Audio Recording
In the classroom, studio, and concert hall
Presented at the 2008 ASTA conference, Albuquerque, NM

Download the presentation slides (4.3 MB, PDF)
Presentation Description:
This presentation will cover the basics of live stereo recording of an ensemble or soloist. The topics presented will be basic recording terminology, equipment choices (including choosing recording devices, microphones and media) as well stereo microphone techniques.

Goals:
  • present recording equipment and options
  • present microphone techniques to obtain higher quality recordings of groups and individuals
  • present ideas for orchestra directors and studio teachers to on how to use audio recordings for post-performance assessment and/or of individual students for recorded auditions

Audio Recording Links
(click on a topic below)

Online Retailers

Sweetwater - a great online retailer with sales professionals who are willing to help you and go the extra mile
B&H Photo/Video - another great place to purchase gear
Musician's Friend - carries almost everything you will need.
Guitar Center - this isn't a web store, but will help you find the local store.

Special Merchants

Mic Supply - a site devoted to live recording. Carries some necessary accessories, etc. that most of the big stores don't. Some good articles too. Mic Supply carries special stand adapters for photography light stands.
Amvona - a place to purchase inexpensive, but good quality light stands for stage recording. They have an eBay store too.
Hosa Cables - to find that "hard to find" cable

Microphone/Recording Techniques

You need a little knowledge and lots of experimentation!
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/feb97/stereomiking.html

http://www.kellyindustries.com/articles/stereo_miking_techniques.html

http://www.tape.com/techinfo/mics.html

http://www.midwestclinic.org/recording101/

http://www.dpamicrophones.com/ (click on microphone university)

http://home.sprintmail.com/~markgriswold/articles/stereo/stereo.htm

http://www.xowave.com/doc/recording/mic-pair.shtml

http://www.tape.com/Bartlett_Articles/stereo_recording_procedures.html

Microphone Manufacturers

Rode Mics - my personal favorite, lots of bang for the buck!
CAD
Shure
Audio Technica
Neumann
DPA - very high end brand, but excellent quality

Stereo Mics
Rode NT-4 ($480) - can be battery powered and works with video cameras
Audio-Technica AT822 ($299) - can be battery powered and works with video cameras
Audio-Technica AT825 ($370)
Shure VP88 ($699)

Stereo Pairs
Rode NT-5 ($400)
Samson C02 ($120)
Studio Projects C4 ($400)
Shure KSM137/SL ($599)

Recording Software

Multi-Platform
Audacity - a free program for Mac or PC. Lots of great features.
LAME encoder - if you want to use Audacity to compress your recordings to MP3, you'll need this plug-in

Mac Specific
Garageband - a great program that comes on every Mac or as a part of the iLife suite
Peak LE - a great two track audio editor. The full version of Peak is what many pros use.
Amadeus Pro - an inexpensive 2 track editor, an upgrade from Audacity
Logic Express - a high-end multitrack program. The full version of Logic (Studio) is what many pros use.

Recording Terminology

http://www.tape.com/Bartlett_Articles/recording_terms.html
http://recordingeq.com/reflib.html

Handheld Digital Audio Recorders

These handy devices are ultra-portable and record to memory cards. Once your audio is captured, simply transfer the files to your computer via USB.

Click here for a comparison of these cool devices. The information is available on my podcasting site.

Larger Recording Devices

Large, Yet Portable Devices
Superscope -- there are several models of these (features and prices vary) which allow you record to CD and slow down your recordings. A very handy built in feature for listening or practicing an excerpt slowly, all without changing the pitch (portable, but not handheld) ~ prices vary depending on features

Tascam HD-P2 -- compact digital recorder which records to CompactFlash memory (portable but, not handheld) ~ $999

Studio Equipment (larger, non portable devices)
HHB CDR-830 BurnIt - a high quality stand alone CD burner (studio equipment) ~ $500

Alesis Masterlink -- a professional hard disk recorder which allow you to edit and master your recordings "in the box", burns CD's of your recordings (studio equipment) ~ $700

Audio Interfaces for Mac/PC

There are many audio interfaces on the market now. Some are USB and some are FireWire. They vary greatly in price, and start at about $40.

Depending on how many mics/instruments you use will depend on how complex of an interface you want.

A list of USB audio interfaces, listed by price

A list of Firewire audio interfaces, listed by price

USB Microphones

USB Microphones are handy for recording your voice or other mono sound sources. They don't replace a real microphone set-up.

Blue Icicle - turns any microphone into a USB microphone

MXL MicMate - turns any microphone into a USB microphone

Blue SnowBall - a neat USB mic from a reputable company

Samson C01U - the first USB mic on the market

Alesis USB Mic

Rode Podcaster USB Mic

A list of USB Microphones