AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
|
| Week 2 |
 |
|
1. Express the types of music typically played by an orchestra?
2. List the instruments that may be used in classical music?
3. Group some combinations of instruments that are used in classical music?
4. How are voices combined with instruments in classical music?
5. Where is classical music generally recorded?
6. Who might be involved in classical music recording?
7. n/a
8. What abilities and qualifications would you think a classical music recording engineer need?
9. Discuss the working conditions of a classical music recording session.
10. Discuss the working conditions of a live classical music recording.
11. Discuss the way classical musicians work.
12. What is "The fixer" in classical music recording?
13. What types of equipment are used in classical recording?
14. Where is the equipment set up for a session or live recording?
15. How does the producer communicate with the conductor or performers in a session recording?
16. Does the producer communicate with the conductor or performers in a live recording?
17. What does the producer do during a recording session?
18. What does the assistant producer do in a recording session?
19. What does the producer do during a live recording?
20. How does the producer prepare for a recording session?
21. How does the recording engineer prepare for a recording session?
22. How do orchestral musicians prepare for a recording session?
23. What limitations are there for the producer in a live recording?
24. What limitations are there for the recording engineer in live recording?
25. Does a live recording of classical music require a PA system?
26. Are there any additional problems caused if a live recording is also recorded on video or broadcast on television?
27. How are microphones set up for solo instruments?
28. How is a microphone set up for solo voice?
29. How are microphones set up for chamber ensembles?
30. How are microphones set up for orchestral music?
31. How are microphones set up for music for chorus and orchestra?
32. How are microphones set up for opera?
33. How are microphones set up for a live recording of opera?
34. Is classical music recording straight into stereo or onto multitrack?
35. If a multitrack recording is made of classical music, what format will be used?
36. Describe the conduct of a recording session.
37. Describe rehearse/record.
38. Describe the conduct of a live recording.
39. How much editing is involved in classical music recording?
40. How are decisions taken on the selection of takes and edit points?
41. Who performs classical music editing?
42. What equipment is commonly used for classical music editing?
43. What problems are commonly found in editing classical music?
44. Are processors and effects such as compression/reverb/gating etc. ever used in classical music recording?
45. Discuss some of the technical difficulties associated with editing classical music such as this?
46. Often a digital reverb unit can be utilised for recording classical music for broadcast? Why is that?.
47. Indicate some administrative functions that a classical music producer or assistant producer might do in a classical recoding session.
48. Classical music recoding venues often differ from say pop recording venues. Briefly discuss some of the differences.
49. Orchestral harps, (besides the sound of the strings) can be tricky to record, why is that?
50. Would you think a compressor would be used in classical music recording? Discuss your answer.
_________________
It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
Last edited by AUdIoCoUrSeS on Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:21 pm |
|
|
electrosushi
Tape Op
Joined: 31 Oct 2006
Posts: 21
|
|
|
|
1. Express the types of music typically played by an orchestra?
- An Orchestra is an ensemble of people divided in groups, Woodwinds, Brass, Strings and Percussion; therefore, it is not limited to a single style of music. It can be used for Film Scoring, Classical music, Opera and also popular music. (source Wikipedia)
2. List the instruments that may be used in classical music?
Classical music performed by an orchestra wood requires the use of the typical orchestra’s instruments, divided in their 4 groups we can find Flutes, Accordions, Trumpets, Trombones, Tubas, Violins, Cellos, Bass Cellos and Drums, Timpani's, Drums and Cymbals. (source Wikipedia)
3. Group some combinations of instruments that are used in classical music?
As above, the orchestra is normally divided in 4 categories of instruments, the Woodwinds where there are accordions, flutes, oboes and clarinets; Brass with trumpets, Trombones and Tubas; Strings which include violins, cellos, pianos and harps; Percussion with snares, drums, cymbals. (source Wikipedia)
4. How are voices combined with instruments in classical music?
Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Bass (source Wikipedia)
5. Where is classical music generally recorded?
In the case of philharmonic orchestra, the number of musician would certainly represent the main problem; I believe that in these cases the recordings take place in large studios or theaters. Sometimes recordings are especially taken in particular theaters/venues in order to recreate particular sound situations.
6. Who might be involved in classical music recording?
I suppose Audio Engineers with an extensive knowledge of microphones in order to choose the best for each instrument and role.
