Large Ensemble Mic Placement

[TCase]

I am interested in recording large bands, orchestras and choirs. My plan is to use two condenser mics for my main stereo channels plus a center condenser for blending.

What I need is suggestions for mics and recommendations for mic placement. Thanks.

 

[Alexbt]

I just recorded a variety of choruses last night. The director likes the mics to be placed in the back of the room, to allow the voices to meld with the room.

It sounded pretty good but there was quite a bit of audience noise (and people kept bumping into one of my mic stands somehow. 0_o

Oddly enough, I had one problem with distortion in the left channel (possibly the right as well. I have temporary hearing loss in my right ear.) and I was hardly pumping anything. I kept the levels low and it only peaked when the audience would applaud.

I was using a pair of MXL 991s on either side of a small hallway at the top of the hall. Placement is going to vary per hall and on if it's going to be a live event or not.

 

[tourettes5139]

When I recorded my high school's band concerts last year, I did an x/y or ortf pair pretty much right above the conductor's head, as high as it could go. This way, the mics hear fairly closely what the conductor hears, and he can then control the mix for you, that's his job. Worked really well.

 

[BigRay]

the situation dictates. normally I use a main stereo array(I do classical exclusively) which is normally ORTF, A-B(meter spaced omnis normally), or Jecklin Disc. in addition to the main stereo array, I like to use flanking omnis or cards to add some fullness to the recording. I have also had great success using baffled fig 8s and , in the right room, blumlein.

if you give a suggestion about a specific situation I could help more...but there are too many variables to advise at this point.

check out "the new stereo soundbook", "on location recording techniques" and "sound recording" for some good info.

teddy