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processing of sound files after recordingDate: September 4, 2012 by Bryan Butler  Views: 1390
i'm looking on advice on what software processing steps to do after recording a live choral concert.
equipment is 2 Schoeps CMC6 mics, with cardiod capsules (i have omnis also, just prefer the cardiods), set on a single 15' boom in roughlyu ORTF configuration (i've tried X-Y also, with about the same results), fed into a Sound Devices 722 recorder.
i'm editing with audacity, which i really like, and have been toying with various filters, and am wondering what experience others have with this? in the past i've done a simple low pass filter (around 100 Hz) and high pass filter (around 10 kHz), along with a pop/click removal, and the results have been pretty good. but in editing one of our performances last week i ran into a situation where i really had to boost the bass and treble with respect to the mid frequencies in order to get what sounded to my ear similar to what had happened at the performance (Carol Barnett's Bluegrass Mass, the instrumental interlude, was what forced my hand, as i could barely hear the double bass and proper mix of other instruments without that boost).
so, for those that record and edit live choral performances, what do you usually do in post-performance editing/filtering?
Jack Curtis Dubowsky on September 5, 2012 8:09am
Hi Bryan! I worked for many years as a recording engineer ( see http://albumcredits.com/Profile/72421 ) and I have a a few basic suggestions.
1. USE YOUR EARS. Don't presume that things need to be EQ'd or left alone. If it sounds good, it's good, leave it alone. If it doesn't sound good, it's not, fix it. This requires some confidence. Just because you are using Schoeps microphones, does not mean that the recording is pristine. It still can be fuzz or dull (might be the room!). So much has to do with mic placement and the sound of the room. Oh ok...
2. So much has to do with the mic placement or the sound of the room. So don't be surprised if you need to brighten it, or remove that low end to get rid of room rumble.
3. Compare to other recordings of the same genre that you like. If you are using non-destructive editing / EQing / compressing, you can always redo your processing.
4. Listen to your work in a VARIETY of environments. If you're just listening on headphones, listen in your car. If you're only listening in your car, listen on a BIG home system. The idea is that it SHOULD SOUND ACCEPTABLE EVERYWHERE. If the bass blows the speakers in any one system, it's probably too much bass.
5. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH NATURAL NOISE. Don't worry about the natural room tone or sound of the room or people coughing. That's reality. It's cool. Let it sound like a real recording. Don't worry about noises from the natural acoustic environment.
6. That said, buzz or "60 cycle hum" is generally not cool. If that is not a concern, if your recordings do not have that, yay!
7. Compression. I'm not even going to talk about this here. It's such a huge topic. But if I were to discuss compression, I would again suggest you listen to other recordings. For choral concert music, you do not want to hear a compressor "working," if it's needed, it should be, at best, absolutely transparent. If you do not understand this, just forget I made a #7.
8. USE YOUR EARS. Did I mention this one?
9. Oh, you were asking what I do? As in me? It depends on the recording. It's not about me. Or you. It's about the recording and what the recording needs. Again, if it doesn't need anything, just leave it be!
10. Take all audio advice with a grain of salt. Oh yes, and...
11. DON'T MAKE ANYTHING DISTORT. Unless you want to go for that goth-industrial choral sound that's all the rage today. ;)
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on September 5, 2012 8:26am
Oh. And one more little trick. Great with digital audio editors. If theres a bad p-pop (plosive), or if an air-conditioner turns on midway through the recording, etc etc, you can automate your filters / EQ / compressor / volume. You don't need to process an entire audio file to fix a problem that only occurs in a few spots.
on October 7, 2012 5:43pm
Hello Bryan,
I record full-time with a wide variety of choral groups. Good questions, and kudos to your for trying it all out.
Your goal should be able to make the recording with as little processing as possible. Maybe with just a low-cut filter and some reverb. If you find yourself needing to do a lot, try a new mic placement.
Good luck!
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