Sure, it can be done. I would use the C1000's (though, personally I detest these mics) and put them about 8 feet above the conductor's head. Based on the measurements you provided and the C1000's pattern/response, I would go roughly in the neighborhood of about 7 feet behind him and go with an ORTF set-up.

Make sure, if this is a "multi-purpose" auditorium that you use a shell and keep the wing curtains closed. This will help project the acoustics outward.

Good luck,

Jeremy

Thanks for the help! What would you use for mics? In addition; what is a shell?

Thanks much,

Vin

Vin,

With two kids in school (6th grade on Sax and 4th grade on Trumpet), I get to do these gigs, too. :wink: Usually we make CDs and sell them to the band parents to raise money for the school music programs. It's a worthwhile effort... certainly the band programs need the funding help. You might want to consider offering that to the school, if appropriate. My kids also get a kick out of it... not sure how many times I have heard their 'concerts', but it is probably too many!

One thing to consider... usually at these things there are announcements. Often the announcements made by the conductor (with or without a mic) have very poor intelligibility from the main stereo pair since they are so far off-axis. One approach is to use some kind of simple mixer to get the PA feed into the recording if s/he uses a PA. (I have a little AudioTechnica metal box that works OK for this in non-critical applications.) Or you can use one of your other mics and record it onto something else (even a cassette deck will do - horror of horrors), then just edit it into the final recording.

Have fun. Just don't offer to do that editing magic guys in this forum talk about on all the bad intonantion..

Vin,

A shell is the projection device owned by most school music programs to help the bass instruments/horns/percussion project a little. If you ask the director if they have a shell, they'll know what you mean.

Personally, I dig Schoeps and Gefell mics as well as Sennheiser and certain Neumanns and AKGs. However, most of these are terribly expensive. (Schoeps and Gefells are nearly $4k a pair)

The old AKG C451EBs are good for band and orchestra overheads and can be had on e-bay for a pitance. I just picked up a pair of AKG C 460 B's in mint condition with CK-1 cardioid caps for only $600 for the pair! (That's a pretty good deal on these mics)

As for the announcer, when I do these gigs, I edit out the announcer unless they ask to have it included - music only and a faded out applause.

When you do have to pick up the announcer mic, the AT box mdemeyer talks about is a great option.

J...

Cucco wrote: I just picked up a pair of AKG C 460 B's in mint condition with CK-1 cardioid caps for only $600 for the pair! (That's a pretty good deal on these mics)

CK-1's or CK-61s?

Have you considered having the C460B's modified? Once done, I prefer them to C480B's...

Thank you, yes I meant the CK 61 - I mistyped.

Who did you get your mods from?

I've always liked the 460 better than the 480 - though they are both great mics.

J...

Thank you all for your kind input. I can see from kicking around here that I have a great deal to learn! I never considered recording live before, and it seems a completely different animal than being in the studio environment. All of your help really...helps!

Vin

Audio Upgrades will replace most of the guts and make them transormerless for $175. You really ought to hear one sometime--where are you located?

Northern VA.