Anyone read the Marc Aubort interview in Tape Op?

[matyas]

Don't know how many of you read TapeOp (as it's pretty heavily slanted towards indie rock, in general), but this month's issue has a great interview with legendary classical recordist Marc Aubort. He talks a lot about his techniques and philosophy of recording, gear he uses and has used, and the old days of tape machines and vinyl mastering. He ends with some little philosophical remarks about the state of the classical recording industry. Among other things, he loves Schoeps tube mics, mixes direct to two-track on a Mackie, and monitors mostly on headphones. Give it a read!

[Recording David]

In this month's tape op. Marc Aubort is one of the old hands in classical recording - has has won 6 Grammys. It was very interesting to read about his minimal mic techniques for orchestral recordings - he uses a few Schoeps TUBE omnis that he's been using since the '60s and is apt to move around players before he will introduce more mics.

Amazingly he traded in his Studer 169 for MACKIE consoles. I couldn't believe this but it just goes to show, different strokes for different folks.

Check out the article if you can - apart from anything else it's good to see Tape Op doing a feature on one of the classical guys.

thumbsup

[Legacy]

Marc Aubort has made many beautiful recordings. Hes an engineer who seems to really know good mic placement. He could probably mix almost anything live to 2 track at the session and get a nice balance.

Indeed good to see the attention paid to him. Thanks for the heads up. I'll look for the interview.

Best Wishes,
Silas

[matyas]

Yeah, I posted a thread about it here the other day. Great interview, brilliant engineer.

[shikawkee]

One of the best Tape Op interviews in a long time IMO.
I too was a little surprised by the mention of
the Mackie but I've seen them in all sorts of strange
places!

[Omicron_9]

Yes, quite an interesting read. I hope TapeOp broadens their scope to include more classical and/or acoustic recordists.

-O.9

[klangumwandler]

Hello, I did the interview with Marc in Tape Op, and am really glad to hear/see the positive response. The Studer is still there--actually, I think just about every piece of equipment he ever used is still there, the Ampex, early Dolby A's, Scully's, F-1, the JVC. I imagine that part of the reason for the Mackie is the compactness, Marc is a one man operation these days and he's not a young lad anymore.

Best,

James Fei

Originally Posted by Recording David

In this month's tape op. Marc Aubort is one of the old hands in classical recording - has has won 6 Grammys. It was very interesting to read about his minimal mic techniques for orchestral recordings - he uses a few Schoeps TUBE omnis that he's been using since the '60s and is apt to move around players before he will introduce more mics.

Amazingly he traded in his Studer 169 for MACKIE consoles. I couldn't believe this but it just goes to show, different strokes for different folks.

Check out the article if you can - apart from anything else it's good to see Tape Op doing a feature on one of the classical guys.

thumbsup

[Omicron_9]

Hi James,

Exceedingly cool article. Nice job!

Regards,
-O.9

[Plush]

I enjoyed reading the article which was a general overview of his work.

Of particular interest was the historical overview of the classical recording business.

While the interview was not one of great depth, there was one invaluable comment:

Often the best recorded results are obtained from a main pair of mics blended with more distant "ambience" mics. Especially with beginners, this critically important technique is missed.

Do as he says and try it!

Moving players around is standard stuff, but didn't use to be.
He is a pioneer.

Mackie's a joke but it IS light weight.

[shikawkee]

I'm not always up on the latest but I wonder, isn't there a small board for this that's not too expensive and better than the Mackie?

[Recording David]

Originally Posted by shikawkee

I'm not always up on the latest but I wonder, isn't there a small board for this that's not too expensive and better than the Mackie?

I think the answer is no. Yes there are better smaller boards but not (IMHO) better than the Mackie Onyx in that price range. Small Allen & Heath Mixwizards are probably in the same ballpark.

I think for good small, portable boards you might be looking at Studer, Toft (maybe), Cranesong Spider, GML. None of these is cheap.

[shikawkee]

Originally Posted by Recording David

I think the answer is no. Yes there are better smaller boards but not (IMHO) better than the Mackie Onyx in that price range. Small Allen & Heath Mixwizards are probably in the same ballpark.

I think for good small, portable boards you might be looking at Studer, Toft (maybe), Cranesong Spider, GML. None of these is cheap.

Yeah, the Cranesong would be my first choice.

[T.RayBullard]

a guy I know who is a head engineer at denon and is also a location recording guy, has access to any of the boutique equipment he desires,,,but he ALWAYS uses MAckie VLZ pres on remote gigs(mostly classical stuff). I asked him why...he said they sounded fantastic, are portable, and his clients love the sound.

[sonare]

If anyone truly wants a Studer board, there is a 169 10/2 available for 1200 Euros. The owner says it "needs some servicing."

If interested email georg-at-tonzauber.com

Rich

[NorseHorse]

Anyone have a copy of this they could send or email to me?

Thank you!

[joelpatterson]

I have the issue... send me the postage and it's yours.

[boojum]

Originally Posted by joelpatterson

I have the issue... send me the postage and it's yours.

Any chance of getting a PDF posted?? I sure would like to read it, too. Perhaps others would. Just an idea.

[joelpatterson]

You mean... *gasp*... you want me to pirate it?

[boojum]

Originally Posted by joelpatterson

You mean... *gasp*... you want me to pirate it?

I do not think that is pirating. It is educational which gets a relaxed definition on copying. If it were a fluff article it would be different. As it is a pro article to be shared with a small number or pros, and pro wannabees, I think it is OK.

If it creeps you out, could you just e-mail me a copy??

[joelpatterson]

Oh, okay... but the Secretary will disavow all knowledge of my actions!

This post will self destruct in five seconds...

[achabloop5080]

I'd also be very interested in reading Marc Aubort interview....
Could you Joel send it to me also?
Many thanks.....

[huub]

A paid subscription in Europe is like 15 pounds per year.. Everyone should get one
They stopped the mainland Europe free subscription because it was loosing money I think..

[eoats]

In USA its FREE.


Tape Op Magazine > Subscriptions

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by matyas

Yeah, I posted a thread about it here the other day. Great interview, brilliant engineer.

...and, I merged it with this one just because I could;-)