Recording Vocals in a Live Room

[Xspringe]

I've begun to realize that the room outside of my studio has quite a nice ambience to it. It has very high ceilings (5 meters) and is quite large (about 14 x 25 meters). I had the singer of our band sing a few lines outside of the studio and the generated ambiance/reverb appears to be quite pleasing. The problem, however, is how to capture the sound of such a large room?

Could someone here recommend me a guide (or possible give some points) to recording vocals and capturing the ambiance of the room at the same time?

Thanks in advance!

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by Xspringe

Could someone here recommend me a guide (or possible give some points) to recording vocals and capturing the ambiance of the room at the same time?

It's very simple! The closer the singer is to the microphone, the less room tone you'll pick up. And vice versa.

--Ethan

[Xspringe]

Thanks! But what about truly capturing the room ambience? Doesn't part of what makes a room sound good lie within perceiving the room ambiance in stereo?

I recall reading something about using a stereo mic setup and/or using a separate room mic, but I've been unable to find a post on here (or on google) which outlines the process sadly enough.

[loujudson]

Simple. Use an MS array, and dial in the ambience to taste at mix.

<L>

[wehateyourhate]

you could use the live room as a reverb chamber. Record the vocals as normal and then play them back in the large room through a pair of studio monitors. Use a stereo pair to capture this, I like to use an ORTF array. Add as much or as little of the room verb as you like. This way you have a very controlled direct recording and can control the amount of room verb that you're using.

its not the only way, just some food for thought.

[Xspringe]

Thanks for the recommendations!

Would the MS array be used to record the vocals or would it primarily serve to capture ambiance at a distance while a single close mic captures the direct vocs?

[pkautzsch]

A great way to capture "spaciousness" is to use a spaced pair of SDC omnis (pressure transducers) - or any other type, but pressure transducers work best. That's one of the more common ways to record classical music in which the room sound is a very important element.
You could use a close mic plus a spaced room pair back in the room, experimenting with distance and spacing. Good starting point would be a spacing of 3 ft.

[nosebleedaudio]

Use a cardioid close, and an Omni a few feet back.
And move the omni closer of further back..

[Xspringe]

Originally Posted by pkautzsch

A great way to capture "spaciousness" is to use a spaced pair of SDC omnis (pressure transducers) - or any other type, but pressure transducers work best. That's one of the more common ways to record classical music in which the room sound is a very important element.
You could use a close mic plus a spaced room pair back in the room, experimenting with distance and spacing. Good starting point would be a spacing of 3 ft.

Sorry for bringing this thread back from the dead, but what are 'SDC' omnis and can you recommend specific mic models for this purpose? Thanks!

[Lerxst]

Originally Posted by Xspringe

I've begun to realize that the room outside of my studio has quite a nice ambience to it. It has very high ceilings (5 meters) and is quite large (about 14 x 25 meters). I had the singer of our band sing a few lines outside of the studio and the generated ambiance/reverb appears to be quite pleasing. The problem, however, is how to capture the sound of such a large room?

Could someone here recommend me a guide (or possible give some points) to recording vocals and capturing the ambiance of the room at the same time?

Thanks in advance!

Another method is to record the singer once at close range, and then move them back 5-10 feet and record another pass (or more). Mix to taste.

By the way SDC means small diaphram condensor - omni is the pickup pattern. I cant recommend as I only have uni SDC's currently.

~Lerxst

[pkautzsch]

Originally Posted by Xspringe

Sorry for bringing this thread back from the dead, but what are 'SDC' omnis and can you recommend specific mic models for this purpose? Thanks!

As the previous poster already stated, SDC means "small diaphragm condensor". Good omnis are, for example, Neumann KM83, KM130, KM183, Schoeps MK2 series, DPA 4006, and so on. Most manufacturers have some kind of pressure omni in their portfolio.

[vernier]

To capture room ambience I select omni or figure 8.

[getreel]

I always try to get vocals as dry as I can. That was I can decide later what, if any, ambiance I want. A lot of the time, I like vocals to be real up front and dry. Using an SM7 works well because it doesn't get too much room and you can sing close to it. Easy mic to work. If you ambiance, use a figure 8 mic. A good ribbon, or LDC and have the singer get away from it a little more like has been discussed. You can also use 2 mics, one up close and one in the room, but you have to been careful of the phase relationship between the mics.

[Anselmo]

Originally Posted by nosebleedaudio

Use a cardioid close, and an Omni a few feet back.
And move the omni closer of further back..

+1 (blend omni signal to taste)