Topic: tips on discrete mics for recording symphony

[cberryh2o]

Anyone? I'm running a sony pcm m10 deck and want to record a symphony but need to be extra discrete.  I usually use ca11s on my glasses, but those are a bit too visible for the venue in question.  Ideas?

Thanks in advance!

[OOK]

Not sure about your budget.  DPA4060's would be perfect for this provided you realatively close and the music is loud enough.....but they cost some coin.   I have a set through coresound.  Len makes a pair matched to a battery box... its perfect for low pro recording.  The DPA's sound fantastic. 

[adrianf74]

Not sure about your budget.  DPA4060's would be perfect for this provided you realatively close and the music is loud enough.....but they cost some coin.   I have a set through coresound.  Len makes a pair matched to a battery box... its perfect for low pro recording.  The DPA's sound fantastic.

+1.

[WiFiJeff]

Not sure about your budget.  DPA4060's would be perfect for this provided you realatively close and the music is loud enough.....but they cost some coin.   I have a set through coresound.  Len makes a pair matched to a battery box... its perfect for low pro recording.  The DPA's sound fantastic.

They sound even better using the stock ones with an MMA6000 from DPA.

Jeff

[F.O.Bean]

What about the CA1? Isnt it smaller than the CA11's

[illconditioned]

Most small (omni) mics will work.  For example, Sennheiser MKE2, Countryman B3, DPA 4060 (60 is lower noise than 61.

A matter of personal taste, budget, etc.

The trick is finding a way to "wear" them.  I like to clip them on glasses, over the temples, but that depends on how you can pull it off.  Better if you look a bit "scruffy" as I do .

  Richard

[sasa999]

  I like to clip them on glasses, over the temples, but that depends on how you can pull it off.

How about sound of your breathing?

[illconditioned]

  I like to clip them on glasses, over the temples, but that depends on how you can pull it off.

How about sound of your breathing?

Not a problem.  Have to prevent myself coughing or talking to others, though.  Suffer for stealth I guess.  I won't suffer for fashion, but for stealth, yes.

  Richard

[BusDriver]

Stealth and 'scruffy' is always fashionable  ...  except minimum drink $$$ jazz clubs ....

[acidjack]

What about the CA1? Isnt it smaller than the CA11's

The Church Audio CA-1 is much smaller than the CA-11 and has a design vaguely similar to the DPA 406x series. 

No idea how they perform in a symphony environment relative to the 406x but they are great for rock and jazz.

[F.O.Bean]

What about the CA1? Isnt it smaller than the CA11's

The Church Audio CA-1 is much smaller than the CA-11 and has a design vaguely similar to the DPA 406x series. 

No idea how they perform in a symphony environment relative to the 406x but they are great for rock and jazz.

Cool, thats what I thought about the CA1's size!

[cberryh2o]

Cool...thanks for all the tips...where can I find some more info on the ca 1?  No info on the CA site...What about the CAFS for this kind of recording enviro?

Re: breathing and eyeglass mount...yes, I've found that I have to refrain from the big "sighs" that I do when I hear some idiot drunkenly talking near me! It helps if you surround yourself with actual music fans who want to listen to music and not each others' gossip. Gotta love the dimwits who - when given the universal sign for be quiet (finger over pursed lips) - decide to come closer and ask you what you're saying...right into the mics...

[F.O.Bean]

Cool...thanks for all the tips...where can I find some more info on the ca 1?  No info on the CA site...What about the CAFS for this kind of recording enviro?

Re: breathing and eyeglass mount...yes, I've found that I have to refrain from the big "sighs" that I do when I hear some idiot drunkenly talking near me! It helps if you surround yourself with actual music fans who want to listen to music and not each others' gossip. Gotta love the dimwits who - when given the universal sign for be quiet (finger over pursed lips) - decide to come closer and ask you what you're saying...right into the mics...

I HATE talkers. Thats the main reason Ive been running Hypers exclusively since 2003

[sparkjockey]

I don't know about the symphony environment, but for low-pro concerts, CAFS are fantastic. Just use your imagination.

[page]

Re: breathing and eyeglass mount...yes, I've found that I have to refrain from the big "sighs" that I do when I hear some idiot drunkenly talking near me! It helps if you surround yourself with actual music fans who want to listen to music and not each others' gossip. Gotta love the dimwits who - when given the universal sign for be quiet (finger over pursed lips) - decide to come closer and ask you what you're saying...right into the mics...

The quietest concert environments I've ever witnessed were consistently orchestral so I wouldn't worry about it.

So not saying that I do or don't, but if I were going to record the symphony; based on the rock shows and symphonic shows I attend (both in the 2k attendee range and sitting in favorable seats at both), I'd run an additional 15-20db of gain over what I'd run at a normal OTS/Section rock show (maybe 25db more gain than what I'd run at a really loud club). I find that I'd consider wearing 9db earplugs at the symphony on occasion, but I've easily gone without while my 25db plugs are a staple at all rock shows. Applause between movements will most likely clip if you aren't using a limiter but that's not the issue.

Oh, and I wouldn't check my gear or levels while recording but I think that's a given... "Checking your cellphone" is frowned upon.