Wind Ensemble first try.

unklejman · 12th November 2009

Hello folks. I'm rather new to recording with any semblance of the appropriate gear.

I was commissioned to record a local college symphonic band by a relative, due to my ability to make the best of what I have available.

I feel like I could have done better, but I was limited by the setup of the ensemble and my access to equipment.

My goal was to setup a decca tree, but the only mics I had access to were 3 Neumann KM84's. The conductor was literally on the edge of the stage and the mike stands I had available only went up about 7 or 8 ft. I ended up setting the 3 mics up around the conductor. One to each of his sides just out of his arm span and one in front of him, again just outside of his reach.

I also setup my pro-sumer video camera in the balcony as A. backup, and B. room mic.

What you hear is mainly the 3 Neumanns with a little bit of the camera mic mixed in for some ambiance, as well as a touch of reverb on the 3 stage mics.

http://www.jreydesign.com/misc/music/um/track3.mp3

I am trying to acquire some omni pattern mics and taller stands for the next concert. But for now anyone have any suggestions for my current mix? I know there is some really weird compartmentalization going on due to the closer cardioid mics, and possibly some phasing issues. I also do not have any studio monitors to mix on. I'm using head phones and checking on various speakers.

willi1203 · 12th November 2009

hey ! it's weel recorded ! The room sucks though !
I tried to add some reverb (maybe too much), EQ & comp.

not a purist way i know... tutt

bkbirge · 12th November 2009

Sounds nice, the trumpets (on the left) are too loud though. I like the room on the percussion, sounds like an old scoring stage. On the brass is has a lower mids buildup that's a bit unpleasant. The real culprit is the performance just isn't that great, not much you can do to fix that. As far as getting a better recording, yeah get some more distance on the mics, try a couple omnis. You'd probably get more of a sense of excitement on tape with some better mics but I suspect this is a fairly realistic presentation.

unklejman · 12th November 2009

Thanks for the positive comments.

I'm definitely not a purist when it comes to symphonic recordings. I much prefer film scoring to classical methods.

As far as the trumpets, I feel like it is a fight. When they are loud, they are loud, but when they are soft I feel like they sound like they are in another room or something. I suppose some level automation could help that, but then the clarinets/flutes will be affected too.

bkbirge · 12th November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by unklejman

As far as the trumpets, I feel like it is a fight. When they are loud, they are loud, but when they are soft I feel like they sound like they are in another room or something. I suppose some level automation could help that, but then the clarinets/flutes will be affected too.

You're fighting with inexperienced players, getting some distance and a better room would help but it's really up to them (and the conductor). You could try NOT aiming a mic on the trumpets, try to create a hole where they are with mic placement, I wouldn't do any fader riding it would sound unnatural.

unklejman · 12th November 2009

I see what you are saying there.

Well now to find out if I can get an advance in pay if the school decides to purchase the cd's for recruitment so I can get some omni mics.

unklejman · 2nd March 2010

Another try. This time the room was completely dead. The reverb you hear was added. I couldn't get any farther back really either. I only used two omni mic's this time. Considerably cheaper mics too ($180 for the pair). And I couldn't get my computer to recognize the interface (the interface doesn't belong to me and I didn't have access to it until the performance) so I just plugged the mics into my pro-sumer camcorder.

I actually like the sound. Yes there are a lot of problems, but in the situation I think it came out better than I expected. This is just something I'm doing as a hobby really.

http://www.jreydesign.com/misc/music...audamus_te.mp3

12th November 2009	#1
unklejman Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 Thread Starter	Wind Ensemble first try. Hello folks. I'm rather new to recording with any semblance of the appropriate gear. I was commissioned to record a local college symphonic band by a relative, due to my ability to make the best of what I have available. I feel like I could have done better, but I was limited by the setup of the ensemble and my access to equipment. My goal was to setup a decca tree, but the only mics I had access to were 3 Neumann KM84's. The conductor was literally on the edge of the stage and the mike stands I had available only went up about 7 or 8 ft. I ended up setting the 3 mics up around the conductor. One to each of his sides just out of his arm span and one in front of him, again just outside of his reach. I also setup my pro-sumer video camera in the balcony as A. backup, and B. room mic. What you hear is mainly the 3 Neumanns with a little bit of the camera mic mixed in for some ambiance, as well as a touch of reverb on the 3 stage mics. http://www.jreydesign.com/misc/music/um/track3.mp3 I am trying to acquire some omni pattern mics and taller stands for the next concert. But for now anyone have any suggestions for my current mix? I know there is some really weird compartmentalization going on due to the closer cardioid mics, and possibly some phasing issues. I also do not have any studio monitors to mix on. I'm using head phones and checking on various speakers.

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12th November 2009	#2
willi1203 Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 222	hey ! it's weel recorded ! The room sucks though ! I tried to add some reverb (maybe too much), EQ & comp. not a purist way i know... tutt

12th November 2009	#3
bkbirge Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 1,233	Sounds nice, the trumpets (on the left) are too loud though. I like the room on the percussion, sounds like an old scoring stage. On the brass is has a lower mids buildup that's a bit unpleasant. The real culprit is the performance just isn't that great, not much you can do to fix that. As far as getting a better recording, yeah get some more distance on the mics, try a couple omnis. You'd probably get more of a sense of excitement on tape with some better mics but I suspect this is a fairly realistic presentation.

2nd March 2010	#7
unklejman Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 Thread Starter	Another try. This time the room was completely dead. The reverb you hear was added. I couldn't get any farther back really either. I only used two omni mic's this time. Considerably cheaper mics too ($180 for the pair). And I couldn't get my computer to recognize the interface (the interface doesn't belong to me and I didn't have access to it until the performance) so I just plugged the mics into my pro-sumer camcorder. I actually like the sound. Yes there are a lot of problems, but in the situation I think it came out better than I expected. This is just something I'm doing as a hobby really. http://www.jreydesign.com/misc/music...audamus_te.mp3