Recording a Wind Band - Advice Please

maxpatch · Post by **maxpatch** » Mon May 19, 2008 3:38 am

Hi Guys

Can I pick your collective brains? I've been asked to record a couple of school Concert Wind Bands and, never having recorded such a large acoustic ensemble, I'm interested in your experience and expertise regarding choice of microphones and placement.

The details - as far as I know at present - are:

40 (ish) piece band
Large school hall (200 capacity) acoustically bright, but could be deadened by simply drawing the curtains!
DAW - DP (Naturally!)
A>D - Apogee Ensemble or RME FF800

So - what would you go for in an ideal world. I currently have a couple of AKG C1000s which have done reasonably well as a stereo pair in the past - although they can be a bit noisy and have a particular AKG coloured sound. I do have some budget and might be using this project as an excuse to invest in some more esoteric gear (Schoeps). I have heard some good results using a stereo mic set to Fig 8 just behind the conductor and a couple of omnis positioned about 1 - 2 metres either side.

Any advice/suggestions/warnings/discussion welcome!

Yours

Max

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:10 am

I'm not sure what your max budget is--but if you can do $2700, a Royer SF12 right in the center is ALL you need. If not, then I'd consider a pair of Earthworks QTC30's for $1,000 less. The pres in the Ensemble would be fine, I'd use that over the Fireface if you have either. Are you going to be recording just the group---or is this a concert that you will be recording? That will determine some ideas and techniques.

bolla · Post by **bolla** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:19 am

There are so many options.
To get the ball rolling try,
Decca tree above or slightly behind the conductor.
Add some outriggers either far stage left/right or into the hall.
OR
Perhaps spaced omnis across the stage front. 2 or 3 depending on the size.
If the hall is particularly awful you might try closer mics (XY or MS) and add external reverb post. Heretical thought I know.
Good Luck,
Bolla

Elektroakoustika · Post by **Elektroakoustika** » Mon May 19, 2008 12:03 pm

Position the mics about 15 feet from the stage (usually into the audience, a couple rows) and about 8-12 feet above the ground. Things you have to know about wind ensembles is that they are much louder than conventional string/orchestral ensembles. Nearly all the players have directional instruments (meaning their sound is pointing toward the crowd - in most cases). If you put the mics too close to the group you'll get too much of certain sections.

I'll give you a typical layout of the high school wind ensemble:

First row: Flutes, Clarinet Ones, Oboes
Second Row: Clarinets Twos and Threes, Bass clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophones
Third Row: French Horns, Euphoniums, Trumpets
Fourth Row: Trombones, Trumpets, Tubas, Euphoniums
Fifth Row: Percussion

This will change for every group but it will be similar to that layout. Woodwinds are always in front with the brass behind them. The percussion is always in the back

I think the earthworks Brad mentioned sound great. Just get them high enough and far back enough to get the full sound.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great!

maxpatch · Post by **maxpatch** » Mon May 19, 2008 12:36 pm

Thank you! All really useful stuff. Brad, I love what I read about the Royer mic - but at the moment it falls into the "maybe one day" category. However, the Earthworks are real contenders - they were already on my shortlist as I have been very impressed with recording I have heard using them. Many, many people whose ears and judgement I trust recommend them. Thanks for all the advice about positioning. The recordings will be made during time set aside for that purpose - as opposed to during a live concert performance in front of audience - so I should have opportunity to experiment. However, I am indebted to you all for giving me some great ideas for starting points. Many thanks!

Max

sdemott · Post by **sdemott** » Mon May 19, 2008 2:39 pm

I see you mentioned the Schoeps. The sub-card Schoeps are just gorgeous!! I highly recommend them as a perfect mix between omni & cardioids.

They will sound great in ORTF or a spaced AB pair. And hey, once you have a CMC body you can add capsules all day long

I, too, have heard good things about the Earthworks, but then a couple people I really respect had some not-so-good things to say about them. I tried to find somewhere that would lend out a pair for trial, but couldn't (but I am always able to get a pair of DPAs or Schoeps when I want to try them), so...I went for the Schoeps sub-cards. I actually got 2 more CMC bodies too, so I could have 2 pairs of Schoeps operating at once.

My first choice - Schoeps sub-cards in a wide ORTF, maybe first row & high enough to balance out the group from front to back. From there, spots on anything not coming through...but spots with young musicians can be tough - sometimes you discover the ones playing quietly are doing so for very good reason

Second choice, either Scheops or DPA ORTF cardiods or spaced omnis. Unless the room is just horrid - then first and only choice for me would be ORTF cards.

HTH