the center. i've actually had good results with a 421 on the melodeon (it tames the shrill a bit) in the same position.

then again, i like the accordion to sit in the mix a little deeper. for me it is generally there more as a texure. if i was going after a soloed sound, i would probably go for the stereo approach.

frank

[jayrope]

maybe a lil lame but i just found audioasylum.com and this lil thread about recording accordion:

http://www.AudioAsylum.com/forums/pro/m ... /6334.html

to cut th enot much longer story short: the guy recommends:
"A matched pair of Magnum 45's should work!"

Magnum 45 then, what are these exactly?

[jajjguy]

I recorded one once, and i just did what the player suggested: miced both sides with a pair of C1000s. Sounded good, not harsh, but this was a sweet sounding instrument and a very good player.

[todd aschoff]

I've been recording a cajun button accordion for a demo of my band, and a couple of problems. I had a 57, an EV 767 and the DI on it, but it was shrill and not pure in tone ( like Boozoo, steve riley et al) . also , if I get the bass side in , it sounds wickedly like over compressed pumping and breathing, which is really what it is.
I'm stuck with my recording, yes I'll do the Rode NT next time. Can I get that 57 to seem fat and up front. Digi 002 Powerbook g4.
thanks