Jazz improvisation, pipa, multiple flutes and live computer music!

[J.S.Vega III]

Hi remotists,

I have taken on a rather unusual live recording project next week which will take place in a small Beijing theatre. I'm not charging any money so it's not a high pressure situation but of course I want to get the best results I can.

The instrumentation will be:

Cilia (electronic wind controller type synth), line out to PA and my interface
Computer (samples etc), line out to PA and my interface
Pipa (chinese zither), mic'd for sound reinforcement
Voice (female, also the pipa player), mic'd for sound reinforcement
Double bass
Glissando flute/shakuhachi
Trombone

The instruments will not always be playing at the same time (see programme below), and at one point the computer and synth will be playing without any acoustic accompaniment so I will need to take audience ambience as well as the line outs.

I can't get too ambitious with this as I only have limited mics (and I think the stage will be small):

Beyer MC930 pair
AKG C414 XLII
AEA R84

The PA is of low quality and of course I'm concerned about how bleed will affect things.

I do have an idea of how I might do this, but would be very interested to hear your thoughts!

Many thanks

Martin

[J.S.Vega III]

1. Free Quartet
Yang Ming, trombone/ Min Xiao Fen, pipa/ Hao Hu, double bass/Bruce Gremo, glissando flute

2. Computer Duo improvisation
Bruce Gremo, Cilia/ Carl Stone, computer

3. Written on the Wind by Huang Ruo (2008) (Asian Premier)
A multi-media drama for pipa, voice and kinetic painting
What is written on the wind, will be kept and carried away by the wind …
Solo performance by Min Xiao-Fen, pipa and voice

4. Armonia by Bruce Gremo
Solo performance by Bruce Gremo, Cilia

---Intermission---

5. Cells by Yang Ming
Yang Ming, trombone/ Min Xiao Fen, pipa/ Hao Hu, double bass

6. SWAD by Carl Stone
Carl Stone, computer

7. Hero by Min Xiao-Fen
Min Xiao Fen, voice/Yang Ming, trombone/Bruce Gremo, glissando flute/Hao Hu, double bass

8. SHUI水– acoustic trio – by Bruce Gremo
Bruce Gremo, shakuhachi/ Min Xiao Fen, pipa/ Hao Hu, double bass

9. DAWS by Carl Stone
Carl Stone, computer/ Min Xiao Fen, pipa/ Bruce Gremo, Cilia/ Yang Ming, trombone/ Hao Hu, double bass

[J.S.Vega III]

So my plan is to put the Beyer pair in front of the stage, somehow spot the zither and vocalist with the 414 (not ideal as it's one mic for two sources and she will be singing into a PA mic...), and maybe spot the double bass with the R84.

Adding the line outs from the synth and computer this will at least capture everything, but I am worried about PA bleed.

Would it be better to try and close mic all the acoustic sources instead of using the MC930s as an overall stereo pair? I am able to get hold of a few more mics if necessary but I was hoping to keep it simple.

[J.S.Vega III]

OK the recording is the day after tomorrow, any thoughts before then would be great guys! Anything!

[Jarp2600]

How many channels can you record at once? If you have enough channels, I would get a copy of every signal that's going to the FOH; use the 930's in ORTF or AB as ambience mic, a few feet in front of the stage (if possible), otherwise at the front of the stage. Add it a little bit to the mix to achieve some room idea.

The 414 on flute, as close as possible.

And the R84 on upright bass.

That would be 8 to 10 channels.

Don't concern too much about bleeding, especially not with jazz. Build the mix about the same as the stage plan is.

Good luck tomorrow!

[J.S.Vega III]

Thanks Jip, you're the man ;-)

Yes I think it makes more sense to do what you say and take direct outs from the desk of the house mics for the zither and voice as they are being miced already, and use the 414 and r84 for flute and bass plus the "room" mics.

I have 10 channels (FF800) so it's possible indeed.

Thanks again!

Martin