recording a recital

[jmxdrummer]

help!! I just been asked to recorded the music departments recital. any suggestions on mic positioning? recital will include classical vocalists, students playing classical pieces of piano, and maybe some classical guitars. I will be bringing my portable setup, laptop with sonar, several condensers, maudio usb quattro, and be using the school's mackie mixer.

Im up for the challenge but I have never recorded live or music other than punk or metal.


www.hellholestudio.com

 

[felipousis]

For guitars, closed mic, the same for piano. For the classical music, voices and choir, a couple of feet could work, everything rely on the performers but generally you can use a more distant technique than a closer one.

 

[petermiller]

for vocal/ choir type recordings go with the 2/3 rule break up the performers into 2 thirds about 5-10 feet out. you might try this for the whole performance seeing as how it should be the directors job to give an accurate blend off the stage as a whole and less is definately more when it comes to classical of any nature.

 

[guitarboi89]

at our college they just set up two audiotechnica large condensors in xy. It really depends on how detailed is neccesary

 

[Jacobi1211]

we use two SDC in 110 degree stereo pattern... this does a great job of getting a natural sound of the hall, and of the instruments. but if you are looking to "play with the sound" which is usually not the case for recitals, you could go with micing separate instruments... i just wouldn't... more time, and unrealistic results. good luck buddy,

Jacob

 

[XLR]

A pair of small diaphragm cardioid condensers in ORTF would be the most fail-safe method. Less finicky than XY for finding a sweet spot in the room, and will pick up less audience noise than spaced omni's. You can guesstimate the placement, or better - go to a rehearsal and walk around to find the best sounding spot (plug one ear to hear like a mic does - yeah, really - and listen for a good balance between direct and room sound), mark the floor with tape and put the mic pair there at the recital. The best spot might be different for different instruments, but you’ve got to compromise with a recital like that.

Tim

 

[Jacobi1211]

and sound will definitely deaden when the people pour in, so try taking that into consideration. good suggestion by the way tim.

Jacob