Oud Jazz

[wildplum]

In a couple of weeks, I will be recording a rather odd jazz quartet: bass, drums, clarinet (primarily bass clarinet), and oud. All original music. The primary instrument is the oud and the oud player is also the composer. The room we will likely (not entirely settled) be recording in is 24 by 14 feet.
The oud is a fairly quiet instrument, especially in the company of the group’s other instruments. Live, they use a pickup, which I may or may not record (as well as microphones, of course). oh ya, we'll be recording ensemble- "live in the studio" (no overdubs).

I am interested in advice on a few things. Mic suggestions, of course, as well as also mic positioning. But also just how would you position the players? Other comments or suggestions?

Thanks.

[The Listener]

I've done exactly such recording. If drums are "drum set", not percussion, then you have some more problems... You should get some panels to put between the musicians to reduce leakage bewteen drums and the rest - separate loud instruments - clarinet and drums from oud and bass - they can be in a (semi) circle, spread apart as far as possible...
One of the best mics I heard on oud was Audio-technica 4041 (it went into Amek Pure path in our case). Try it if you can. Position mics and instruments so you get a good picture already in the recording, because all of the leakage EQing and compression in the mix will influence all the rest and you will have a difficult task. So try to get it as good as possible, so only minor changes in the mix will be needed. If it is el.bass record it direct, so you have one element less to worry about the leakage. We had double bass and its mic caught quite some percussion and clarinet...

Good luck!

[trompetfreak]

Originally Posted by The Listener

I've done exactly such recording. If drums are "drum set", not percussion, then you have some more problems... You should get some panels to put between the musicians to reduce leakage bewteen drums and the rest - separate loud instruments - clarinet and drums from oud and bass - they can be in a (semi) circle, spread apart as far as possible...
One of the best mics I heard on oud was Audio-technica 4041 (it went into Amek Pure path in our case). Try it if you can. Position mics and instruments so you get a good picture already in the recording, because all of the leakage EQing and compression in the mix will influence all the rest and you will have a difficult task. So try to get it as good as possible, so only minor changes in the mix will be needed. If it is el.bass record it direct, so you have one element less to worry about the leakage. We had double bass and its mic caught quite some percussion and clarinet...

Good luck!

This looks like a very interesting recording to do. I totally agree with The Listener, except that I wouldn't have the AT 4041 as first choise, since I never used it. My first bet would be a pair of Schoeps or km140 in X/Y, somewhere between the fingerboard and the large soundhole, an as bonus a DPA4060 or sanken near the soundhole.

Have fun!

[Remoteness]

How did your project work out?

[wildplum]

Things got delayed a bit but plans are moving forward. I am getting together with the composer/oud player and my co-producer next Wednesday to discuss details and (I hope) set a recording date. Looks like we’ll be recording in October (originally planned for mid September).

At this point, my plan is to use some home-built gobos between musicians and perhaps a reflexion filter on the oud (maybe bass as well) to provide a little isolation, and count on my main stereo pair to preserve the “live” sound.

I will report back.

-paul

[Marlan]

Haven't been on here in while and came across this post.

I recorded some very cool contemporary Persian music in the studio a few weeks ago and put up an X/Y with a pair of Neumann KM140's feeding an Avalon. Sounded fantastic. Made me want to use X/Y a little more.

The vocalist's chain was crazy lush as well with a handmade Manley feeding a Telefunken V72.

[Coyoteous]

While we're on the subject... probably more oud rock than jazz, though:

Kalashnik Love » Videos » Real World Records

Kalashnik Love by Speed Caravan » Catalogue » Real World Records

Speed Caravan » Artists » Real World Records

[korbes]

Sorry this is a tiny little bit off topic, no advice or suggestions... But when I read "oud" in the thread title,
I immediatly had to think of one of my all time favorite albums, Thimar by Anouar Brahem (oud),
John Surman (soprano saxophone / bass clarinet) and Dave Holland (bass). Wonderful music and sounds great too in my opinion.

Amazon.com: Thimar: Anouar Brahem, John Surman, Dave Holland: Music

[flober1970]

Jazz, Oud ---> Dig Rabih Abou-Khalil, Al-Jadida is a great album but there are plenty of others.

F