Houston, we have a standing wave problem...help!

[con_ritmo]

I'm recording a string quartet inside an auditorium.
I'm currently using a Schoeps Mk2 AB stereo pair.

The standing waves in this auditorium are wreaking havoc on the recording...there's SO MUCH buildup, especially around 170ish hz...that in the mics...the cello just becomes a boomy mess, completely overpowering the quartet. Keep in mind that the players *are* keeping the levels balanced amongst themselves.

At first the quartet was setup on the floor in front of the stage...after a little experimentation, I found if they were setup on the stage it helped somewhat, but not nearly enough. After trying many different positions, I ended up putting the ab pair (50cm spacing) about 10 feet out and 5 feet higher than their instruments.

It appears that recording in a different venue is out. I don't have any directional mic pairs the caliber of the Schoeps, so atm it has to be an omni ab pair. Because this is an AB pair I really don't want to apply any eq unless there's no other choice...

Any tips? The next session, I'll try to see if having them setup in the aisles might help... That and maybe sticking the mics right on top of them.

Thanks...

[RichS]

Sometimes when the room has problems you have to get very creative!

Try positioning the group at the front edge of the the stage, but with with their backs to the auditorium seats. Mic them from inside the stage area. If there are any curtains, try adjusting them to minimize reflections coming from behind the mic's. Having that large an open area behind the quartet could help smooth out the room.

Another way would be to position the group "off center" in the room, maybe at a slight angle to a side wall... anything to break-up possible "symmetrical" qualities of a standing wave effect.

Just think different.

[Don S]

Moving the group off center is a great idea. If it's a smalller hall, then try a jecklin disc and go in a little closer, or get moving blankets and treat some of the space around the group. I think that Schoeps sound better when they're close to the source.

[pkautzsch]

"Creative" positioning of group and mics seems the clue here.
You might want to try somewhat like 20 or 25 cm AB about 1 m over their heads, this gives a nice compact image. Maybe even a "home music" setup (all four around the mic stand) would be good. Thick carpet on the floor and the mics pointing straight down. Probably a somewhat trapezoid setup of the musicians, like in the jpg. Sort-of equal distances to the central blue "X" are important, I guess.

[con_ritmo]

thanks for all the advice.

after more experimentation, i implemented parts of each...

quartet at the lip of the stage, mics by the curtains...
treated it like a house recording, put the schoeps in close...and settled on a
spacing of around 31cm.

the resultant recording was a bit on the dry side, but at least it's more than usable...

thanks!

[RichS]

the resultant recording was a bit on the dry side, but at least it's more than usable...

This is the kind of situation that calls for just the smallest touch of digital reverb. Use it like spices in cooking. Enough to know something's in there, but not enough to "taste" just what it is!

[mpdonahue]

This may be coming from left field, but did you think about treating the room?
We have been carrying around blankets to concert halls for decades. Over the years we acquired enough to simulate a full audience in virtually any concert hall we work.
Many theaters and concert halls have curtains that you can use to dampen the reverb characteristic, in most orchestra halls they have what is called a "rehearsal curtain" that is used for this exact purpose.
All the best,
Mark