Topic: Orchestra and Concert band recording help needed

[Swampy]

So, Im gonna be recording my school's orchestra and concert bands soon and I need some help. I will be multracking to pc (4 channels). I just want to split omnis a few feet infront, but Im worried about not getting enough of the rear part of the band as the stage is quite deep 20+ feet. Should I worry about that stuff, its percussion, so its loud right??? Anyone have any experence with this kind of stuff?? FWIW, the school theatre seats a little over 1600 i think. I cant get to the rafters to hang anything... My mics are 2 behringer ecm8000(omnis), 2 superlux smk-h8k(cards), and assorted dynamics(sm57s, 58s ect...) THANKS FOR ANY HELP!!!

[Swampy]

anyone? ^

[Brian Skalinder]

anyone? ^

Patience, young grasshopper.  You only posted 30min ago!!

[Swampy]

Patience? HUH, WHAT??? Im pretty bored, so Im kind of antsy...

[super-phat-al]

damn alex, we do so much of the same stuff its crazy.  ive done this about 4 times.  

What kind of stands do you have?  
Is this an auditorium?
do you have a band shell?
Do you know what pieces they are playing?



I would put the two omnis on the stage left and right in front of the band.  Then take the cards you have and run them directly on the side of the band.  I would use the cards to capture the baritones and tubas.  Because thier sound will get lost because their bells aim up.  usually the tubas and baritones will be on the stage left and in the last rows.  Id put a card right over them if possible.  Then a card over the clarinets.  The percussion shouldn't have any trouble with being heard over the omnis.  
So everything should be ok with that for band.  The omnis should be used to capture the band.  The band should be able to control their own volume and balance on their own, but the tubsa and baritones are gonna get lost so help them out a little.  Keep the cards away from the trumpets.  They'll kill all your chances of picking up the clarinets and assorted low woodwinds.  
The orchestra should again have the two omnis in front.  (If you can)  Change the cards to the front of the stage more.  However if during the performance you have to choose between the mic postion for the orchestra or band choose the band.  
Ive you're recording to a PC, do it on 24/96.  Then sample down.  You want as much as possible to work with.  
While listening to some of DVD-A, SACD classic works, the 24/96 makes the biggest difference ive ever heard.  It really is breathe taking in quality.   It really captures the timbre of the instruments.  

If you know pieces they are playing i may be able to help, ive played too much band music.

[Swampy]

Thanks for the help Alex! T+!!! Im gonna be using boom stands, all pretty big and sturdy, and then Ive got my stand I use for taping. Yes, it is an auditorium? No band shell. And no. THANKS for all the help man!

[radioboy1977]

alex,
i have a book i'm going to loan you.  the second edition of the "sound reinforcement handbook."  it should tell you everything you need to know and then some.  i'll bring it to KD on sunday.

[Swampy]

Jef, what would I do without you??? T++++

[Tim]

alex,
i have a book i'm going to loan you.  the second edition of the "sound reinforcement handbook."  it should tell you everything you need to know and then some.  i'll bring it to KD on sunday.

Yamaha's book? That thing is like the Bible....

I've recommended that book to so many people! I can't stress buying it enough...

[radioboy1977]

tim... that's the one.  it was required reading when i was in school.  i'm the taper i am today because of it;D

alex... what would you do without me?  well, for one thing, i'd imagine you'd get more phone numbers from hot girls at shows if i weren't hanging around all the time

[Swampy]

alex... what would you do without me?  well, for one thing, i'd imagine you'd get more phone numbers from hot girls at shows if i weren't hanging around all the time

Like Ms. Hoffman???

[radioboy1977]

you know it

[Swampy]

Mike, thanks for the help! I deffinaltly love doing big ambiant recordings. Ive done my schools jazz band, and a lot of church stuff, so it should be cool to get to do the orchestra and concert band! Ive got two seperate concerts, so I'll deffinatly get to do some experimentation!!!!

[Swampy]

ummm looks like 24/96 isnt gonna be an option... I was able to record 4 tracks for 4m48.3s... Says the audio disc is full. What exactly is the audio disc? FWIW, I have 34.4 gigs of free space on my hard drive...

[super-phat-al]

ummm looks like 24/96 isnt gonna be an option... I was able to record 4 tracks for 4m48.3s... Says the audio disc is full. What exactly is the audio disc? FWIW, I have 34.4 gigs of free space on my hard drive...

what program are you running?