9 Best Microphones for Violin Recording

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9 Best Microphones for Violin Recording

best microphone for recording violin

The most popular string instruments in classical music are the violin, one reason being because they have a very distinct sound that adds a lot to the music. But what type of microphone should you use when recording these violins?

If you want your recordings to sound perfect in your albums, it often takes quite an investment up front. Fortunately, there is no need for professional gear if you follow our easy guidelines on how different microphones can affect your overall sound!

Our Recommendations of Best Microphone for Recording Violin

Image Product Feature Price
TOP Pick
AKG Perception 220
A durable and affortable mic that’s great in picking up the low and high frequencies. Check Price
Trending
Neumann TLM 103
Good at picking the sound from the source without much of the background noise. Check Price
Trending
Sennheiser e945
Good for live performances. Great sound quality without picking up much of the background noise. Check Price
Trending
Audix OM2S
Low self noise, less sensitive to loud noise which is good for violin recording. Check Price
Trending
AKG C414 XLS
Great for studio recording. A cardioid condenser mic for hifi recordings. Check Price
Trending
Audio Technica AE2500
Affordable mic with integrated preamp, high quality and versatile. Check Price
Trending
Rode NT-5
A portable mic that has been known to handle very high gain before feedback that’s produced Check Price
Trending
AKG Perception 170
Great for live concert. High signal-to-noise ratio and a low distortion level Check Price
Trending
Shure SM 81-LC
A cardioid mic that captures wide range of frequencies, good resistant to feedback and distortion. Check Price

1.Neumann TLM 103

One of the best microphones for recording violins is Neumann TLM 103. This microphone was specifically designed to pick up the high and low frequencies in a way that many other microphones cannot. The design ensures that it can’t be overloaded by loud noises, but only take in the sound that it needs to.

This is because, compared to other microphones, the TLM 103 has much less background noise. This means that when another musician or technician makes loud noises during recording, it won’t interfere with the violin noise. The only sound it will pick up is the actual sound of the instrument being played.

It is also a cardioid microphone. This means that the TLM 103 has an increased focus on the center of it, rather than picking up sounds from everywhere. As violins are usually placed at one end of the room, this works very well for recording purposes.




2.Sennheiser e945

The Sennheiser e945 supercardioid microphone is among the best you can get right now because it gives off beautiful, natural sound quality. It has an ultra-low noise floor which means that your sound is recorded without too many background noises like traffic, laughter, and other things happening around you. The e945 also has a -14 dB pad which makes it easy to capture both high and low frequencies without introducing too much ambient noise.

The Sennheiser e 945 is a good choice for those who need microphones that they can use for live performance. This mic has a hypercardioid pickup pattern which makes it easy to focus on the sound that comes from just one source and ignore everything else. It also has an extremely high maximum SPL level of 140 dB so whenever something very loud comes in, it won’t be distorted.

One thing that you might like about the e945 is its metal construction which means that this microphone can really take a beating and will still last for many more years to come. Plus, this mic is pretty affordable and will not leave your pockets empty if you plan on purchasing more than one.




3. Audix OM2S

The OM2S is one of the best microphones for recording violin. It has a low sensitivity which means it will easily pick up high frequencies without being too sensitive to loud noises. The OM2S also does not have much self-noise, so it’s perfect for recording instruments in louder environments.

The OM2S is a great choice for recording violin because it has a wide dynamic range which allows the ability to record both high and low frequencies. Its cardioid polar pattern also makes it so you can easily pick up high frequencies without too much leakage of sound from other sources.

Overall, the OM2S is one of the best microphones for recording violin because of its wide dynamic range and low sensitivity. Since the OM2S has such a high maximum sound pressure level, it can easily handle loud instruments like violin.




4. AKG Perception 220

Cardioid condenser mics have their place in the world of classical music because they can easily pick up both high and low frequencies without being too sensitive to loud noises.

The AKG Perception 220 is one example of a cardioid condenser mic that does an excellent job of recording violins because it can pick up high and low frequencies without being too sensitive to loud noises; making it the perfect choice for classical music.

