How should I record this.....

[5c0tt]

I'm possibly recording a marching band in the next few weeks. The band consists of 6 flute players. 3 side drummers (snares), 1 bass drum & 1 cymbal crasher.

The venue is a standard issue village hall (no details as I haven't seen it yet).

I'm tracking direct to a Korg D16 (max 8 track simultanaous recording (where's the spell checker when you need one eh)) and my mics are 1xAKG C2000B, 2xAKG C1000s (ok, I got a deal I couldn't refuse), 1x AKG D112, 2x '58 & 2x '57.

I've got my thoughts on what I should do but I'd appreciate you guys opinions. Also any thoughts on the subsequent mix in terms of panning, dynamics, eq etc....

The Korg can give me 8 tracks recording & 16 at mixdown @16bit or 4 tracks recording & 8 at mixdown @24bit.

What do you think?

 

[mixsit]

I would think the primary issue might be to be able to move, say the pair of C1000's, as needed, so you can control the direct sound/distance, image width ect. Will you have that option, to experiment with placement?
Then, the standard rules apply. XY is accurate and coherent, or go to other methods for other effects.
Maybe the '2000 on the flutes? An emcee(spl?) mic. How about the 57's out in the hall?

Dynamics? Of course, the'll want the cd to play as loud as Arrowsmith's right?
Sounds like fun.

wayne

 

[5c0tt]

Yeah, I'll have some time to try a couple of different mic placements. I'm not sure that I want to 'section off' the band....I think it may sound more together if I do a straight XY with the c1000s's & as you say maybe a couple of mics right out in the hall.
What about the bass drum?....I might stick the D112 next to it for bottom end insurance?

And yes, I'm sure they'll want the volume but it's just going to have to be a trade off methinks.

Any further thoughts anyone? Any tips much appreciated.

 

[riffing]

5cott,

Have you heard the band live? Do they have a good mix live? This marching band has no brass, just flutes? You may want to experiment not only with mic placement but instrument placement. Just guessing, but the flutes may be burried by the snares and cymbals. You may want to put the flutes up front and the snares near the back.

I've never recorded a marching band so this is all a guess. I would definitely start with two OH and try to get the best sound as I can. Too bad you don't have an omni for a room mic - maybe the C2000 can still work. If the flutes aren't loud enough though, you may want to use the C2000 for them and the OHs for the rest.