The rule of thumb with most modern acoustic recording is to record dry, and add reverb later. Where will you be recording cello? The instrument may play by slightly different rules than you expect. Miking the Cello for Recording Recording Space Whether you are at home, in a recording studio, or in a live setting, you can help bring the beauty of cello playing to life. What sound are you aiming for, and how do you bring that out most effectively. They respond well to fairly simple mic technique. That said, cellos (and other bowed string instruments) are not extremely fussy. If you are tasked with miking a cello player, you face a heavy task. While it is often used in emotionally touching settings, it can just as easily be played in a tense, gritty manner check out the soundtrack from the 1966 version of Farenheit 451 or the arrangement in Eleanor Rigby. It can just as easily settle into a classical piece as pop, soul, or even hardcore skate punk. The violoncello, as it is properly known, is noteworthy for its emotional range. Trombone, bassoon, vocalist- nothing would sound so beautiful performing the cello’s definitive melody. It has the lyrical expression and agility of the violin, in a baritone playing range. Its tone is among the most gorgeous and evocative of any instrument.
