Recording my choir

[major_minor]

Hi all.

I'm new to this BBS and new to the recording thing, and have a question or two.

In January 05 I formed a SATB choir specialising in serious (read "classical") repertoire. We do our concerts in a local church with a pipe organ. (The choir sings from the front, and the organ console and case is in an alcove off to the left, but still close to the front. The building, however, is not that large.) I would like to make archival recordings of each concert, and, once we improve, perhaps make some CD's to market locally as a fund-raiser.

We don't have a huge budget, but manage to squirrel away a little money through dues and ticket sales. We did record our first concert (a friend with a mini-disc machine and a two-in-one type of mic arrangement (little capsule-like thing). I was not really taken with the result. He was sitting about half-way down the nave, and there was lots of audience noise, which didn't help.

The bit of research I've done tells me that recording to hard disc is probably a better option than mini-disc, memory card or CD. Tape is not under consideration.

So far, I've managed to unearth two entry-level machines which I think might do the trick: the Fostex MD8HD and TASCAM DP01FX. I'm leaning toward the Fostex because (a) it can take four tracks at once as opposed to TASCAM's two; (b) it provides four inputs with phantom power for condenser mikes, and (c) reviews I have read say that the TASCAM's digital display is difficult to read -- a finicky point, but probably valid in my case!

I'm opting against an integral CD burner because (a) I'd rather send the result to my computer via USB (which both can do) and do any editing with GoldWave, and (b) it's just one more thing to go wrong on what otherwise appears to be a pretty good basic unit. As I don't fully trust my laptop, I don't really want to go with a software based solution.

Are either of these units suitable for recording this kind of music?

Then there is the question of mikes and placement. I'm assuming that I should be looking at cardioid mikes fairly close to the choir, then, in a couple of years (when we can afford it!) perhaps another cardioid for the organ, and an omnidirectional placed further back in the nave for some ambience. Is this making any sense?

Finally, any recommendation for microphones of reasonable quality and price?

Many thanks in advance for any help you might be able to offer.

Bill.

[BigRay]

two DPA 4060s mounted on a jecklin disc will produce stunning results.

OR if you dont have the cash for the dpas, sp-cmc-8s with the omni caps(a pair) from www.soundprofessionals.com mounted on a jdisc.

I record choirs all the time.Doing mozart requiem sunday.

Jecklin Disc and omnis are where its at, daddy.

http://www.josephson.com/tn5.html

IMHO, this is the BEST method for recording acoustic music. choir, chamber..etc...I can make a jdisc for you if you need me to. seriously though, get the dpas or the SP mics, a jecklin disc and you will have instant gratification.

pm me for more details or email raytheapostle@yahoo.com

[BigRay]

For a recorder...i say spend a little more dough and get the marantz pmd 671.
it is getting great reviews now. www.oade.com offers those units(and others) with modifications to the analog stages to greatly enhance the sonic character. audacity is a great free editing program. this is right up my alley, friend. pm or email me for info.

Originally Posted by major_minor

Hi all.

I'm new to this BBS and new to the recording thing, and have a question or two.

In January 05 I formed a SATB choir specialising in serious (read "classical") repertoire. We do our concerts in a local church with a pipe organ. (The choir sings from the front, and the organ console and case is in an alcove off to the left, but still close to the front. The building, however, is not that large.) I would like to make archival recordings of each concert, and, once we improve, perhaps make some CD's to market locally as a fund-raiser.

We don't have a huge budget, but manage to squirrel away a little money through dues and ticket sales. We did record our first concert (a friend with a mini-disc machine and a two-in-one type of mic arrangement (little capsule-like thing). I was not really taken with the result. He was sitting about half-way down the nave, and there was lots of audience noise, which didn't help.

The bit of research I've done tells me that recording to hard disc is probably a better option than mini-disc, memory card or CD. Tape is not under consideration.

So far, I've managed to unearth two entry-level machines which I think might do the trick: the Fostex MD8HD and TASCAM DP01FX. I'm leaning toward the Fostex because (a) it can take four tracks at once as opposed to TASCAM's two; (b) it provides four inputs with phantom power for condenser mikes, and (c) reviews I have read say that the TASCAM's digital display is difficult to read -- a finicky point, but probably valid in my case!

I'm opting against an integral CD burner because (a) I'd rather send the result to my computer via USB (which both can do) and do any editing with GoldWave, and (b) it's just one more thing to go wrong on what otherwise appears to be a pretty good basic unit. As I don't fully trust my laptop, I don't really want to go with a software based solution.

Are either of these units suitable for recording this kind of music?

Then there is the question of mikes and placement. I'm assuming that I should be looking at cardioid mikes fairly close to the choir, then, in a couple of years (when we can afford it!) perhaps another cardioid for the organ, and an omnidirectional placed further back in the nave for some ambience. Is this making any sense?

Finally, any recommendation for microphones of reasonable quality and price?

Many thanks in advance for any help you might be able to offer.

Bill.