Masonic Temples for recording venues

[7rojo7]

II/2 - Phi or tau, minimal curtains and any mason knows his ####
grade G
diamonds and dust
resolve for Pi now

[softwareguy]

Village used to be a Masonic Temple.

Village Studios

[dustyreels]

Originally Posted by peter the butche

my masonic temple is OK, but has a barrel vaulted ceiling, and has a wee bit to much echo.
Fraternal greetings from the UK

I thought about doing some recordings in my lodge until the local fire inspector made us take down the curtains hanging on the east and west walls. Somehow after 50 years they all of a sudden became a fire hazard!? The acoustics became less ideal after that. The great thing is I wound up with the curtains and they're hanging in my studio now. They're charged with the vibes of 50+ years of ancient rites.

The lodge downtown (Asheville,NC) is utilizing the 3rd floor, which was once a Scottish Rite theater, for live events.

It's great to know so many brothers are here. Throughout the ages many of the best artist have been fellows of the craft.

Fraternally...

Scott Stewart
Senior Decon
Nichols-West Asheville #650
AF&AM North Carolina

[Pred80r]

Doesn't begin to cover the anomalies of tracking in a temple or cathedral...doesn't cover the the amazing sonic qualities you can discover while tracking in one either but I get the point.

I forgot to mention, that most temples and cathedrals (that were likely built by masons) are built from the stage or podium forward in acoustics. They didn't have amplification so they used angular reflection and deflection to keep the source volume moving "forward" from its originating point.

Finding the sweet spots in this forward reflection construction is the fun part but the pay off is sweet music to your ears...

The parabolic ceilings can yield AMAZING results when you find their focal points. As a general rule they will be at ear height when sitting down in the direct center of the parabola but play around with it a bit as everything inside the geometry will affect the focal point.

[jonathan jetter]

the rooms at the Grand Lodge of New York sound gorgeous.

i'm sure very expensive to rent though.

i know a lot of sessions have been done there in the past but i'm not aware of any recently. (doesn't mean they haven't happened though)

[edbro]

those parabolic ceilings can be fun if used properly during degrees! Its heartening to me to find so many brothers not only on this site but involved with sound. Any members of the Valley of Nashville? I'm coming down for the reunion with Chicago in November.
Never been to LA in my travels so I can't speak for them, but the places I have been, I get to know some of the brothers and allow them to know me, before I broach the idea of recording in their temple. As a member I'll help with degree work, as a nonmember- support pancake breakfasts, chilli dinners...Like everywhere else in life, when you are no longer a stranger people tend to be more accommodating and sympathetic to your needs.
Happy Trails,
Ed Steffy MSA, KYCH
Grand Steward, Royal Arch Masons of Illinois

P.S. Thank You Boojum for opening this door!

[boojum]

Some background about where I am: Astoria has about 10,000 souls, all told. We have about five venues I know of. One is a Methodist church sanctuary where the pastor is most welcoming and has made the space available for free. The second is an "event center" with a barrel ceiling and the sound from hell. Third is the small theater where the clip above was recorded. Fourth is a deconsecrated church which has had some acoustic tuning and is pretty good. And finally there is the Masonic Temple.

The theater has problems with standing waves. I think my mics were high enough to minimize them (~16'). I have not yet shown the sanctuary to the chorale director nor the Masonic Temple. As the sanctuary is squarish it would not be my first choice.

I do not know how the local Grand Master will receive this. I know there have been concerts in the hall in the past so it can be done. Cost may be a problem. I will talk to the Grand Master this evening.

If we can get the Masonic Temple and we like the sound you can be sure that I will try mics all over the place during rehearsals. I will keep notes and sound files of the tests. And if I have the patience to do it right the first time I will only need to do it once. ;o)

Thanks for everything. And my local primary Masonic connection has assured me that while he appreciates the offers of the Masonic brothers on the board to contact him in my behalf it is not necessary. I sincerely appreciate all the offers.

Cheers

[ajfarber]

Originally Posted by jonathan jetter

the rooms at the Grand Lodge of New York sound gorgeous.

i'm sure very expensive to rent though.

i know a lot of sessions have been done there in the past but i'm not aware of any recently. (doesn't mean they haven't happened though)

I recorded a few things in there. Wynton Marsalis' "Blood on the Fields", Marcus Roberts "Portraits in Blue" and some Marcus Roberts TV special for PBS.

Good sound but not worth the hassle if a great studio is available.

[boojum]

Originally Posted by ajfarber

I recorded a few things in there. Wynton Marsalis' "Blood on the Fields", Marcus Roberts "Portraits in Blue" and some Marcus Roberts TV special for PBS.

Good sound but not worth the hassle if a great studio is available.

There are no great studios within two hours of Astoria. One, Big Red Studio (Big Red Studio - Music Recording) is out of the question for this group which can barely afford an orchestra.

For those following the saga: My local contact put me in contact with the Grand Master. He was quite positive and put me in touch with the fellow who handles the building use and functions. That fellow wants to have the chorale start next Tuesday! I kind of had to cool him down. LOL The core of this is that everybody has been so helpful and kind. I have to call the chorale director now to arrange for her and I to see the inside of the lodge and see how she feels about it. She is my boss even though I do not get paid for any of this. But she is a good boss.

I owe you all a great debt of gratitude. Thanks, again, for your support and encouragement.

[dustyreels]

Originally Posted by ajfarber

I recorded a few things in there. Wynton Marsalis' "Blood on the Fields", Marcus Roberts "Portraits in Blue" and some Marcus Roberts TV special for PBS.

Good sound but not worth the hassle if a great studio is available.

Cool!

Great thread!

[memphisindie]

There are plenty of Masons here, I'm not sure I could help in Astoria Oregon, but, I bet the Lodge would have an audio engineer that may help you. I never thought about recording in my lodge, a working Grand Lodge, but I know of one 33rd PM who is an audio engineer who would probably love to do it.
I hope you get it done.

[sonare]

Originally Posted by Pred80r

Most active temple's or cathedrals will NOT let you record in their space without a seriously expensive temporary filming permit. I have done movie shoots and music video's in some nice open cathedral type spaces but the film company producing them paid for the permits.

Welcome to LA-- most places do not know what a filming permit is. I have not had to deal with such, but knowing the resident musician always helps. Trying to stay low-key does also-- once the whiff of money and "big budget" is detected the game will change.

Remember that the OP is in Astoria OR-- the county seat of Clatsop County. They probably don't grow much red tape there.

The churches (but not the square one) are still a good option.

Rich

[sonare]

Originally Posted by boojum

There are no great studios within two hours of Astoria.

There probably aren't any within 2 days-- for choral you almost can't have too much resonance (not the same as reverb), and in this country I can't think of any that are ideal now that the really big rooms in NYC are gone.

Churches are the natural habitat for voice-- as long as it wasn't designed as a "worship center" with wall-to-wall carpet and an 80-input console. Yes, there are always "issues" (ambient noise at the top of the list) but the sound can be worth it.

Rich

[Pred80r]

Originally Posted by sonare

Welcome to LA-- most places do not know what a filming permit is. I have not had to deal with such, but knowing the resident musician always helps. Trying to stay low-key does also-- once the whiff of money and "big budget" is detected the game will change.

Remember that the OP is in Astoria OR-- the county seat of Clatsop County. They probably don't grow much red tape there.

The churches (but not the square one) are still a good option.

Rich

LA isn't an island...it's just a faster moving vessel. If you don't have these legal requirements and expenses yet...don't worry, you will.

The Pacific Northwest learned all about it after Twin Peaks and the X-Files...coming soon to a town near you!