Orchestra - Acoustic Mix vs Electronic Mix

[bishopthomas]

If I'm understanding this correctly the same omni pair is in the same place for both A and B, right? If so then your B situation will be a very "roomy" mix.

[DAN_000]

Originally Posted by bishopthomas

If I'm understanding this correctly the same omni pair is in the same place for both A and B, right? If so then your B situation will be a very "roomy" mix.

Yes, the same place, same mics, same musicians, and same musicians place in room.

[niquest]

Hi,

depending on the size of the orchestra, you would need mics and a recording chain with fairly low noise since in approach B you would add the electronic properties and the specific noise of your omni pair several times at equal levels. That means +3dB of noise for every member of the orchestra you record individually if, as I assume you would, you add equal levels. This is different from the main/spot technique where you have lots of mics but you don't add equal levels with the spots well below the main level.
You would also need pretty low bleed click track headphones since any bleed audible in the room will add by as much as 6 dB if you're unlucky.
These issues will not apply if the music is really loud most of the time.
Still, if you use inferior mics their uneven frequency response will add in an unpleasant way.

It is probably needless to say that the way any group of musicians will play together in one room is much different from single guys playing to a click or guide track. This weighs far more than all the technical issues involved.

Cheers
Nik

[DAN_000]

Thanks for the replys,

My principal question is : is there any spectral difference in audio within A and B ? Because in B I hear differents harmonics generated by mixing instruments in electronic way.

Anybody could confirm this ?

Dan

[niquest]

Yes. I would certainly think so. The nonlinear behaviour of your recording chain is going to add up with each recording pass. The signals you record are different but the resonances and attenuations of your signal path will stay the same.
What follows has been discussed many times under different aspects and angles on this forum:
The actual mixing may then add more distortion or harmonics depending on the way you mix. Expect more distortion from an older analog console and/or hot analog levels and less if you mix within your DAW and low overall levels.
Any distortion generated may even be pleasing to the ear if you like that sort of thing.

[DAN_000]

I will try again B with a super linear preamp.
I tested yesterday with 2 violins, when I listen to Violin1 in solo is pleasant, the same for soloing Violin2, but when I listen to the mix violin1+violin2 a lot of not pleasant harmonics are generated in the mid / mid-hi area . mixing in DAW.
Even more if I mix 3 takes of(violin1) + 3 takes of(violin2) + etc....(all the orchestra)

Dan

[niquest]

Man, are you trying to create a string section sound with one little violin? I've been down that road. Do try and get at least 3 violins to play together or it's never going to sound orchestral. 4 if you can. If you record a single violin 14 times over, playing the same part, it is going to sound like one huge flanging violin and not at all like a string section. It doesn't matter if you are using a pair of M50 or a single SM57 let alone your preamps. The problem is the missing 3 violins.