Nice Churches in or around New York City for a solo project?

[sunflute]

Hello Remoters,

Would you please recommend great church spaces in or around New York City for a baroque music solo flute project? (to be done on modern flute however)

It doesn't have to be a big space (as I don't necessarily want to be swimming in reverb), somewhere that would be appropriate for a solo instrument?

Thank you so much in advance,

Peace
Marco

[bishopthomas]

There's a fairly lengthy thread about just this but I don't have time to search for it now. If anyone can provide a quick link while Sunflute is searching I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

[sunflute]

I've seen a couple of general threads about spaces in New York but I am wondering specifically for a solo project. Those of you who have had experience recording in spaces that would be appropriate for solo, I am grateful for your input.

Thanks,
Peace
Marco

[charlienyc]

hey Marco,
Holy Trinity on W82nd sounds pretty good. it's perhaps a little on the cavernous side for solo flute, but not too much so. your biggest struggle -with any church in the city- will likely be street noise.
cheers,
-charlie

[hughesmr]

For a smaller space, try the chapel (not the main sanctuary) at Brick Presbyterian on E 92nd at Park Ave.

[aracu]

St. Peter's at 54th and Lex: modern design with acoustics in mind.

[sunflute]

Thank you so much, this is great.

I will soon begin the process of checking all of these places out to see which one will suit this project best.

Keep the suggestions coming....

Out of the city is also a possibility (hopefully less noise to contend with).

Thanks

[Corran]

Are you doing a recital or a recording? Just wondering.

[sunflute]

A recording. Peace.

[charlienyc]

thought of one more: Riverside Church chapel (as above, not the main sanctuary), 122nd and Claremont, next to Manhattan School of Music.
cheers,
-c

[jabney]

Montclair NJ is sort of around New York City, and it has the First Congregational Church - First Congregational Church - Montclair, NJ > Home - which has two rooms that might work for you.

The main sanctuary was designed by the same architect that designed West Point Chapel, and features an artificial stone interior that apparently can no longer be duplicated. It's hard to describe except to say it really looks like stone, but when you tap on it you can start to understand why the room sounds so good. I helped a friend who provided sound for Dr. John and his band, so I didn't get a chance to hear the church's own sound system. But I wish I had. I was told it was personally designed and installed by Rudy Bozak.

The church also has a more contemporary fellowship hall, with an enormous fireplace at one end that I was told sounded very good as well.

best,

john

[Don S]

Originally Posted by charlienyc

thought of one more: Riverside Church chapel (as above, not the main sanctuary), 122nd and Claremont, next to Manhattan School of Music.
cheers,
-c

Another plug for this room. Awesome! UCC in montclair is a little large and has a really noisy hvac system. In Jersey, maybe St Valentine in Nutley. Large, but quiet if you don't need the organ.

[GJS]

St. Mary's Manhattanville, 126th b/t Broadway & Amsterdam. I did a thing there for a UK group called Four Day Hombre; not sure if or where it's available but it's called "One Foot Louder" for a funny moment caught on <whatever ... computer? sorry, forgot this one was not analogue!> (but it was a 2-channel stereo recording, using the AEA R88). You can hear the room in the recording. Am planning some recordings similar to yours there this summer.

[bove]

Originally Posted by GJS

St. Mary's Manhattanville, 126th b/t Broadway & Amsterdam.

Looks like a nice space, what's the external noise situation like? Can you hear the 1 train from there? Or police cars?

[charlienyc]

Originally Posted by GJS

Four Day Hombre; not sure if or where it's available but it's called "One Foot Louder"

here's a site that allows you to listen online free:
One Foot Louder - Acoustic In Harlem - Four Day Hombre - Listen for free on Deezer

Originally Posted by GJS

You can hear the room in the recording.

but just a little

[GJS]

Like it or not, that sound was kinda the idea ...

1 train, I think OK (but worth a visit if you're concerned). Police, there is a station across the street but I've never heard a siren. Which means, of course, you will, 3 minutes in ...

Probably depends on the group. There are definitely uncontrolled variables with respect to outside noise. But, the acoustics are good.

[bove]

Originally Posted by charlienyc

here's a site that allows you to listen online free:
One Foot Louder - Acoustic In Harlem - Four Day Hombre - Listen for free on Deezer\

Sounds great! Nice recording. Is that piano the church's instrument?

[jabney]

Originally Posted by Don S

UCC in montclair is a little large and has a really noisy hvac system.

Still might not be a deal-breaker, though. The large space of the main church is compensated for - somewhat - by the acoustic properties of the artificial stone. I can't speak for the HVAC (which I'd imagine could be turned off during takes) since that wasn't an issue on New Years Eve. Though power was. My friend's company had to bring in a generator and park it behind the church. Its sound was not an issue. Suggesting that the thick walls and quiet neighborhood might make for a good recording. And there is also the smaller room (peaked-ceiling - wood I think - and the massive fireplace at one end). I've not heard that room with music in it, but I was told the space has been used successfully for music.

Not trying to be argumentative. Your point about the HVAC is an important one. It's just that I co-write for a band, and so when I spot what seems as if it would be a good room to hear the guys play in, I tend to take notice and remember it. If it doesn't have to be a church, I can think of some other New Jersey venues that might work well.

best,

john

[GJS]

Yes, the piano's in the corner. The singer decided to start playing it so we kind of scrambled and moved the party over there ...

[charlienyc]

Originally Posted by GJS

Like it or not, that sound was kinda the idea ...

fwiw i'm not knocking it, especially if ambient is what you were going for. it sounds good. besides, i'm all for 2-mic minimalist recordings!

cheers,
-c

[charlienyc]

Marco, how goes the research?

[sunflute]

Hey All,

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions.

The research is still ongoing, I hope to start doing some
testing in the next few weeks. I've been waiting for a converter......

.....and I just received the Forssell MADC-2 converter
and I'm just totally Blown Away! I've never heard a
converter with such sense of Space as the MADC-2!
I've listened to really good converters and generally
I've found many that sound clear and transparent but
the Forssell is so open and wide that it really sounds very 3D.

Now I just need a recorder to go in digitally from the Forssell.
I'm thinking of a Tascam HD-P2 or maybe even a Sound Devices
recorder. Any suggestions (maybe that's for another thread?)

Peace,
Marco

PS The combination of the Forssell MADC-2 with the SMP-2 is so perfect.

[charlienyc]

Originally Posted by sunflute

.....and I just received the Forssell MADC-2 converter
and I'm just totally Blown Away!

hmm do you know if they're planning an 8-channel version?

Originally Posted by sunflute

Now I just need a recorder to go in digitally from the Forssell. I'm thinking of a Tascam HD-P2 or maybe even a Sound Devices
recorder. Any suggestions (maybe that's for another thread?)

sorry to be OT, but the Tascam DV-RA1000 (with or without HD) would be really well suited for this. just curious have you ever tried recording DSD?

to get back on-topic, i'm doing a site survey at some point next week at another church on the UWS. i'll pm you with the info if you want to come along.

cheers,
-charlie

[sunflute]

Hey Charlie,

I would love to come along with you to check out the UWS church.
Please let me know.

Question RE TAscam: Is the DV-RA1000 noisy (hard drive/DVD drive noise) ?
I am wondering how close to the mics I can have it.
That's why I am contemplating a CF recorder.