Recording an Accordion Orchestra!

[mherma04]

I have to record an Accordion Orchestra in a few weeks and am unsure of the best way to do it. The Orchestra is made up of 14 people, with 10 accordionists split into groups of 2 or 3 playing 4 different parts; a bass guitar player, an acoustic guitar player, a keyboard player, a drummer, an auxiliary percussionist and a vocalist (for some songs).

Having read information on recording accordions, and orchestral recording techniques, would it be best to record the accordions, bass, guitar, vocals and piano then record the drums and percussion later, all in a studio environment OR find a nice acoustic space and record everything at once using a decca tree with some spot mics perhaps on the guitar, vocals, and percussion and a line out from the keyboard??

Help or advice from anyone is greatly appreciated, and I will take anything and everything on board!

Thanks for your time!

[astronmr20]

Originally Posted by mherma04

I have to record an Accordion Orchestra in a few weeks and am unsure of the best way to do it. The Orchestra is made up of 14 people, with 10 accordionists split into groups of 2 or 3 playing 4 different parts; a bass guitar player, an acoustic guitar player, a keyboard player, a drummer, an auxiliary percussionist and a vocalist (for some songs).

Having read information on recording accordions, and orchestral recording techniques, would it be best to record the accordions, bass, guitar, vocals and piano then record the drums and percussion later, all in a studio environment OR find a nice acoustic space and record everything at once using a decca tree with some spot mics perhaps on the guitar, vocals, and percussion and a line out from the keyboard??

Help or advice from anyone is greatly appreciated, and I will take anything and everything on board!

Thanks for your time!

Try doing everything at once first, since it's an orchestra and that's how they preform. Decca tree not a bad idea, but you might want some spot mics as well.

I'd throw some SM-57's near the percussion and in other places near some key instruments as well.


Did you already do the session?