Topic: Acoustic Recording Techniques

[checht]

I've uploaded flacs of just the mk41s (swapped channel) and mk22s to the same dropbox folder linked above.

[voltronic]

Here are a few samples of a concert I recorded and sang in this weekend. The choir is made up of volunteers from various local groups and is mostly amateurs. Same for the orchestra except they are all pros. This was a benefit concert where the assembled forces get one rehearsal the day of the concert, and then the performance is after lunch break.

Recording chain was 4006A pair at 50 cm width in the traditional above conductor position, with 4011A pair in Gerzon about 12ft high behind woodwinds for choir supplement. Direct into 788 at 24/96.

It's a very dry room so there's just a touch of reverb added, and RX Spectral Denoise to knock back the HVAC noise.

https://samply.app/player/RwCzXO0aMDv9UKyVW5wS/

Enable Lossless in Audio Options for full quality.

[Gutbucket]

That Kyrie!

[voltronic]

That Kyrie!

That movement was quite fun to perform when that first big crescendo hit. I was standing about 15 ft from the timpani.

[rowjimmy]

Been inactive on TS for ages mostly due to less live taping and more home recording but I have taped a couple house shows in recent times. Last one, back in the fall, was unamplified.
First up was a rotation of artists including
a Trio: acoustic guitar and vocals, with harmonica player and harmony vocalist
a female singer/guitarist who insisted in sitting off to one side
a male singer/guitarist (me) who sat in the center of the space

Then we had a noise artist running sound through the house stereo (which has a million speakers all over the house and in the garden)

Then another guitarist playing finger style 12-string and Weisenborn guitar.

I setup for the acoustic acts with a m/s setup about knee high in the front, center of the 'stage'. I set levels and left it alone and it came out quite well. The trio, in particular, sounds nice as their placement in the room is clear, especially on headphones.

If you're okay with the post production, it's really a can't miss close-mic setup.

[voltronic]

Been inactive on TS for ages mostly due to less live taping and more home recording but I have taped a couple house shows in recent times. Last one, back in the fall, was unamplified.
First up was a rotation of artists including
a Trio: acoustic guitar and vocals, with harmonica player and harmony vocalist
a female singer/guitarist who insisted in sitting off to one side
a male singer/guitarist (me) who sat in the center of the space

Then we had a noise artist running sound through the house stereo (which has a million speakers all over the house and in the garden)

Then another guitarist playing finger style 12-string and Weisenborn guitar.

I setup for the acoustic acts with a m/s setup about knee high in the front, center of the 'stage'. I set levels and left it alone and it came out quite well. The trio, in particular, sounds nice as their placement in the room is clear, especially on headphones.

If you're okay with the post production, it's really a can't miss close-mic setup.

Would you be willing to post some samples?

[rowjimmy]

Been inactive on TS for ages mostly due to less live taping and more home recording but I have taped a couple house shows in recent times. Last one, back in the fall, was unamplified.
First up was a rotation of artists including
a Trio: acoustic guitar and vocals, with harmonica player and harmony vocalist
a female singer/guitarist who insisted in sitting off to one side
a male singer/guitarist (me) who sat in the center of the space

Then we had a noise artist running sound through the house stereo (which has a million speakers all over the house and in the garden)

Then another guitarist playing finger style 12-string and Weisenborn guitar.

I setup for the acoustic acts with a m/s setup about knee high in the front, center of the 'stage'. I set levels and left it alone and it came out quite well. The trio, in particular, sounds nice as their placement in the room is clear, especially on headphones.

If you're okay with the post production, it's really a can't miss close-mic setup.

Would you be willing to post some samples?

Here's the trio:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8rnAvT41rRN9QY1L7

Here's a clip of myself:
https://on.soundcloud.com/q8JhhAJNazNqpCji6

You can actually hear that I've turned my body a bit to the audience/rig right.

[rocksuitcase]

rowjimmy- I listened to the trio on headphones, nice soundstage. good clarity of the guitar. vocals present. nice job

[grawk]

Listening on speakers, it's a fantastic recording.  Depth and width, very natural, I can pick out where everyone is.  This is one to be proud of.

[rowjimmy]

Thanks!
Still hoping headliner Liam Grant will decide to release his set (or allow me to circulate it).

[voltronic]

Here's a good example of why critical distance is important.

The choir I perform with is doing the same piece I posted a different ensemble doing back in March, and I was able to record dress rehearsal on Friday. This is in a modern church where we often perform. Upon arriving, I was surprised to learn that the chamber orchestra (smaller than the other performance) would be on the congregation floor forward of the communion rail, rather than in front of the altar as we typically do. This meant that the choir was quite far away.

Since I was not the official recording person for this, I didn't bring all my gear - just my 4006 pair and 788. My friend also brought his 414s.

So I put my omnis very high and boomed out over the conductor's head so they were level with the back row of singers on the altar, and hopefully far enough from the strings. The 414s were a bit lower in M/S. I knew that the choir was going to sound quite far away, because they were. I tried to make the best of the situation, but this was just a rehearsal recording to help the conductor evaluate things. If I was recording the concert, I would definitely add choir spots.

Here are some samples of each array. The default for each is the 4006 track, but if you click the "V2" button to the right you can access the 414 track and A/B on the fly.
https://samply.app/p/BA8P68bBYGlfg0QX0Oja

I added a gentle boost at 12 kHz to the omnis to compensate a little for the loss of articulation at a distance. The 414 pair really have the strings overbalanced to my ears.

Hopefully the "pro" company our board hires is planning to run choir spots, because they will be needed!