Very Remote CD project report: Trombone in New York City

bove · 23rd September 2009

I'd like to share a few details about a recent project I produced for a New York trombonist, which provided some interesting recording challenges, and was very, very “Remote!”

The CD features one of New York's top freelance trombonists improvising live outside at various locations in New York City. To record, we visited many of his favorite NYC locations, some well known and some out of the way, but all very sonically interesting.

After editing our favorite tunes together chronologically, the recording has become a 74 minute sonic illustration of a summer day in Manhattan.

Going into the project, my goal was to capture an extremely vibrant, immersive sound picture of the city, record a great trombone sound, keep our trombonist comfortable, and to not get in any trouble or damage/lose any gear during the process!

We recorded the performances to three tracks, using two linked Sound Devices 722 recorders (unlinked for a few tracks, to allow for more discreet mic cabling), using the on board preamps and battery power.

The main pair was Schoeps MK2 in a sort of wide “wide ortf”. This array allowed for a fast setup, a fairly discreet footprint, and provided some fantastic imaging of the various sound sources which passed/ran/drive/fly/floated by. This also provided a very broad soundstage, perfect for this project. The sounds of insects and birds often seem as if they come from beyond the speakers. One exciting track features the sound of a large street cleaner truck slowly passing to within 5 ft of our position... in the middle of the night, no less!

The solo microphone for the trombone was a Schoeps MK21, and was positioned on a small tripod a few feet away from the bell. The wide cardioid allowed for an intimate trombone sound, with healthy amount of ambient noise leaking in, making it easy to blend the tracks together later during mixing.

The three microphones were all protected by Rycote Softies. We encountered a lot of wind, and could not have recorded this album without the softies!

All of the gear, except for the two mic stands, fit into a Pelican roller case, and made for easy transportation and quick setups (and escapes).

I've attached a few pictures, enjoy!

For some audio samples or to order a copy: Manhattan Ramble

In Mike's words: “Over the course of a few beautiful days in August 2008, I visited several places in Manhattan that are special to me. From 7 am until 3:45 am I improvised something in each place that was influenced by whatever was happening at that moment. I meditated with cicadas and played fanfares to unsuspecting tourists. I played along with buses, helicopters, jets, dogs, a street cleaner, and my own echoes. I sang the sun to sleep and made music with and over the Hudson River. I grooved with the cacophony that is Times Square, and ended the experience with an exhausted subway ride.”

Mazo Audio · 24th September 2009

Sweet! I have a continuing project along a similar vein.

James Lehmann · 27th September 2009

Had a listen to some clips - sounds really good and really interesting! Thanks for sharing!

csbarnet · 1st October 2009

Cool concept and fine playing! As I am also a trombonist, I greatly appreciate those photos as well.

nice work!

23rd September 2009	#1
bove Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 290 Thread Starter	Very Remote CD project report: Trombone in New York City I'd like to share a few details about a recent project I produced for a New York trombonist, which provided some interesting recording challenges, and was very, very “Remote!” The CD features one of New York's top freelance trombonists improvising live outside at various locations in New York City. To record, we visited many of his favorite NYC locations, some well known and some out of the way, but all very sonically interesting. After editing our favorite tunes together chronologically, the recording has become a 74 minute sonic illustration of a summer day in Manhattan. Going into the project, my goal was to capture an extremely vibrant, immersive sound picture of the city, record a great trombone sound, keep our trombonist comfortable, and to not get in any trouble or damage/lose any gear during the process! We recorded the performances to three tracks, using two linked Sound Devices 722 recorders (unlinked for a few tracks, to allow for more discreet mic cabling), using the on board preamps and battery power. The main pair was Schoeps MK2 in a sort of wide “wide ortf”. This array allowed for a fast setup, a fairly discreet footprint, and provided some fantastic imaging of the various sound sources which passed/ran/drive/fly/floated by. This also provided a very broad soundstage, perfect for this project. The sounds of insects and birds often seem as if they come from beyond the speakers. One exciting track features the sound of a large street cleaner truck slowly passing to within 5 ft of our position... in the middle of the night, no less! The solo microphone for the trombone was a Schoeps MK21, and was positioned on a small tripod a few feet away from the bell. The wide cardioid allowed for an intimate trombone sound, with healthy amount of ambient noise leaking in, making it easy to blend the tracks together later during mixing. The three microphones were all protected by Rycote Softies. We encountered a lot of wind, and could not have recorded this album without the softies! All of the gear, except for the two mic stands, fit into a Pelican roller case, and made for easy transportation and quick setups (and escapes). I've attached a few pictures, enjoy! For some audio samples or to order a copy: Manhattan Ramble In Mike's words: “Over the course of a few beautiful days in August 2008, I visited several places in Manhattan that are special to me. From 7 am until 3:45 am I improvised something in each place that was influenced by whatever was happening at that moment. I meditated with cicadas and played fanfares to unsuspecting tourists. I played along with buses, helicopters, jets, dogs, a street cleaner, and my own echoes. I sang the sun to sleep and made music with and over the Hudson River. I grooved with the cacophony that is Times Square, and ended the experience with an exhausted subway ride.” Attached Thumbnails

27th September 2009	#3
James Lehmann Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Europe Posts: 2,428	Had a listen to some clips - sounds really good and really interesting! Thanks for sharing! __________________ James Lehmann Voice-Over Artist - Project Studio Jockey www.jameslehmann.net · Use your real name - keep Gearslutz authoritative, accountable and courteous. · Stop the superlatives madness - just say no to gear threads with the word 'best' in the title. · Words or WAVs? The former are interesting, the latter are convincing.

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24th September 2009	#2
Mazo Audio Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 263	Sweet! I have a continuing project along a similar vein.

1st October 2009	#4
csbarnet Gear interested Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Quincy, MA Posts: 23	Cool concept and fine playing! As I am also a trombonist, I greatly appreciate those photos as well. nice work!