Hello TSers. Self-editing what I type isn't my forté, so grab a cup of coffee if you're mildly interested.
What
I've been granted permission to record a high school's orchestra concert. I'm doing this mainly for my own learning and to hopefully provide the kids, or at least the director, with a decent recording. I'll likely burn him a CD but I'm hoping he'll let me post to archive.org or somewhere. His only stipulation was a reminder for there not to be any money changing hands for the recordings (didn't plan on that anyway) so that the school wouldn't need to buy a mechanical copyright license. Hopefully online sharing isn't viewed the same way.
All of this is on short notice and I've scrambled to put together equipment on a budget so low it might make you wince. The last time I did anything like this was when I was in jr. high a thousand years ago using the school's equipment -- two SM57s (or equivalent) into a TC-377. If using 4 mics for the choir's SATB sections a Shure M68FC would have been dusted off.
Mics
I found two dirt cheap, used Behringer B-5s. One has arrived, looks new and tests good for both capsules. Although I don't anticipate audience noise being much of an issue I'm intending to use the cardioid capsules, not omnis. The other mic should just make my deadline next week. If it doesn't, I'll have to buy two mics locally on very short notice in order to do this show. That would kill my finances for the month; I might just record mono if that happens ...
Stereo bar
I like the AEA bar's protractor markings. I'll never be able to afford their mics, but this seems like a fun little splurge.
Location
I attended a concert last week there. I'd say the stage is "typical high school stage size" (a dedicated auditorium; this isn't the cafeteria or gymnasium) but I neglected to measure anything. Mics will be at stage lip, but not on the stage.
I told the director/conductor/teacher my goal was to position one stand on the floor, up fairly high, between front row and the stage, but as close to the stage as possible and he's cool with that. There's a generous 4' or 5' of floor space there.
I bought one of Adorama's house-brand light stands (Flashpoint 13') -- at $40 and with a reversible, threaded post up top (not just a stud) it seemed like a big bang for my buck. It's arrived and works fine. I bought a wing nut and some washers to secure the AEA mic bar to the stand.
If for any reason I'm forced to scrap the light stand idea and use a short mic stand (which I lack, but the school surely has ...) I'll secure the AEA bar with a spare mic clip.
I'll extend the Flashpoint up as much as I dare and presumably angle the mics downward to mid stage depth --- rear-seated players won't be on platforms. I will have no sound check for any of this and of course be gain-riding the first song somewhat.
The biggest issue I anticipate is HVAC noise (unless someone doesn't see my obnoxiously-colored sandbags for the light stand!). When I was there a week ago for their jazz band concert, I sat about 5 rows back from the front and the sound of air rushing out from the ceiling's HVAC (above the stage, no less) was often prominent. I'll ask that it be "turned off" or at least the t-stat be adjusted. (yeah, right) It's a decent auditorium but somebody forgot to tell the designers it's not necessary to have an HVAC produce gale force winds to cool down any size room.
Cables
I have two 100' lengths of bulk Canare L-4E6S on the way. I'll be way off to the side, or backstage and "shouldn't" need 100', but as these will be my only cables that's what I'll bring, unless the Canare don't make deadline and I have to solder my Neutriks to that big pile of CAT5 I have ...
Preamp + ADC
tc electronic Impact Twin. Tested briefly with the lone B-5, playing loud music from my stereo, they seems to like each other well enough although I keep forgetting to look up impedance specs (does that matter for condensers?)
Recorder
Late 2008 MacBook Pro running Amadeus Pro. I've owned this for several years but have never recorded with it. The Impact Twin can provide 24/192 but I'll stick to 24/96 here and have made some test recordings.
Other
gaffer tape
Monoprice closed-back headphones
water bottle
empty but foam-lined Gator GR-4L "suitcase" to toss stuff in.
Wish me good luck!