Another Big Band recording

pkautzsch · 8th August 2007

Same band and venue as here:

But slightly different setup and new music, of which I attach an MP3 sample. It's a 90% mix which still needs some fine-tuning and conductor's decisions.
What do you think?

Mics as I recall them:
Bari - TLM170 fig-8
Altos - 2 M260
Tenors - 2 MD441
Flutes - 3 Oktava 012 hypers
4 Bones - 2 KM184
4 Pets - 2 CMC54
OH - Oktava 2500
BD - Oktava 219
P - Opus 53 from below the soundboard
B - Opus 53 in the bridge
B - DI
G amp - Uher 534
Solo - Split from House SM58
Room - Schoeps KFM6

MichaelPatrick · 9th August 2007

A bit too much room for my taste. Since it isn't full of strong rhythm (it's slow, easy) it needs more magic to create interest -- i.e. individual instruments could be more physical or 3D.

hle144 · 9th August 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelPatrick

A bit too much room for my taste. Since it isn't full of strong rhythm (it's slow, easy) it needs more magic to create interest -- i.e. individual instruments could be more physical or 3D.

I was thinking the same thing. Too much verb, especially on the guitar. Not bad mix, the arrangement is other story.

d_fu · 9th August 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkautzsch

What do you think?

Dunno... The piano in the beginning sounds kinda fuzzy. The overall sound also lacks a bit of bite, it's somewhat weichgespült... (click for translation of this german expression)

pkautzsch · 13th September 2007

Some weeks later...the version you've heard is still being listened to by the band's leader, and I'm waiting for his comments (no time pressure in that project though).

He'd like to try getting the sound into the Vienna Art Orchestra ballpark.
I do think, however, that at least some VAO recordings he told me to listen to sound quite hyped (do the drums really need to be spread all across the stereo field in a big band recording?), and too clean (I prefer a certain amount of "dirty impact", and that's what "my" band has in real life). But client's wish must be our command. He might change his mind when he hears this. I mean, it's two different bands, they may have a different sound, don't they.

RichS · 13th September 2007

That's really way too much distance. It sounds like what you'd hear while kissing a girl in the coat-check room.

Keep the reverb if you must, but get more of the dry close-mic'd instrument sound into the mix. Even though the guitar is a featured instrument, it's too loud in balance with the rest of the band.

rubycakes · 13th September 2007

For using so many mics it sounds like you only used a stereo pair in front of the group and then a spot mic for the guitar. I would like to have more presence from all of the horns--they all sound too much in the background for my taste.

pkautzsch · 14th September 2007

Alright. Point taken :-)
I've never seen all responses being so similar on gearslutz. Seems like I need to nearly go back to the raw tracks

. Thanks for your input, guys thumbsup

audibell · 25th December 2008

The main pair are 90% of the mix, bring up the horns, they sound good; the piano is ok but WTF is with the guitar? - way too much volume and probably gtr amp reverb, too. It sounds like sitting at a table half-way back in an empty dance floor or HS gym. A remix is a good idea.

13th September 2007	#6
RichS Gear maniac Joined: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 259	That's really way too much distance. It sounds like what you'd hear while kissing a girl in the coat-check room. Keep the reverb if you must, but get more of the dry close-mic'd instrument sound into the mix. Even though the guitar is a featured instrument, it's too loud in balance with the rest of the band. __________________ - After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true. -- Spock

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
big band live recording...	pkautzsch	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	47	13th March 2009 12:26 AM
Big Band Recording Session	Stephen B.	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	1	21st June 2007 03:48 AM
Recording a Jazz Big Band	jazzbutcher	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	6	18th January 2005 04:50 AM
Big Band Location Recording	picksail	Work In Progress / Advice Requested / Show & Tell / Artist Showcase / Mix-Offs	1	7th May 2004 11:38 PM
Big Band Location Recording	picksail	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	1	7th May 2004 11:38 PM

9th August 2007	#2
MichaelPatrick Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,254	A bit too much room for my taste. Since it isn't full of strong rhythm (it's slow, easy) it needs more magic to create interest -- i.e. individual instruments could be more physical or 3D.

13th September 2007	#5
pkautzsch Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 1,521 Thread Starter	Some weeks later...the version you've heard is still being listened to by the band's leader, and I'm waiting for his comments (no time pressure in that project though). He'd like to try getting the sound into the Vienna Art Orchestra ballpark. I do think, however, that at least some VAO recordings he told me to listen to sound quite hyped (do the drums really need to be spread all across the stereo field in a big band recording?), and too clean (I prefer a certain amount of "dirty impact", and that's what "my" band has in real life). But client's wish must be our command. He might change his mind when he hears this. I mean, it's two different bands, they may have a different sound, don't they.

13th September 2007	#7
rubycakes Gear Head Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 48	For using so many mics it sounds like you only used a stereo pair in front of the group and then a spot mic for the guitar. I would like to have more presence from all of the horns--they all sound too much in the background for my taste.

14th September 2007	#8
pkautzsch Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 1,521 Thread Starter	Alright. Point taken :-) I've never seen all responses being so similar on gearslutz. Seems like I need to nearly go back to the raw tracks . Thanks for your input, guys thumbsup

25th December 2008	#9
audibell Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2006 Location: New Orleans Posts: 293	The main pair are 90% of the mix, bring up the horns, they sound good; the piano is ok but WTF is with the guitar? - way too much volume and probably gtr amp reverb, too. It sounds like sitting at a table half-way back in an empty dance floor or HS gym. A remix is a good idea.