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Hello everyone, Im being faced with a challenge, i need to record a jazz trio, my gear is limited to a mixer an 8 track recorder, only can record 2 tracks at a time, and half a dozen mics 2 large condensers 2 small, and 2 dynamics

What would be the best way to go about this, instruments in trio are Piano, Drums, and electric bass

Thanks, hope to hear from you all!

Comments

RemyRAD Sun, 01/27/2008 - 22:26

Dingus987 I think you answered your own question.

2 small condenser's on piano for high low.
2 large condenser's for drum overheads for left & right
1 dynamic on bass drum.
1 dynamic on snare drum
1 direct input from the electric bass.
You might have to purchase yourself an inexpensive DI box such as a Whirlwind IMP2 our worst case scenario a Radio Shaft 1/4" to XLR crappy transformer impedance converter fake DI. If you're going to use one of those awful devices, see if the bass guitar amplifier has a 1/4" or XLR output as many of them do. You just might not have to purchase any DI depending on the bass amplifier?

What kind of jazz?
Ms. Remy Ann David

Cucco Tue, 01/29/2008 - 08:30

Remy - did you catch where he mentioned he could only record 2 tracks at a time?

Sure, it's possible to do what you mention while mixing straight to 2 track, but I'd want to know the show inside and out and be really good at live-mixing.

Otherwise, I would suggest that if the room/venue/performing space sounds good and the group knows how to balance, do your best at a good stereo near-coincident pair and rock it out as a good stereo jazz recording.

TheFraz Tue, 01/29/2008 - 09:06

I am with Cucco. Plenty of my all time fave jazz records were done with two mics. some times even one.
sure you may spend a good chunk of time trying to get the levels right (since it will involve moving the mics and players till every thing sound the right level) but once you get that down, every thing you record will have that great traditional sound that most jazz fans know and love.

I can not wait to record my first jazz band.

BobRogers Wed, 01/30/2008 - 16:38

Since you have the mixer, you should learn how to mix your show since you probably will have to do it live. Remy's distribution of mics is the way I'd suggest as well.

But you should also try using just a single stereo pair as well. I'd try a close/coincident technique like ortf or xy first. Unless the large are better quality, I'd suggest trying the small condensers first. But heck, you should try them all and see how they sound to you.