Steve Albini highlights the nuances of recording a violin with Susan Voelz at Electrical Audio studio, focusing on microphone selection for capturing a natural sound.
He explains the importance of a smooth high-frequency response and compares two microphones: the Lomo 1918, a tube condenser, and the STC 4038, a ribbon mic. The Lomo offers detailed precision, while the STC 4038 provides a softer, smoother tone.
Albini also demonstrates isolation techniques, such as using a lavalier microphone attached to the violin. This setup can help achieve good isolation in ensemble settings, emphasizing the balance between capturing natural tone and managing instrument bleed.