The modern design of this microphone makes it perfect for stage use, and its durability means that you won’t have to worry about breaking it or wearing it down. It also comes with a tripod desk stand, which saves plenty of space on your set.

The AKG Perception 220 is a great choice if you want to record violin and other classical instruments because it can pick up the full range of frequencies while maintaining clarity. Its affordable price also makes it an easy decision for musicians on a budget.




5. AKG C 414 XLS

One popular microphone for recording solos is the AKG C 414 XLS. The reason this mic is so popular is because it doesn’t have a large picking radius, so it’s perfect for getting close to the violinist while still being able to pick up everything in the sound spectrum. It also has an easily adjustable filter so you can change how much low or high end you want in your recording.

AKG C414 XLS is a cardioid condenser microphone that is meant for high-fidelity recordings. It has a large diaphragm and a 2″ voice coil. This microphone also requires phantom power to run which is why it’s not as good for live performances because the sound quality could be better.

In order to use this microphone best, you should adjust the pickup pattern to figure out what suits your needs best. This works best with solo violinists because it is able to get a lot more detail in the sound.




6. Audio-Technica AE2500

Another popular microphone for this type of application is the Audio-Technica AE2500. This mic is much more affordable than the C 414, but it’s still high quality and versatile. The reason this mic works better than some other options is because you can adjust how close or far away your source is to avoid sounds like breathing, which can be difficult if the microphone is too close to the mouth.

The AE2500 has an easily adjustable filter so you can pick out what frequencies you want in your recording, and it also works on other sound sources like drums or acoustic guitars. It’s a bit more sensitive than the 414 so it would work better in live performances or in high action settings where there is a lot of movement and sound that may interfere with the recording process. This mic also works reasonably well in studio settings as well.

This microphone has a diaphragm that is 1.0 inches in size, which helps it pick up on the high range frequencies of violins. This also makes it perfect for recording vocals, because most singers have higher pitched voices than regular speaking voices. The mic is also very sensitive to sound pressure levels, which are the loud noises that are picked up from the beginning of a recording to the end.

This helps because you will have a better understanding of what is being recorded without hearing too much background noise. The microphone also has an integrated preamp and an XLR connector, making it very easy to use as well as install in most studios. The Audio-Technica AE2500 is an all around great microphone that you can use for many different instruments.




7. Rode NT5

What I like about the Rode NT5 is that its design really fits my needs. It’s compact, it’s durable and it’s versatile enough to suit many different kinds of recording situations. The only downside to this mic is that you need a preamp with phantom power in order to make full use of its potential; without one, the sound quality won’t be nearly as good.

The Rode NT5 has a cardioid polar pattern which means that it will pick up sounds coming from directly in front of it better than sounds coming from other directions. This is perfect for when I’m recording string players positioned in front of the microphone because they will be louder than anything else that can get into the microphone .

This mic also has a wide range in the gain before feedback that is produced. In this area, it is better than most other microphones that are on the market today. The sensitivity level is one of the main things that people look for in a microphone when they’re trying to buy one.

In addition, this microphone does not have any coloration or distortion at high volumes levels. It has also been known to handle very high gain before feedback that’s produced. This can be a real advantage for many people who use them.

The NT5 is also capable of recording without causing any distortion in the final mix. This makes it ideal for those who are creating their own works and want to avoid using additional effects, such as noise reduction.

In general, this microphone is great for recording violin both in the studio and when you’re playing live with other instruments. The main reason that it’s so popular is that it can easily pick up both high and low frequencies without being too sensitive to loud noises.




8. AKG Perception 170

The AKG Perception 170 is a stereo mic that is used for recording audio in a variety of applications. One application it works great is to capture the sound of a live concert accurately. This mic captures an 180 degree field from the instrument with no interference from feedback, external noise or proximity effect. The AKG Perception 170 also has a high signal-to-noise ratio and a low distortion level.

A cardioid condenser microphone can be used to record violins with ease because it has two main characteristics that make it suitable for this job: its ability to pick up both low and high frequencies without being too sensitive to loud noises, and its wide range – picking up an area of up to 180 degrees with no interference from feedback, external noise or proximity effect. The AKG Perception 170 is a great example of such a mic and can be used to record violins with ease.

