Topic: Weird Orchestra Miking

[Gutbucket]

Ok well here is the same movement from the night before: www.jellyinajar.com/2012-03-03NewCenturyChamberOrchestra1stSet_sample.wav

Same gear, also St34lth, first row, not quite but very close to center.  On the second night was about 15-20 feet from nearest instruments, first night maybe 30 feet.  Both nights vertical height was approximately the same with relation to performers, only distance from stage differed.  But first night much livelier acoustics in the hall.  First night sound is not to my liking but I realize people have different tastes about reverb.   I suspect that people are more used to classical music recordings that have what I consider a lot of ambiance.

This orchestra has no conductor but is led by the first violinist; the group has 20 or so players depending on the piece.

First night venue was First Congregational Church of Berkeley: see a picture here: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=9Z9&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1680&bih=880&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=zHt9mJaILFsKMM:&imgrefurl=http://ratcliffarch.com/projects/first_congregational&docid=d3869vvGe97MkM&imgurl=http://ratcliffarch.com/content/projects/first_congregational/First_Congregational_1.jpg&w=900&h=500&ei=TFqIULTVJ4Hs8gTzqoDIAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=336&vpy=305&dur=553&hovh=167&hovw=301&tx=138&ty=84&sig=104526446527607864303&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=245&start=0&ndsp=44&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0,i:99 or do a Google image search.  I was in first row first seat from aisle.

Second night was Osher Marin JCC: see a picture here: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=kk9&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1680&bih=880&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=eVtRblygO4FOFM:&imgrefurl=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9376987.htm&docid=lOE3HtNaHj1vmM&imgurl=http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2012/04/05/9376987/hoytt%252520nye.jpg&w=610&h=409&ei=3VyIUJigJ5G09gS02YGQAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=191&vpy=186&dur=875&hovh=184&hovw=274&tx=119&ty=136&sig=104526446527607864303&page=2&tbnh=132&tbnw=215&start=40&ndsp=51&ved=1t:429,r:37,s:20,i:249 or do a google image search to get an idea what that hall is like

I finally got a chance to listen to both, which strike me as excellent examples of the primary importance of distance over many other mic placement considerations when choice of location is limited.  As you mention, the ideal balance of direct and reverberant sound room is subjective, and although the detail is welcome, I find the second night a bit too dry and close for my taste.  The first night is somewhat over distant and reverberant, yet personally I find it far more satisfying for extended listening.  Ideally I'd choose a perspective somewhere between the two, combining detail with appropriate lush room reveberance, which I think might be available by using omnis instead of cardioids from the same location as night two, or placing the cardioids closer for night one (which I realize was not an option).  Different rooms though, so it’s difficult to speculate.  Thanks for posting the samples- nice performance and good job given the constraints.