Jazz Band Remote - MP3's and Pics

[gareth.h.rees]

Well I'm involved with student radio and currently I'm the tech guy, which means I get to record all the live sessions we have in =)

I've been doing quite a lot with one of our shows, who've had a jazz band in each week. This week was the biggest challenge - a ten piece with a guest singer on one song! Most of the acts have been duo's or trio's.

I thought I'd take some pictures of the session in progress and get some advice on what to do better next time, since I'm still very much a beginner at this!

The lineup and Mics used are as follows:

Drums - Stereo Pair Naiant MSH2 Omni mics
Bass - DI from Warwick amp
Keys - DI from instrument
Sax section (3) - One Naiant MSH1 - (was going to use an Oktava MK319 but wouldnt seem to work - the desk probably couldnt power it properly)
Trombones (2) - ACM1 Ribbon Mic - Similar to the apex/nady ones
Trumpets (2) - ACM1 Ribbon Mic
Vocalist - SM58


The desk was a Soundcraft Spirit SX - This was the radio stations desk and since I dont have a remote rig just yet, it was the only option.

The recorder was a consumer Minidisc recorder, can't remember the make.
We also recorded directly onto a laptop for backup (only a standard soundcard was available)


In the pictures you can see how the microphones were positioned. I tried to keep the mics pointing down at the brass, rather than straight into the bells.

I'm reasonably happy with the results, since this is the first time I've done such a large band. I'm also someone who listens to rock, so jazz doesn't come quite as naturally to me yet!

Here are two of the tracks that we recorded. The first with the guest vocalist. There are no effects or processing on any of these tracks. The most was a bit of EQ off the board on a few mics before going into the recorder.

I'm very open to advice and how I could improve next time!

Cheers
Gareth

 

[XLR]

A nice listen and I enjoyed it.

The recording quality sounds pretty good for live. The drums sound very roomy, as does the track overall really. If the group had been in good-sounding hall it'd be perfect, and there's only so much you can do with them in an imperfect room. Performance-wise the musicians don't sound very excited. Rev-'em up next time, heh.

 

[ido1957]

I agree that the drums are a bit roomy - I'd like to hear them "closer" to the listener. Cool recording and photos...thanks for sharing...

 

[Nakatira]

Very cool, in deed the sounds are greatly captured.

the vox seems a bit to much up front at times and then distant at other at other times.
A bit more tweakin and it should pass.

Enjoyable listen.

thanks for sharing

 

[gareth.h.rees]

Hey guys thanks for the comments!

Glad people seem to be enjoying it since this is the first "big band" recording I've done completely myself.

Thinking aloud in relation to the comments:

Roomy Drums: I think this could be due to the omni overhead mics being positioned too high? Perhaps if I had put them closer to the kit it would have put the drums more up front? I was considering putting them closer but I was concerned about having the mics equidistant from the snare. Does this matter so much?

Roomy Track: Been thinking about this, and I've realised that pretty much no cardioid mics were used, the exception being the vocal mic. I think I could have done with a bit more of the DI'd bass signal since it sounds like the drum mics were contributing most of the bass sound! I was going to use a LDC on the sax section, but the old soundcraft mixer wasn't able to provide enough phantom power to either of the LDC's I had available!! (Oktava MK319 and Audio Technica AT4040) - Something to watch out for!

Vocals: I agree! Could have done with a compressor to even them out a little. Would have been nice to have a LDC too, rather than a 58. Or maybe a ribbon would have at least given some more detail.

Better Room: Yeah unfortunately this was all we had. At some point I'm going to convince the band leader to let me record them at a gig - just need to get my HD24 first

Enthusiasm: Well... we're all students and it was 10am

Sometime soon (weekend, probably) I'll post some mixes that I've tweaked a bit - just a little EQ/Compression/Tape Simulator to see what you all think.

Unfortunately I cant alter the balance of individual things since we tracked to stereo.

Really appreciate the comments guys - Its great to hear myself improving, even though I've got a way to go yet! Can't wait to do the next band now!

Cheers
Gareth