Paying close attention to the volume levels when recording with this microphone is necessary because there are many variables that can affect them, including if the musician is loud or soft. If the musician plays softly, the sound will be muffled. If this happens, turn up the volume and adjust it until it is just right. It is also important to consider that some mics can record better than others.

The AKG Perception 170 contains an on/off switch on the mic itself. This makes switching on and off very easy for anyone who is using it because you don’t need to search for an extra switch or plug.

What’s necessary for this type of microphone is to simply place the mic in front of the violin and turn it on. This can be done by attaching a clip to attach it to the musician’s shirt, to her instrument, or wherever she prefers.

It should be placed as close to the violin as possible and pointing at its center. The best way to test that it is picking up the sound correctly is by playing a note and seeing if you can read the volume levels properly on your equipment.

The AKG Perception 170 has an approximate price of $100 which makes it relatively affordable for those who wish to record with it.




9. Shure SM81-LC

The Shure SM81 is a popular microphone that is best suited for recording violins, among other instruments. It can be found in sound studios and in live performances. The mic has a cardioid polar pattern that captures both high and low frequencies and is resistant to feedback and distortion. It is also easy to use when there are lots of other sounds in the background, such as in a live performance.

The frequency response of the microphone is 30Hz-20kHz and it has an impedance of between 300 and 600 ohms. It has a high max SPL of 152dB. The mic comes with an integral shockmount, which helps avoid mechanical noise and vibration, and it can be used in any position or orientation. So why is this one of the best microphones for recording violin?

The Shure SM81-LC delivers exceptional sound quality while still being relatively affordable. It provides clear, deep sound that can be relied on to deliver stunning results. The microphone is also very durable and versatile. It can handle high sound pressure levels without being distorted or damaged, so it is perfect for the loud environment of a live performance. Since it has a cardioid polar pattern you won’t have to worry about other instruments interfering with your recording.




Things to consider when buying a mic for violin recording

The first thing to consider when buying a mic for violin recording is the placement of the microphone. A microphone should be situated at a distance of 10-12 inches from the instrument if it’s going to record more than one violins. This will give a good balance between volume and tone quality.

The second thing to consider is the acoustic properties of the room where you will be recording. If you can minimize reflections in the room, you will have more control over how your recorded sound sounds.

The third thing to think about is what type of microphones you need. You can either get a large diaphragm condenser, a small diaphragm condenser, or a tube microphone. All three of these mics provide a bright tone.

The fourth thing to think about is the clip-on mics that are available for violins. These attach right over the strings and can be useful if you want to have a less-permanent set up, but they don’t provide great quality sound.

What’s Next?

If you are looking for the best microphones to record violins, then it is important to know the specific sound that these instruments produce. Violin music can be very sensitive and require a microphone with low noise sensitivity so as not to pick up all of the other sounds in your environment.

A good type of mic for this job would be a cardioid condenser mic because they have high frequency response without being too directional or sensitive to loud noises. These types of mics will allow you to capture clear audio while also avoiding any unnecessary background noise when recording classical violin pieces. So which one do you think is better – dynamic, condenser, ribbon? Let us know in the comments below!

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AUTHOR

Javen Yap is a music composer, producer and content creator from Malaysia. He has been making music for 10 plus years and is still passionate about it. He set up Good Noise to share all the tips and knowledge he has picked up along the way, and to help as many musicians as he can.
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2 thoughts on “9 Best Microphones for Violin Recording”

  1. Hi, thank you for your review, it is very helpful. What about Rode NT2-A? Is it good for the violin as well or rather recommended for vocals than the violin and other instruments like a classical and acoustic guitar? Thank you

    Reply
    • Hi Valdek, the Rode NT2-A could be a great mic for recording violin, no worries if you already gotten yourself a NT2A, you will hardly go wrong with a mic that’s good for vocal recording when it comes to recording violins, because they are in the similar frequency range. The 3 different polar pattern on the mic makes it easily adapt to any recording situation in the studio as well.
      There are many more great mics on the market, we can’t include all of them on the list but If we were to hand pick a few to put on a list, above are what we would introduce you to have a look at. Hope you find it helpful! Cheers 🙂

      Reply

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