Abbey Road Two - What is that sound?

PaulLowden

Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a lot of difficulty with the sound of the violins in Abbey Road Two. Or rather, the high pitched "noise" - almost a whistling - that seems to accompany the upper registers of the two violins when playing longs or legato. What is that? Is it supposed to be there? I don't hear it on individual violin instances of BBC SO (Pro) or other libraries that I have. Is it just a function of the smaller ensemble, the recording techniques, the microphones, the space? Sorry, but it's awful.

Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Angus

@PaulLowden I see, yes that would be the natural noise that occurs when playing in the higher register (strings are much tighter, and therefore more rosin noise is present). We choose to leave this in, because if it was taken out, it would dramatically affect the brightness of the overall tone.

Angus

Hi @PaulLowden

Do you have a link/ timestamp to the example?

PaulLowden

Hi, Angus

It isn't really a specific example. But here's one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFsJwXFI2bM&t=370s

At about 6:10, Paul uses the violin one in legato. You can distinctly hear a high whistling sound which is apart from the sound of the violin. [It is also noticeable, although not as much, as he is playing the viola just earlier in that section.

Thanks

Paul

PaulLowden

Thank you very much, Angus. I appreciate your taking the time to address my question.

All the best

Paul