Help me spread this gear around. Kinda new to acoustic music

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 1:45 pm

To all you acoustic recordists. I mostly do rock/pop etc but I have a classical acoustic gig coming up. ( I've done several of these in he past but I'm always trying to get better). I was wondering if you could help me spread this gear around. So out of this list of gear what would you use where? The sessions will be

Piano Solo (on location at a cathederal)
Piano and Vox (location)
Piano, Flute, Mezzo Soprano (location)
Duets for: (all at the studio)
flute and basson
Violin and Cello
Bass Trombone and Trumpet
Two Percussionists

Here's what I have that would work for this session.

1 Royer R-121
1 Neumann TLM 103
1 AT 4050
1 Rode NT 2
2 MK 012's (cardiod caps)
1 possibly 2 SM 81's

also, I'm going to try to rent 2 Shure KSM 32's or 44's

2 channels of Great River MP2NV
2 chanels of Pendulum Preamp/eq
might have 2 channels of The Brick tube pre by this point to.

Thanks so much....

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 2:26 pm

Hi J-3,
sound like interesting challenge. I wish I could help you out, but I have no deep experience of any of the mics you are listing.

I´ve been told that the only way to record piano is using omnis, and now I finally have a good pair so I will try it out. Otherwise, I´m out of knowledge. Ooh, the bass trombone should not be too difficult though. It is a rather simple instrument to record (I own a few of the beasts myself, makes noises on them).

Gunnar.

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:36 am

For all of these groups, you'll get your best sound with a good sounding main stereo pair. You'll want to get at least 80%-90% of your sound from a pair out in front of the group... Then you can spot as needed to fill in detail.

With the mics you've mentioned, I'd probably go for a pair of KSM 32's (or 44's perhaps) in ORTF or perhaps Blumlein if you can mount them vertically. The location gigs may require a couple spots to keep things clean sounding, your studio gigs should all be approached from the point of view of a stereo pair. The Royer will sound awesome on the flute; your piano can be done a number of ways, spaced omnis and mid-side are my two favorite methods; The 103 or 4050 would be decent vocal mics. Don't place the mic too close to the singer. I generally start at about an arm's distance (perhaps a bit more) and at chest level facing the mouth.

--Ben

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:34 pm

Thanks so much Ben. That's some very helpful info. I'll definitly use your adivce. Perhaps I can rent another AT 4050 and use the pair for overheads. Spot mic with the TLM 103 and R-121. I'll run the room mics thru the GR MP2NV and the others thru the Pendulum. Should sound nice if I do my job correct. Thanks so much. Anyone else???

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:23 pm

Try getting that second AT 4050 and mic'ing the piano in stereo with those. If it's a good piano, you'll love the results.

I'm not sure how they'd work as a stereo omni pair (Probably FINE, as long as you set 'em for omni mode with the selector switch.) I just don't use mine that way; generally I go with small diaphragm omnis; B&K (DPA) 4006's, AT 4049's, AKG 451's, etc. I find that a good spot mic(s) blended with a stereo omni pair adds life and "air" to any good stereo recording.

Good to see you've got at least one ribbon mic in there, as well. I'd try that on the winds and see how it sounds too....

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:54 am

Thanks so much guys. As far finding a good place for the overhead omni's where do you start? Do you get a step stool and get above the musicians and listen? Do you go above/overhead or more out front/room? I'm speaking in reguards to the duets. (flute/basoon, violin/cello, bass trombone/trumpet etc) As for the piano recordings I'll try the 4050's omni in the grand piano and the TLM or R-121 for vocals chest level and back about 3 feet. Right? Then go from there. Thanks so much. Cant wait to start this project.

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