Best way to record a symphony orchestra for not a lot of money

[JulesMaximus]

Update: I talked to her last night and it turns out she already has that Tascam recorder. She said her husband (my Step Father) has been using it to record but he has been keeping it in his pocket during the concert... He also shuts it off and forgets to turn it back on so she was missing half the performance. Sounds like user error to me.

I told her she should place it near the conductor and just let it record everything.

Anyway, problem solved.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

laptop is step one ... should be free

Step two is to go to a Phish fan site and see how they do recordings of shows.

You probably need two mics. Where to place them spatially and what models to choose are what the Phish sites can probably tell you.

suspended from ceiling 10 feet above the ground at 50 feet out is what comes to mind.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how...-Address&q=how+to+do+a+live+recording&spell=1

 

[Wonderful Pork]

With decent placement and low ambient noise, I would imagine that a Zoom Handy Portable Digital recorder would fit the bill. There are several to choose from, from $100 on up. Setting it by the conductor would probably capture all the instruments, especially if the room is treated.

 

[z1ggy]

Cell phone on video mode.

 

[Humpy]

With decent placement and low ambient noise, I would imagine that a Zoom Handy Portable Digital recorder would fit the bill. There are several to choose from, from $100 on up. Setting it by the conductor would probably capture all the instruments, especially if the room is treated.

I agree with this. Zoom, Tascam, Sony, Yamaha and other brands to choose from. Small and simple. As noted, room placement will be key no matter what equipment you end up using.

 

[lxskllr]

I was at a Dead show once, and there was a guy wearing a cowboy hat with two mics on top of the brim. One on each side. Holes were cut in the brim to run the wires down to a tape deck he was wearing.

I'd do that.

 

[Markbnj]

There are so many different ways you can set this up, but the absolute cheapest is probably two digital recorders or smart-phones with good audio capture. Put them in different parts of the hall (you can experiment using just someone on stage speaking or singing) and start them recording. Upload the resulting audio files and use Audacity to make a stereo track from them.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

laptop is step one ... should be free

Step two is to go to a Phish fan site and see how they do recordings of shows.

You probably need two mics. Where to place them spatially and what models to choose are what the Phish sites can probably tell you.

suspended from ceiling 10 feet above the ground at 50 feet out is what comes to mind.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how...-Address&q=how+to+do+a+live+recording&spell=1

Pretty much this. Most recordings of orchestras are just done with 2-3 pairs of stereo mics, floating in the air above the stage about 10-15 rows back. Smaller groups can get away with a single pair. (And it's cheaper!)

I've used the Zoom H2 and similar recorders before, and they are very good up to a point, and very good for the cost. I would have given my left nut for that kind of making-an-audition-tape-in-a-practice-room capability in college. I was very shortsighted and impulsive in college. But spending a little more money on microphones and a quality preamp can have a pretty positive impact on the overall sound quality. Even if you're on a budget.

At the moment I'm using a pair of AT2020s and a Focusrite 2i2. Not top of the line by any means, but for the ~$400 or so I spent on them (Clearanace Sales!), they're definitely worth it vs. a $200 Zoom H2. I haven't tried them myself, but some people I know swear by Oktavas and get very good results.

For cables I just buy a bunch from Monoprice and throw out any that buzz. I go through a couple pairs a year, but they're cheap.

The key is to try some mics - drag your mom to a Guitar Center or something and make her play into a half dozen or so models before you pick one.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

There are so many different ways you can set this up, but the absolute cheapest is probably two digital recorders or smart-phones with good audio capture. Put them in different parts of the hall (you can experiment using just someone on stage speaking or singing) and start them recording. Upload the resulting audio files and use Audacity to make a stereo track from them.

 

[Markbnj]

Haha. Anyway, I don't think you can stand mics up at separation and pre-amp them for a couple of hundred bucks. My m-audio pre-amp was like $150 by itself. Decent mics are going to be at least $50 apiece, and those will suck. Stands you can get cheap. Cables you can't skimp on because you'll get noise. So those are going to cost at least $50 for both.

 

[SearchMaster]

I was at a Dead show once, and there was a guy wearing a cowboy hat with two mics on top of the brim. One on each side. Holes were cut in the brim to run the wires down to a tape deck he was wearing.

I'd do that.

Definitely this, because I want to see what kind of looks you get showing up to the symphony in a cowboy hat

 

[TonyG]

At that price, I would look into renting some basic equipment to do this, just look for any A/V rental companies in your area and be upfront with what you have to spend and what you are wanting to do.
Another option, are you a regular member of a church? If so, they might loan you some equipment or ask for a modest donation in exchange, as many of the larger churches have some rather nice A/V equipment and usually at least one person who knows how to run it and might be willing to help out.

 

[JulesMaximus]

A little clarification, I'm in California and she lives in Florida so this is something she would need to handle completely once the equipment is purchased.