7. n/a
8. What abilities and qualifications would you think a classical music recording engineer need?
Very sensitive earring, knowledge of how the particular instruments which are in the orchestra and a high level degree in Audio Engineering.
9. Discuss the working conditions of a classical music recording session.
When recording an orchestra, the Engineer should focus on the sounds of the all orchestra and as well on the sound of each specific component. Unlike working for on a band project, mostly the Director psychologically sustains the orchestra and this would live more space to the Engineer for focusing on sound.
10. Discuss the working conditions of a live classical music recording.
In a live orchestra situation, I think what would have major importance is the number of microphones used, this requires a very careful handling and placing of the mics all across the orchestra.
What would matter is to capture beside of the sound also the ambience.
11. Discuss the way classical musicians work.
A classical musician bases his work on tabs, which need to be followed closely, it is all based on music written by a composer who would want its creation to sound exactly like the sheet specifies it.
Every classical musician performs parts of songs, which are cut for the instrument played.
12. What is "The fixer" in classical music recording?
The Fixer is delegated member of the orchestra in charge of discuss sensitive issues with the players. (Source www.solwaysinfonia.org.uk)
13. What types of equipment are used in classical recording?
I would start naming the microphones, condensers, pre-amps, console mixing desks, monitors, compressors, equalizers, amplifiers, reverb units, 24 tracks... plus the actual orchestra.
14. Where is the equipment set up for a session or live recording?
Mics are normally specifically placed, recording equipment would be in a separate room. (source www.audiocourses.com)
15. How does the producer communicate with the conductor or performers in a session recording?
By communicating on his headphones, from the control room.
16. Does the producer communicate with the conductor or performers in a live recording?
Yes, via a wired radio system, each musician can be informed about specific information, it would be a 1 channel conversation as the musician could not reply back.
17. What does the producer do during a recording session?
The Producer, in the control room, monitors the microphones levels in order to follow as close as possible the dynamic environment of the play.
18. What does the assistant producer do in a recording session?
A person working as Assistant Producer would be providing assistance to the Producer by keeping managed the rehearsal time table, adjusting microphones positions and advise other studio personnel of possible changes. (source www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au)
19. What does the producer do during a live recording?
Stay in the control room where all the signals picked up by the microphones are processed; the Producer would monitor closely all the console parameters following the play.
20. How does the producer prepare for a recording session?
A Producer would be responsible for choosing the right location of the session, create the list of songs and order on which they should be performed. Choosing the musicians, finding the funds to finance the project
21. How does the recording engineer prepare for a recording session?
Arrange the disposing of the musician in the studio, making sure that all the equipment needed is in good working order and can be placed in the supposed spots, making sure that the right type of equipment is use, test prior the session all the signal levels and learn what will be performed during the session.
22. How do orchestral musicians prepare for a recording session?
Each of them has the role of focusing on their instruments making sure that the instrument will be in the best shape possible and learn the sheet of music.
23. What limitations are there for the producer in a live recording?
The producer should not act as a director, should show enthusiasm and transmit this to the people involved in the project; the producer is responsible of making sure that the funds are right for the project so it can be assumed that money may be a limitation for a producer as more money are involved, the best would result the quality of the project.
24. What limitations are there for the recording engineer in live recording?
The recording engineer is limited to monitor the situation, in other words an engineer would closely follow that all the instruments and recording equipment are doing their job. There shouldn’t be advices from the engineer to the director about how to play a certain piece.
25. Does a live recording of classical music require a PA system?
Generally no, but in case of voices in the orchestra and in certain locations, microphones can be used and therefore a PA system would be necessary
26. Are there any additional problems caused if a live recording is also recorded on video or broadcast on television?
Well I presume that by filming an orchestra performing a concert the noise of the audience would be kept in consideration and as the signal would have to be broadcasted, a different mix may be necessary for the television standards.
27. How are microphones set up for solo instruments?
Normal instrument would generally require 1 microphone for each player, a solo instrument may have more then 1 microphone to pick up tones more carefully.
28. How is a microphone set up for solo voice?
I presume that a condenser mic on a shock mount would be necessary to obtain the best results in terms of sound quality. In live circumstances, the microphone in front of a singer should be seen the least possible.
