Recording Orchestra and Other Classical Music Ensembles explores techniques and methodologies specific to recording classical music. Whether a newcomer or a seasoned engineer looking to refine their skills, this book speaks to all levels of expertise and covers every aspect of recording symphonic and concerto repertoire, opera, chamber music, and solo piano.
With a focus on the orchestra as an instrument and sound source, this book features sections on how to listen, understanding microphones, concert halls, orchestra seating arrangements, how to set up the monitoring environment, and how to approach recording each section of the orchestra. Recording Orchestra provides concise information on preparing for a recording session, the role of the producer, mixing techniques, and includes a "quick-start" reference guide with suggested setups aimed at helping introduce the reader to the recording process.
A companion website, featuring audio examples of various techniques, reinforces concepts discussed throughout the book.
The content of the book includes:
Clear, practical advice in plain language from an expert in classical music recording, multiple Grammy award winning recording engineer, and university professor
The "secret of recording": a collection of practical recording techniques that have been proven to be highly successful in the field, on many occasions
Never before published information written by an industry veteran with over twenty five-years of experience in classical music recording
Specific techniques and strategies for recording orchestra, opera, wind symphony, chorus, string quartet, and other common classical music ensembles.
Acknowledgements
Preface
Part 1: Getting Started
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 How to Listen: Loudspeakers, headphones, and listening environment
Chapter 3 Understanding Microphones
Part 2: Recording Orchestra
Chapter 4 The Orchestra and its various iterations
Chapter 5 The Hall, and how to deal with it
Chapter 6 Main microphone systems - How to record it
Chapter 7 - Recording Strings
Chapter 8 Recording Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion
Chapter 9 - Recording Harp, Piano, Celeste and Organ
Chapter 10 Recording Orchestra and Chorus
Part 3: Variations on a Theme
Chapter 11 Recording Concertos - balancing solo instruments with orchestra
Chapter 12 Recording Solo Voice and Orchestra
Part 4: The Recording Session
Chapter 13 The Role of the producer in classical music recording
Chapter 14 How to carry out a successful recording session
Chapter 15 Live Concerts, Live Opera and productions with Video
Part 5: Other Challenges in Classical Recording
Chapter 16 Recording Chamber Orchestra
Chapter 17 Recording String Quartet
Chapter 18 Recording piano with other instruments - violin, cello, voice, etc.
Chapter 19 Recording solo piano
Part 6: Post Production
Chapter 20 Editing
Chapter 21 Mixing
Chapter 22 Final assembly and Mastering
Part 7: Multi-channel Recording and Mixing
Chapter 23 Multi-channel recording: How to listen in surround
Chapter 24 How to record and mix for surround sound
Appendix A: Quick Start Guides, by ensemble
A.1 Orchestra Quick Start guide
A.2 Chorus Quick Start guide
A.3 Chamber Orchestra Quick Start guide
A.4 String Quartet Quick Start guide
A.5 Piano and Other Instruments Quick Start guide
A.6 Solo Piano Quick Start guide
Index
