Redoring classical / jazzy trio

[betserd]

Maybe some of you will read this for the second time, but I was adviced to move this thread to this forum:

Hi everyone and the best wishes for the coming year!

Coming thursday I will be recording a trio playing classical / jazzy music. There is a grand piano, akoustic guitar and a violin, they play in a medium sized room. I already made up a small battleplan on how to do this recording and I would be very gratefull if I could get some comments on that:

Mics I have:
2x Oktava MK012 (all capsules)
1x Oktava ML 52
2x NT5
3x Zeck electret microphones

All recorded through a Focusrite Octopre. I know that's definetly not high end stuff, but it is what i've got to use.

My plan was to use the Oktava MK012's to create a stereo image which should already sound very good, trying to move the players in the image as well. Don't know though which setup to use (omni, cardiode, ORTF, XY) any suggestions? The close miking every instrument: Violin with the Oktava Ribbon, the piano with two NT5's spaced close to the piano, use a Zech to mike the guitar.
What do you think of this? Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot in advance!!

[pkautzsch]

If your room is good, take the 012s in omni, and spaced somewhat like 40 cm to start with, maybe 2 m high. This should be a sufficient main pair when positioned carefully, and when at least violin and piano are in a concert-like setup. Guitar will probably be the most likely candidate for spot miking, as it projects a bit differently in comparison to piano and violin. I'd try the ribbon there. I'd let the musicians balance themselves - this is not pop music.

[betserd]

Thanks for the info, I used the Oktava's in omni mode for the room mics, the two NT5's positioned over the Grand (lid was closed), the ribbon for the violin and the studio Projects C3 in figure of 8 for the akoustic, together with a little blend of the pickup on the guitar itself.

I posted the mix and I am very curious what you think about it, maybe some improvements to be made?

Thanks a lot!

Music composed by Paul Prenen (C) for the film November by Marinus Groothof

[MattJazz]

Great,
Could you possibly post some pics?
M

[betserd]

Just recieved some pictures:

[MattJazz]

Thank you so much, looks like fun.
m

[betserd]

It was fun absolutely, but I really would appreciate some comments on the sound & the mix..

[christoph]

more guitar, less piano.

[tas chris]

sounds very nice, especially the violin. the melody line in the guitar and the violin pizz parts could need some support. for my taste too much piano except in the beginning.


christian

[jakromm]

So, this thread just confirmed by suspician that the problem with my recordings is my room ive been using and not my gear. I am using a pair of 012s modded like you are and a pair of 319s modded (in place of your nt5) and a motu 896. I would say all of our gear is pretty much equal in quality, yet my recordings are HORRIBLE compared to yours. The only thing I could see it being is your focusrite, but I really don't think it would be that huge of a difference then my MOTU. I guess I will have to scout out a new recording location (classical piano) sigh

[betserd]

thanks for the comments guys!

It was indeed a nice recording space, an old building in the centre of amsterdam, no concreed just some brick walls and a wooden roof. I imediatly asked the owner of this building if it's possible for me to use the room again and he agreed on that, so for personal projects I can use the piano there again!

[pianoman]

Hi -- I just saw this thread for the first time.

First, beautiful recording job. I saw comments about "too much piano". I don't agree at all, although maybe I'm listening to a revised version. If anything I'd boost the piano a fraction only in certain sections, but I'm sure that's a taste thing.

Seriously impressive violin! I'd like to learn from you, because I may be doing some Klezmer recordings. I have a great preamp and can do a bit of control of the acoustics with panels. First, I'm using an AKG 414B-XLS. I love the sound you got from the Oktava ML52. Could you or others comment about the Oktava vs. other ribbons, and whether as warm a sound is likely to be achieved from my AKG? Second, thanks for the pics. How sensitive is the recording quality to the mic location? Third, what do others on this forum use a good ribbon for -- i.e. how versatile is it?