Recording an Irish band

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michaelst

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My niece is in a Irish band... a marching Irish band. They want me to record them this Saturday at a local Irish church.

I have a couple of Rode NT5's, and a Yamaha MG12, into a Marantz CDR630 cd recorder. I figure I'll place the mic's about 6 feet high, about 15 feet in front of the semi-circle they'll form for the performance.

Anyone got any tips, tricks or warnings for recording bagpips, trumpets, fife's and 12 drums (4 bass, 8 deep snares) in a typical church setting?
 
Is there going to be a rehersal in that location the night before-hand or anything like that?

If so, I'd highly recommend going in for your own rehersal at the same time, working out the best mic positioning and levels and such before the real gig.

G.
 
Unfortunately, I won't have a chance to see or hear a rehersal. I will be able to have access to the church an hour before they arrive.

I will be able to talk to the band director prior to the show. At least I'll find out thier configuration - drums in back or front... fife and pipes left/right or equally distributed? Are they all on the same level or is there a riser or steps? That should at least give me something to think about. I can get my mic stands up to 9 feet, but that may be too high.

I have another pair of mics, from the band, Shure Beta 58A's. Would those be a better choice?

I don't think they're expecting a sell-able CD out of this, but i'll give em my best effort. Best gain level... a little compression and EQ after the fact and hope for the best.
 
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i actually assisted on a gig just like this...it was memorable. bagpipes are loud.

"I figure I'll place the mic's about 6 feet high, about 15 feet in front of the semi-circle they'll form for the performance."

i don't know precisely about the footage...but this sounds right. when i sat in the guy used a pair of 47's about 7 feet up. the snares are probably those trap things so they aren't as loud...the one thing you might want to closemic for emphasis is one of the bass drums. i remember the guy using a shotgun for that...but he only had one.

i think you have enough to make a sellable cd...even with just an XY pattern with the rodes and a decent church you could do wonders.

make sure to give AMPLE headroom to whatever you record...

have fun....great gig!

Mike
 
Thanks Mike...

I found out the band will set in a semi-circle in the alter area facing the church. 28 piece band, 3 rows deep... so they will be wide enough I can put a mic on each side of the center aisle - about 12 feet apart, 7 feet up. That should give me a pretty wide stereo field. And I'm guessing in a church I won't be adding any verb :)

Is there a way to 'unverb' a recording?
 
michaelst said:
Thanks Mike...

I found out the band will set in a semi-circle in the alter area facing the church. 28 piece band, 3 rows deep... so they will be wide enough I can put a mic on each side of the center aisle - about 12 feet apart, 7 feet up. That should give me a pretty wide stereo field. And I'm guessing in a church I won't be adding any verb :)

Is there a way to 'unverb' a recording?
Click to expand...

i would caution you on the hole you may get in the middle of the field...also check in mono.

unverb: in general: move the mics closer/lower...also, using the mics in a xy pattern can tame stuff better than a spaced pair...as you only have to deal with one point of entry on the mics...stick a rug under em...

after the fact - i've had luck "derooming" a source with eq - but obviously that can be the band aid on a gunshot wound situation...

get it right first...with a stereo pair you could totally rock this gig!

Mike
 
michaelst said:
Anyone got any tips, tricks or warnings for recording bagpips, trumpets, fife's and 12 drums (4 bass, 8 deep snares) in a typical church setting?
Click to expand...
Don't call em "Micks"...they hate that.
 
Well... I set up the NT5's about 40 feet back in the audience, and used a couple of direct outs on the board (yes, Virginia, piper bands DO have a sound guy when they play indoors) for close up.

For our Irish friends on the board.
Forgive me for not knowing the name of this song. I named it for the closest thing I thought it sounds like.

Old Spice

Suprisingly big crowd, bout 400 people. Stayed after and had corned-beef sandwiches and lots beers. Good folk, the Irish.
 
MIxsit...

:) actually, thats very close to what it sounded like in the church. It is, after all, an ambient recording.

How do you close mic a bagpipe?
 
not sure how or if you'd close mic pipes. those suckers are LOUD, but if you were to, i'd mic the chanter with one mic and the drones with another.
 
michaelst said:
...How do you close mic a bagpipe?
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Oh, not to suggest that at all. As always I guess the trick is to find nice compromises, and you had initially mentioned about half that distance.

... and used a couple of direct outs on the board (yes, Virginia, piper bands DO have a sound guy when they play indoors) for close up.
Click to expand...
I just re-read.. A PA system..?

"Live Sound". ;)


That would explain the hot kick. ;)
 
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