first important gig, level checking.

desotoslo · 5th June 2009

Hi friends,

I have my first important gig on Sunday, recording a moderately sized orchestra with a flute solo. I will not have time for a proper sound check, though they are rehearsing Saturday (tomorrow).

It's a nice hall with high ceilings. My plan is to use a pair of mc930s ORTF, a pair of AT 4022 omni flanks in spaced AB (I am thinking set back a couple of feet and fanned out about 3 feet on each side of the main pair), and finally a Schoeps MK4 as a spot on the soloist. So I'm looking at 5 mics total. I have a 14' Bogen stand for the main ORTF and will position that above the conductor's head. I only have regular mike stands with boom arms for the omnis and spot.

Since there will not be a sound check, my plan is to go to the hall tomorrow (there will be a full rehearsal in the morning) and scope things out, get a feel for the space. I am wondering if I should do an entire set-up tomorrow just to get the levels. I am split on this:

On the one hand, I'd love to have the security of feeling confident my levels will be correct.

On the other hand, that's a lot of extra work and setup for a sound check the day before the concert. Also, will I be admitting as an engineer that I don't trust myself for levels if I set up everything the day beforehand? I have little experience recording a group that large, though I have a good amount of experience with smaller chamber ensembles in nice halls.

I feel I know my equipment well, and know what my mics are like. But, since this is an important gig that may lead to other work, I really want to get it right. That said, the opposite also applies... which

me, but I am trying to be positive and focused just to do a great job!!!

Thanks to the beauty of the forum, I've been researching this situation quite a bit, but I'd love to get some personalized advice from the seasoned vets out there.

By the way, I don't have the necessary mikes to do a stereo spot on the solo flute. The spot for the flute is more for focus, and I will probably pan it to the left a bit (maybe 15 degrees), assuming she will be off-center.

Thanks very much for your time.

David

bishopthomas · 5th June 2009

If you have a chance to setup and get mic placement and levels at rehearsal then by all means do it! You won't look like you don't know what you are doing, quite the opposite. It's not "extra" work, it's just prep work. Leave your rig setup there if they lock the building and you trust it. Or just strike the mics and maybe the recorder/pres. If you end up striking everything be sure to spike the stand, chart your preamp settings, and make whatever notes if you need to. Have a great gig, maybe post some samples for us if you are allowed, definitely some pictures.

RobAnderson · 5th June 2009

If you can record the rehearsal, and you have the time, go for it.

Make it look like you are doing them a favor - tell them you would like to record the rehearsal (a) to get a feel for how they will sound in the space and/or (b) so that you will have some additional material to work with should something go wrong during the concert recording itself (well, maybe not (b) so much - but it's an option).

Your plan seems sound - a couple of things that come to my mind are:

Don't decide on an exact spacing/placement of the flanks yet - see how the orchestra is laid out first.

Nothing wrong with a mono spot on flute. If you are able, take a measurement to the main pair so that you have an idea of delay times if you should need to during the mix.

The hall will probably be more lively without the audience - hard to say this without knowing the room or how much of it the audience will fill - but something to keep in mind.

gareth.h.rees · 5th June 2009

Not that I'm a pro or anything, but in my opinion there's no shame in doing a trial run. They're doing a rehearsal of their show... you're doing a "rehearsal" of the recording. Same thing really!

fallforward · 6th June 2009

First let me say that if this is your first "real" gig, you have made some wise choices in gear, as my first gigs did not contain anything close to a schoeps!

You should setup and record the rehearsal, this is almost a given for the large ensemble work I have done.

Have fun and post some results!
Robby

5th June 2009	#1
desotoslo Lives for gear Joined: May 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 1,138 Thread Starter	first important gig, level checking. Hi friends, I have my first important gig on Sunday, recording a moderately sized orchestra with a flute solo. I will not have time for a proper sound check, though they are rehearsing Saturday (tomorrow). It's a nice hall with high ceilings. My plan is to use a pair of mc930s ORTF, a pair of AT 4022 omni flanks in spaced AB (I am thinking set back a couple of feet and fanned out about 3 feet on each side of the main pair), and finally a Schoeps MK4 as a spot on the soloist. So I'm looking at 5 mics total. I have a 14' Bogen stand for the main ORTF and will position that above the conductor's head. I only have regular mike stands with boom arms for the omnis and spot. Since there will not be a sound check, my plan is to go to the hall tomorrow (there will be a full rehearsal in the morning) and scope things out, get a feel for the space. I am wondering if I should do an entire set-up tomorrow just to get the levels. I am split on this: On the one hand, I'd love to have the security of feeling confident my levels will be correct. On the other hand, that's a lot of extra work and setup for a sound check the day before the concert. Also, will I be admitting as an engineer that I don't trust myself for levels if I set up everything the day beforehand? I have little experience recording a group that large, though I have a good amount of experience with smaller chamber ensembles in nice halls. I feel I know my equipment well, and know what my mics are like. But, since this is an important gig that may lead to other work, I really want to get it right. That said, the opposite also applies... which me, but I am trying to be positive and focused just to do a great job!!! Thanks to the beauty of the forum, I've been researching this situation quite a bit, but I'd love to get some personalized advice from the seasoned vets out there. By the way, I don't have the necessary mikes to do a stereo spot on the solo flute. The spot for the flute is more for focus, and I will probably pan it to the left a bit (maybe 15 degrees), assuming she will be off-center. Thanks very much for your time. David __________________ The temple bell stops / but the sound keeps ringing / out from the flowers. - - basho

5th June 2009	#3
RobAnderson Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: NY New York a wonderful town Posts: 725 16 Reviews written	If you can record the rehearsal, and you have the time, go for it. Make it look like you are doing them a favor - tell them you would like to record the rehearsal (a) to get a feel for how they will sound in the space and/or (b) so that you will have some additional material to work with should something go wrong during the concert recording itself (well, maybe not (b) so much - but it's an option). Your plan seems sound - a couple of things that come to my mind are: Don't decide on an exact spacing/placement of the flanks yet - see how the orchestra is laid out first. Nothing wrong with a mono spot on flute. If you are able, take a measurement to the main pair so that you have an idea of delay times if you should need to during the mix. The hall will probably be more lively without the audience - hard to say this without knowing the room or how much of it the audience will fill - but something to keep in mind. __________________ "Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense." - G. Stein 1946 The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour. - Japanese Proverb "Look into his face and hear the music of the ages. Don't pay too much attention to the sounds--for if you do, you may miss the music." - George Ives http://www.andersonsoundrecording.com

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5th June 2009	#2
bishopthomas Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,565	If you have a chance to setup and get mic placement and levels at rehearsal then by all means do it! You won't look like you don't know what you are doing, quite the opposite. It's not "extra" work, it's just prep work. Leave your rig setup there if they lock the building and you trust it. Or just strike the mics and maybe the recorder/pres. If you end up striking everything be sure to spike the stand, chart your preamp settings, and make whatever notes if you need to. Have a great gig, maybe post some samples for us if you are allowed, definitely some pictures.

5th June 2009	#4
gareth.h.rees Gear addict Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 317	Not that I'm a pro or anything, but in my opinion there's no shame in doing a trial run. They're doing a rehearsal of their show... you're doing a "rehearsal" of the recording. Same thing really!

6th June 2009	#5
fallforward Gear addict Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 426	First let me say that if this is your first "real" gig, you have made some wise choices in gear, as my first gigs did not contain anything close to a schoeps! You should setup and record the rehearsal, this is almost a given for the large ensemble work I have done. Have fun and post some results! Robby