Topic: Post-Production Matrix Percentages?

[grider]

so rdptha2d and I are considering creating matrix recordings by blending both my on stage AKG481 recordings, with my soundboard recordings of several recent Lotus shows; is there a conventional wisdom about the percentages of each source to be used, or is it more subjective than that and based upon what sounds good to the ears, this will be a first time project of this type for Ron and me, any input is appreciated

[mmmatt]

so rdptha2d and I are considering creating matrix recordings by blending both my on stage AKG481 recordings, with my soundboard recordings of several recent Lotus shows; is there a conventional wisdom about the percentages of each source to be used, or is it more subjective than that and based upon what sounds good to the ears, this will be a first time project of this type for Ron and me, any input is appreciated

what I typically do chris is to pick my favorite source and then bring the other up until I just notice it being there.  Truly it comes down to your ears though.

Matt
*edit*
don't be affraid to add effects to each source individually.  Remember the sum equals the whole so you don't need two perfect sources to make a great matrix.  For instance if the sbd is lacking bass and the mics are bass heavy, you may have a good ballance when you mix them together.

[BobW]

I've heard it said the 70% SBD & 30% AUD can be a good launching point.

I guess that there are many variables.
A bad room and you may want to EQ the AUD just to get some applause and a little ambience.
Many variables.

[Gordon]

I've only done one but it was around 60% sbd 40% aud.

[kskreider]

I think that my last one was 80% SBD 20% AUD, but only because the AUD sounded like ass b/c of a BIG BRICK WALL behind the band.

It is going to vary wildly depending on your particulars.  Try a few and tweak as you go. 

[adubphoto]

I almsost exclusively do matrix recordings. Almost every one is different and I just play it by ear.

[Nick Graham]

Last time I did one I just kept playing around increasing/decreasing levels...ended up with 43% AUD/57% board.

[fsulloway]

Almost every one is different and I just play it by ear.

exactly.

[F.O.Bean]

chris, send me those and i'll do them bud

you should have just done that to begin w/, i was wondering if you had SBD's of all those as well

[F.O.Bean]

oh and FWIW, i think the onstages are fine the way they are tho, bringing in ambience may throw off the balance a bit, i dunno tho, worth a shot

[wbrisette]

Like others have pointed out, it's all in your ears and really a percentage. What I tend to do with mine is first mute the board. I then mix the two mic sources until I have what I like. Then I bring in the board. I play around with the board and the mics (I usually put the mics onto another bus channel and then control the amount of the mic mix from that bus rather than mess with the levels of the individual mics or sets of mics). The only time my setup is similar is when I'm doing a festival or a show with multiple artists and I didn't have to adjust the settings on the Deva. Even then, I will tinker around with the mix until it sounds good to my ears. But each show is very different from each other as far as percentages go, I wouldn't want even think what it is I'm using. I am however very fond of audience mixes, so sometimes I have a tendency to make those higher than the board.

Wayne