General Asylum

General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

Return to General Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Microphone placement comparison for Orchestra Instruments

76.182.98.191
Posted on April 15, 2021 at 14:02:24
jimschffr
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: North Carolina
Joined: May 27, 2020
 You may be interested in this rather remarkable, interactive website that provides a comparison of different microphone positions for orchestra instruments.

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
Yes - That's VERY interesting, posted on April 16, 2021 at 12:12:40
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26483
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012
 I've watched only the main, introductory video. Things can get a lot more complicated when you're recording more than one instrument at a time, or more complicated yet with a whole orchestra at a time. My preference is for the fewest microphones possible for any given recording (even though mistakes in microphone placement can be pretty disastrous using this minimal microphone method) - although I admit that some of the recent recordings (say, in the last ten years) made with more microphones can also sound excellent. I'm basically talking about large-scale orchestral classical recordings.

 

RE: Yes - That's VERY interesting, posted on April 17, 2021 at 08:53:44
jimschffr
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: North Carolina
Joined: May 27, 2020
 Thank you for the comment. Yes, it is quite interesting and I have enjoyed looking at the many various outcomes on the site.

I certainly agree with your preference for fewer mics rather than more, all things being equal. I do not have much experience with commercial recordings, only having made about six in my career. These were all done live with my opera company where the placement of the mics is limited by preserving sightlines for the audiences. You then have the challenges of balance between the orchestra in a pit and the singers who are constantly moving about. Still, with some judicious post-production mixing, a reasonable result can be achieved.

 

Decca Tree, posted on April 18, 2021 at 16:07:57
LtMandella
 Has anyone surpassed the Decca Tree? If so I have not heard it.

 

Page processed in 0.026 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]