[gareth.h.rees]

Originally Posted by Corran

That thread should be really helpful. The main question I have is how does the room sound?

Yeah, after listening to the sound clips posted, it definitely seems like I won't need half as much as I thought. Unfortunately I won't be able to get a chance to hear the room until the setup. I've attached two (horrendously small) images of the hall. They're the only ones I've been able to get.

Originally Posted by Corran

Something I've learned after a lot of wind ensemble recordings, is to be closer than you might think (at least that's my taste). Right behind the conductor if possible.

Will definitely give that a go - I did a recording of a windband at a live concert once and it did sound too distant even though the mics weren't awfully far away.

Originally Posted by Corran

I would put the omni caps on the Oktavas and space them between 40 and 60cm, about 12ft above the stage. Then move to taste and balance. Use a pair of outriggers if you need or want. If you feel like it and the room is good, maybe put a pair of your Naiants in the middle of the hall to get the reverb, and use it if you want. A lot depends on the room.

Omni's rather than ORTF? Maybe I should use the Oktavas in AB and the Beyer's in ORTF and choose which sounds better? Then a pair (or singular?) naiant over the drum kit? I'm a little concerned that as its a standard kit, it won't sound focused enough from main mics?

Originally Posted by Corran

I normally use a pair of Schoeps CMC6 with MK2S caps in AB behind the conductor, and then a pair of Earthworks outriggers sometimes, though I will be trying my new MK2 caps as outriggers next recording project.

Although I've kind of mentioned it, how would you go about having a standard drum kit and standard bass/amp? Use the mains, or spot for focus?

What do you think about the layout of the band? Should I get them to move the kit and bass towards the centre?

Cheers for the advice
Gareth