Big Band Jazz Recording

[phil-cook]

Hey everyone,

I’m recording a big band at the beginning of November, and I’m just after some tips/hints as I’ve not done this kind of recording before.

The instrumentation of the band is as follows: 4 x trumpets, 3 x trombones, 4 x saxs’, 1 baritone sax, bass guitar, rhythm guitar, keys, and drums.

As far as microphones go, I have the following at my disposable:

2 x Sennheiser MKH 800’s
2 x Earthworks TC 30K's
6 x AKG C414’s
4 x AT4040’s
3 x DPA 4006’s (which I was going to put on a Decca Tree)

Also, on the drum kit, I was going to use an Audix D6 in the kick drum, MD421 on snare, and a pair of U87’s as overheads.

The room I’m recording is 15m x 30m, and the ceiling is a good 10m high, a wooden floor, with thick curtains draped around the edges of the room.

I’d just like to know peoples opinions on how I should go about positioning the band, mics and any other advice you might have!

Cheers,

Phil




N.B. Admin- if in wrong forum please move.

[Empty Planet]

Some of the most stunning big band recordings were done with a single RCA 44BX. Later they started throwing spot mics toward the rhythm section.

There was a great presentation on this at AES. My personal feeling is that less is more. But then I like the early big band stuff more than the rock-drum-sound modern big band thing. Those earlier ribbon recordings strike me as more emotive -- but then, I'm a kook!

Best of luck with it though!


Cheers.

[Jonathan_H]

I think you should use mostly ambient micing as long as the band themselves have got good control of their own dynamics. Maybe throw a stereo pair infront of each section of the band and then some room mics to get the general sound. Close mic on things like the drum kit and take DI feeds of all guitars and bass so you can reamp later.


I agree with the above poster though in that less is probably more.

[DigitMus]

I recorded a very similar big band a few years ago - you can hear the recordings here:

Index of /BJsBigBand

If you think it's the kind of sound you're going for, I'll post the details. (It was a VERY simple set-up)

Scott

[Sigma]

Originally Posted by Empty Planet

Some of the most stunning big band recordings were done with a single RCA 44BX. Later they started throwing spot mics toward the rhythm section.

There was a great presentation on this at AES. My personal feeling is that less is more. But then I like the early big band stuff more than the rock-drum-sound modern big band thing. Those earlier ribbon recordings strike me as more emotive -- but then, I'm a kook!

Best of luck with it though!


Cheers.

yeah but find musicians like that today.. i asked murray allen [what a legend] about it once when were out at dinner..

(See attachment)

he said..the musicians not only had to be in pitch and time..[they'd be booted if not] but they had to play dynamically correct..they used to put tape on the floor do a few rundowns moving people and that was it

[Empty Planet]

Very cool, Sigma. And your points are well taken.

[Quint]

I'd agree on the "less is more" principle for this type of recording. Also, I'd use something else other than the Audix D6. It's a pretty modern sounding mic and is scooped and won't probably get you what you're looking for. The bass drum is usually not near as pronounced in jazz recordings (compared to modern rock) or, if it is, it still blends in without being so pronounced which is what you'll get with that Audix mic.

[SaxManJ72]

DigitMus,

I have been doing some research about mic'ing big bands for recording in preparation for recording my own big band in early December. Ilistened to the clips that you linked to, and I like the sound. I would be very interested in hearing what your setup was if you wouldn't mind sharing. I, too, am a firm believe in a "less is more" approach. Our band knows how to balance itself, and I hate when live sound guys mic everyone up and change how we really sound. Thanks,

Jerry

[fhames]

Thad Jones /Mel Lewis big band pioneered the practice of recording the different sections, (Trpts, bones, Saxes) in circles with on or two mics in the middle of each circle. This configuration would create a sort of saturation isolation. Gobos or screens would help isolate the rhythm instruments. Best of luck. It sounds like some fun! Cheers.



Bryant - Hames Music

[fallforward]

check out the remote forum. Here is a good thread that should give you some good tips!

big band jazz recording

[DigitMus]

The set-up I used is almost embarrassing. I didn't know the recording was anything other than an archival reference (i.e. not for release/reproduction), and I didn't want to take the "good stuff" out of the studio. So I used a pair of AT4050s stage L & R and a TLM103 center, into a Mackie 1202>direct outs to 3 channels of a Mackie MDR24/96. They were mixed later on a D8B.

Scott

[Will1970]

Hey Phil,

My tip is place the microphones on that point in the room where the sound is at its best, balanced and rich.
I'd just walk around in the room to find those points. The rest is all in the performance.

Will J

[Nobilmente]

Originally Posted by Sigma

yeah but find musicians like that today.. i asked murray allen [what a legend] about it once when were out at dinner..

he said..the musicians not only had to be in pitch and time..[they'd be booted if not] but they had to play dynamically correct..they used to put tape on the floor do a few rundowns moving people and that was it

These musicians certainly still do exist today, only the stuff they play has largely fallen out of favour with the general public, so they do other things! Sure, you can find pockets here and there, but what pro musicians need is to be able to make a living with continuous employment.

Your comment has a great ring of sadness about it.

All the best