29. How are microphones set up for chamber ensembles?
As chamber music is intended for an audience placed in a specific place in the room, there are several techniques aimed to record these ensembles, they use stereo or mono microphones depending by the technique and they are mostly located in front of the musicians. (source www.tape.com)
30. How are microphones set up for orchestral music?
This type of recording would involve a big number of microphones and consequently different types of set ups
31. How are microphones set up for music for chorus and orchestra?
The orchestra would follow its microphones disposition while the chorus is recorded with a stereo microphone in order to catch the amplitude of the chorus.
32. How are microphones set up for opera?
Again, the orchestra would be laid out with its own individual mics, thee would be additional mics for the singers, again they should be the most invisible possible
33. How are microphones set up for a live recording of opera?
Live recordings involve microphones also for the audience, beside of the individual microphones and group microphones.
34. Is classical music recording straight into stereo or onto multitrack?
Multitrack
35. If a multitrack recording is made of classical music, what format will be used?
I presume DAT
36. Describe the conduct of a recording session.
As the number of musician is quiet large, it is essential to practice the piece at least once before the recording
37. Describe rehearse/record.
The rehearse would be done before the recording, possibly the orchestra would go through some pieces of the play, mostly it would be a synchronization attempt aimed to help the musicians familiarize.
38. Describe the conduct of a live recording.
Before the actual start, the players must make sure to tune their instruments, then once that the recording has started it would be 1 take only.
39. How much editing is involved in classical music recording?
When producing studio recordings, some post production would be useful to either re-process parts or adding effects to some tracks
40. How are decisions taken on the selection of takes and edit points?
I believe that such decisions should be taken by the engineer who monitored the session as he knows where there may by some points that need attention, but agreed with the director and producer
41. Who performs classical music editing?
I presume the engineer.
42. What equipment is commonly used for classical music editing?
Monitors, mixing console, 24 track, possibly a computer with some software effects.
43. What problems are commonly found in editing classical music?
I think that in classical music reverb is a key feature, giving different “views” of a recording.
44. Are processors and effects such as compression/reverb/gating etc. ever used in classical music recording?
Yes, they can help improve the sound or modify it to the taste of the producer/engineer
45. Discuss some of the technical difficulties associated with editing classical music such as this?
Classical music is aimed to the pureness of the sound, problems may occurred when the actual sound loses its naturality caused by adding effects. Also the large number of microphones used may be a problem in ping pong effects.
46. Often a digital reverb unit can be utilized for recording classical music for broadcast? Why is that?.
The reverb would wet the sound and make it more real and create the ambience when broadcasted and passed to a generic television’s speakers.
47. Indicate some administrative functions that a classical music producer or assistant producer might do in a classical recoding session.
They would involve activities such as finding and dealing with the studio/location, contracting the musicians/orchestra, hire additional personnel.
48. Classical music recoding venues often differ from say pop recording venues. Briefly discuss some of the differences.
A classical recording venue would be big enough to host an orchestra, equipped with different types materials aimed to obtain a specific sound behavior, different then a pop music set up.
49. Orchestral harps, (besides the sound of the strings) can be tricky to record, why is that?
This would be a matter of groups, they would be placed there because they belong to the strings session. I think that the major problem is represented by the harps: in order to record an harp the mic would have to be placed to a certain distance where sometime it can pick up also unwanted sounds from let’s say the violins. (source: www.thesession.org)
50. Would you think a compressor would be used in classical music recording? Discuss your answer.
A compressor can help in situations where an orchestra has some problems of having some instruments much louder than others or for some singers to fit right in the recording.
Even though classical music should remain as much as possible faithful to the naturality of sounds, a compressor could help in the post production, making the sound more natural when broadcasted by the speakers. |
|
Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:13 pm |
|
|
|
|
AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
|
| Answers |
|
|
Some good work here, I can see you invested some time in the assignment.
Seems you have covered most things very well. Possibly though DAT might not be the option for mastering classical music these day.
Personally I'd use a hard drive of some sort, some kind of portable solution which is not tape based but immediate access.
We can pick up any areas in the Live Workshop for discussion.
_________________
It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
|
|
Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:23 pm |
|
|
 
|
|
All times are GMT. The time now is Sat May 17, 2008 4:24 am
|
|
|
|
| |
