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Here is my challenge: A friend wants me to record her barbershop group so they can do remote practicing.

She wants to record the four singers simultaneously, then burn 4 CDs with a different singer eliminated on each. In other words, [singer A] would receive the CD with [singers B, C, & D] singing the song -- then [singer A] could sing to the CD, filling in her own part.

My issue -- how to isolate four woman singing together in the same room, so I can later separate them out discretely in the mix. 4 mics, 4 separate tracks... 4 SE Reflexion Filters? ($1,200 not really in my budget)

Any suggestions? Am I being too overly concerned with isolating them? Would four steps back from each other and four SM58s work as well?

Thanks for your help.

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MadTiger3000 Sun, 05/04/2008 - 09:06

FlyBass wrote:

Any suggestions? Am I being too overly concerned with isolating them? Would four steps back from each other and four SM58s work as well?

Thanks for your help.

Since this is a recording to facilitate individual practice, and is not for distribution or broadcast, a little bleed won't kill the project.

BobRogers Sun, 05/04/2008 - 10:37

FlyBass wrote: ...Any suggestions? Am I being too overly concerned with isolating them? Would four steps back from each other and four SM58s work as well?...

Since your goal is to eliminate them from the mix isolation is important, but it's probably not that important to completely eliminate each performer. I'd do exactly as you are suggesting. Put them in as big a circle as your room allows. Use SM58s and have them eat the mic. Proximity is your friend in this situation.

FlyBass Wed, 05/07/2008 - 07:24

Yes, headphone monitoring is possible. That could be another option if they can work that way.

These are amateur singers who do occasional competitions. I'm not sure of their experience with recording. I wanted to be armed with a few recording techniques just in case they can't deliver their best performance in an artificial environment.