Hi Folks,
I have read some interesting posts here about recording ensembles - I play in a large wind ensemble that performs 3 times a year, and I have tried to record several times, with varying success.
The last time (Sunday 7th Feb), I had invested in a pair of Rode M5 and recorded on a high mic stand (modified lighting stand), with mic height at approx 3.5m, and approx 3 m in front of the front row of musicians. Recording config was X-Y, 90 degree angle, with the mics angled down m-d distance between front and rear of the ensemble.
It has made a fairly clean recording, but I don't really know where to go from here.
In the past - when recording in stereo on a Sony ECM957 M-S microphone, I've typically added maybe 6dB of LF boost and lightly compressed or levelled in Audacity. It has improved the sound sometimes (made it more appealing), but it is hit and miss and I would rather get an experience suggestion on what I might do better.
I have uploaded a raw sample (16bit/44) HERE or here -> https://soundcloud.com/bakaman-561964230/sets/festivo-dry
In addition to any suggestions on what I might do, I would ideally like to understand
(i) how I might make a CD-quality version of this, and
(ii) how I might make a more mobile-friendly version (e.g. easier to appreciate in louder urban commuting environments).
Finally, being a brass player, I would like to get a more direct 'closer-miked' pickup of the brass without it dominating the recording (which would upset any non-brass player, I guess). I think that we all sound too distant, and thought perhaps of using another pair of high-level mics mid way through the ensemble and somehow combining them after the recording. Any advice on whether that could work would be gratefully received.
I'm look forward to your learned responses.
Thanks,
Brian
I have read some interesting posts here about recording ensembles - I play in a large wind ensemble that performs 3 times a year, and I have tried to record several times, with varying success.
The last time (Sunday 7th Feb), I had invested in a pair of Rode M5 and recorded on a high mic stand (modified lighting stand), with mic height at approx 3.5m, and approx 3 m in front of the front row of musicians. Recording config was X-Y, 90 degree angle, with the mics angled down m-d distance between front and rear of the ensemble.
It has made a fairly clean recording, but I don't really know where to go from here.
In the past - when recording in stereo on a Sony ECM957 M-S microphone, I've typically added maybe 6dB of LF boost and lightly compressed or levelled in Audacity. It has improved the sound sometimes (made it more appealing), but it is hit and miss and I would rather get an experience suggestion on what I might do better.
I have uploaded a raw sample (16bit/44) HERE or here -> https://soundcloud.com/bakaman-561964230/sets/festivo-dry
In addition to any suggestions on what I might do, I would ideally like to understand
(i) how I might make a CD-quality version of this, and
(ii) how I might make a more mobile-friendly version (e.g. easier to appreciate in louder urban commuting environments).
Finally, being a brass player, I would like to get a more direct 'closer-miked' pickup of the brass without it dominating the recording (which would upset any non-brass player, I guess). I think that we all sound too distant, and thought perhaps of using another pair of high-level mics mid way through the ensemble and somehow combining them after the recording. Any advice on whether that could work would be gratefully received.
I'm look forward to your learned responses.
Thanks,
Brian