Choir Recording Tips

ObLogic7 · 16th November 2009, 05:32 AM

I will be doing a session next Sunday where I will be recording a choir one section at a time for a single song. The choir that I am recording will be dispersed around the room during the live performance and will not be recorded then. These tracks will be used to supplement tracks that will be recorded during the live performance.

The session will be in a different room than the live performance. There are about 150 choir members total divided between 4 sections. The room that we will be recording in is designed to hold about 100 people. Each section will record with CD accompaniment.

I need suggestions on mic placement and techniques so that the sections will blend well in the mix. I also need suggestions on how to minimize bleed since it will begin to add up across the 4 takes. I have access to many different mics with different patterns and will have about 8 inputs available to work with so pretty much any configuration is possible.

We have about 1h 30m to complete the session for all 4 sections so anything to save time will also help. Ears for each member would be great but are not an option.

The purpose of the recording will be for CD and possibly video if it would make a difference as to how I should proceed.

Thanks in advance for your help.

ObLogic7 · 17th November 2009, 09:26 PM

Anybody?

DannyL · 18th November 2009, 01:56 AM

When recording choirs, I prefer to use 4 section mics. Soprano, Alto, Tenor Bass. My mic of preference would be Neuman U87's, MT Gefel UMT70s', or any other quality large diaphragm side address mic, that is fairly neutral. I pan them as I see them, use a low end filter on each mic with little or no other processing.

I would not choose a Rode and am not overly fond of AKG 414's in this instance.

That said, I also have used an ORTF pair 1 to 2 meters over the conductor's head. My favorite here is a pair of Schoeps w/ CK4 cardioid capsules.

I prefer using shock mounts. I keep my cable runs hidden from people's feet...looks neater and is much more secure.

Hope this helps.

Danny

Jim vanBergen · 18th November 2009, 03:37 AM

Your biggest problem will be monitoring. If your choir is good at maintaining pitch, I would try with the conductor on cans for timing, but some groups- usually non-pro's) will drift in pitch- so perhaps multiple small speakers towards the singers would be helpful. Isolating the CD playback and preventing it from being captured by the mics is the key once you have your mic placement. Good luck.

16th November 2009, 05:32 AM	#1
ObLogic7 Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 25	Choir Recording Tips I will be doing a session next Sunday where I will be recording a choir one section at a time for a single song. The choir that I am recording will be dispersed around the room during the live performance and will not be recorded then. These tracks will be used to supplement tracks that will be recorded during the live performance. The session will be in a different room than the live performance. There are about 150 choir members total divided between 4 sections. The room that we will be recording in is designed to hold about 100 people. Each section will record with CD accompaniment. I need suggestions on mic placement and techniques so that the sections will blend well in the mix. I also need suggestions on how to minimize bleed since it will begin to add up across the 4 takes. I have access to many different mics with different patterns and will have about 8 inputs available to work with so pretty much any configuration is possible. We have about 1h 30m to complete the session for all 4 sections so anything to save time will also help. Ears for each member would be great but are not an option. The purpose of the recording will be for CD and possibly video if it would make a difference as to how I should proceed. Thanks in advance for your help.

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17th November 2009, 09:26 PM	#2
ObLogic7 Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 25	Anybody?

18th November 2009, 01:56 AM	#3
DannyL Gear nut Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sao Paulo Posts: 109	When recording choirs, I prefer to use 4 section mics. Soprano, Alto, Tenor Bass. My mic of preference would be Neuman U87's, MT Gefel UMT70s', or any other quality large diaphragm side address mic, that is fairly neutral. I pan them as I see them, use a low end filter on each mic with little or no other processing. I would not choose a Rode and am not overly fond of AKG 414's in this instance. That said, I also have used an ORTF pair 1 to 2 meters over the conductor's head. My favorite here is a pair of Schoeps w/ CK4 cardioid capsules. I prefer using shock mounts. I keep my cable runs hidden from people's feet...looks neater and is much more secure. Hope this helps. Danny

18th November 2009, 03:37 AM	#4
Jim vanBergen Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New York Friggin' City Posts: 2,537	Your biggest problem will be monitoring. If your choir is good at maintaining pitch, I would try with the conductor on cans for timing, but some groups- usually non-pro's) will drift in pitch- so perhaps multiple small speakers towards the singers would be helpful. Isolating the CD playback and preventing it from being captured by the mics is the key once you have your mic placement. Good luck.