I suggested Guitar Center as a place she visit to see what they have. I also recommended Musician's Friend. I'll do some research and see what they have online.

I was thinking something like this.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/portable-field-recorders/tascam-dr-05-solid-state-recorder

 

[Humpy]

I think some are missing that this will be mom using the equipment right?

Setting up a laptop, preamps, multiple mics, cables, and stands, then processing in software, is pretty (ridiculously) far-fetched for someone who probably wants to focus on playing the oboe in the symphony. The other members would be unlikely to appreciate all that fuss during a performance or rehearsal.

Edit: Wizard^^^.

 

[JulesMaximus]

With decent placement and low ambient noise, I would imagine that a Zoom Handy Portable Digital recorder would fit the bill. There are several to choose from, from $100 on up. Setting it by the conductor would probably capture all the instruments, especially if the room is treated.

I think this is probably the best bet too. I'll recommend that but I'm sure she has some ideas on where to place it too. I believe the hall is just a rec center or church or something like that. Not sure on the acoustics of the hall, probably not great.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think some are missing that this will be mom using the equipment right?

Setting up a laptop, preamps, multiple mics, cables, and stands, then processing in software, is pretty (ridiculously) far-fetched for someone who probably wants to focus on playing the oboe in the symphony. The other members would be unlikely to appreciate all that fuss during a performance or rehearsal.

:thumbsup: Yeah, Mom is the one using the equipment so laptops, preamps and multiple mics isn't going to happen. This needs to be a set it and forget it device. She isn't going to be able to mess with it once it is set recording because she is going to be busy performing.

 

[lxskllr]

I think some are missing that this will be mom using the equipment right?

Setting up a laptop, preamps, multiple mics, cables, and stands, then processing in software, is pretty (ridiculously) far-fetched for someone who probably wants to focus on playing the oboe in the symphony. The other members would be unlikely to appreciate all that fuss during a performance or rehearsal.

Edit: Wizard^^^.

She could wear the cowboy hat.

 

[TonyG]

If it's in a church, can she find out who normally handles the audio for the church? If so, have her contact him and see if they would be willing to come in and record the performance for her. Even if she had to pay the person a $100, it would be better quality and she should be able to leave at the end of it with a CD.

 

[SearchMaster]

She could wear the cowboy hat.

Once again, lxskllr with the only proper solution.

Can we now argue whether the cowboy hat is black and blue or gold and white?

 

[JulesMaximus]

If it's in a church, can she find out who normally handles the audio for the church? If so, have her contact him and see if they would be willing to come in and record the performance for her. Even if she had to pay the person a $100, it would be better quality and she should be able to leave at the end of it with a CD.

I think she wants it mainly so she can listen back to it and also to send copies to friends and family to listen to. She has received many compliments from her peers on her performances and is enjoying this so she would like to share. She has also been asked to play first chair in some of these performances.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

:thumbsup: Yeah, Mom is the one using the equipment so laptops, preamps and multiple mics isn't going to happen. This needs to be a set it and forget it device. She isn't going to be able to mess with it once it is set recording because she is going to be busy performing.

If nobody's going to "drive" and there isn't somebody there to help with setup, then the Zoom H2 or similar would necessary. Most of them also mount on a camera tripod, so you don't need a dedicated mic stand.

I wouldn't put it too close to the orchestra - you'll hear the concertmaster farting. Give it 10-15 feet at least.

 

[DigDog]

in a hurry so not reading anything

if your mom (heheh) just wants to record herself for training purposes, any mindisk / tascam / cellphone will do. pick one.

if she wants to have a copy of her performance to show, she needs to get the audio from a source in the listening area, not in the middle of the orchestra. it would not sound good taken from inside.

the hall she plays in probably already has a recording setup. just get the sound guy to turn on the microphones and hand her the feed cable. or just ask him to give you a copy of the recording.

otherwise, there is simply no cheap method of recording orchestra. i'd go as far as to say that recording orchestra is THE most expensive recording operation you can do. just ask frank zappa.

(ECM does it with two microphones. if you are ok with buying two two-grand mics, cables, phanto di, mixers, and some recording unit, plus power units for the above, help yourself)

 

[x26]

A little clarification, I'm in California and she lives in Florida so this is something she would need to handle completely once the equipment is purchased.

I suggested Guitar Center as a place she visit to see what they have. I also recommended Musician's Friend. I'll do some research and see what they have online.

I was thinking something like this.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/portable-field-recorders/tascam-dr-05-solid-state-recorder

That Tascam would work well--She would have to place it where the Mix would be good.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That Tascam would work well--She would have to place it where the Mix would be good.

I talked to her last night and it turns out she already has that Tascam recorder. She said her husband (my Step Father) has been using it to record but he has been keeping it in his pocket during the concert... He also shuts it off and forgets to turn it back on so she was missing half the performance. Sounds like user error to me.

I told her she should place it near the conductor and just let it record everything.

Anyway, problem solved.