recording live ensembles

T

thexflamesxburn

New member
I am going to start recording live ensembles regularly, mostly high school bands, theater performances, etc. I have searched the forums, learned a lot, but haven't found exactly what I've been looking for. To get things started, here is my current mic list:

(1) Audio Technica AT-4040
(1) AKG D112
(1) Sennheiser MD 421 II
(2) Rode NT5
(2) Audix D2
(3) Shure SM-57
(2) Sennheiser e609
(1) MXL 2001


I was thinking of using the nt-5's as a spaced pair or x-y (suggestions?). they have yielded impressive results as overheads for drums. or maybe i should just use the 4040? or both?

the recording will be done in band rooms as well as auditoriums. i will be doing this regularly so i would like to invest in a better microphone(s) that will serve this purpose better. i dont have a large budget, would like to stay under $400 at this point. i have heard good things about the akg c1000s...

also, i would be bringing a laptop/pc and recording into pro-tools le (digi002r) for the moment. would it be good to invest in a field recorder and small mixer instead?
 
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Depending on the groups and the nature of the performance, just two mics XY'd out the front could do you real well!

I'm actually recording a show in a couple of days which is a wind orchestra and thats what I plan on doing... But this is in a nice theater, acoustically speaking. I'll be using just your standard rode M3 mics, nothing too fancy, into a zoom z4 portable recorder...
 
thank you ace, that was extremely helpful. i think ortf will be what i go with, glad to see it produces consistent results.

if i can get steady enough clients, then i will definitely be looking for some better pres (right now all i have are the 4 on the digi002r and the 8-ch presonus digimax lt). hopefully the pres i have now will suffice for the time being.

EDIT: most of those pre-amps are out of my price range. but any thoughts on the focusrite twintrak?
 
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just stick with the preamps on the digi 002. they're not THAT bad :o
... and yeah, the ORTF technnique is what i mostly use at work
 
i know i´m late, but i want strictly discourage you from the AKG c1000s, i have unfortunately 5 of them and its awful!
AKG wanted to manufacture a mic that can be used very universal, for live and even a bit for recording. But here`s the rub: in using live, i made the experience all people talking about: nearly useless. E.g. for an choir: by positioning the mics to near, youve got a few single voices->bad sound. by positoning too far there is the typical bathroomsound. but there´s not really a best point to point the mics...
in recording the c1000 is usable, for very low demands! by using a simple pc-soundcard:ok by using an interface: no!
If you arent able to affort better mics you should have a look hat rhode M3 (it costs the half...)
cu
 
notsocoolguy said:
Depending on the groups and the nature of the performance, just two mics XY'd out the front could do you real well!
Click to expand...

^^This^^ is what I have found to work really well with an acoustic group. I use a stereo coincidental pair of SDC'c (in my case, I have an old matched pair of Oktava MK-012's),
This configuration mounted high on a boom stand about 7 or eight feet up over the group center stage and about 10 feet back will give you a beautiful over all picture of the sound and the group dynamics.
 
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