linzq Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Hello, I am a classical singer, and I currently record all of my practice sessions on my MZ-NHF800. I have an ECM-MS907 mic, which works quite well for me. I would like to record a session with me and a pianist to create an audition CD for my master's degree. I was wondering if any of you minidisc-veterans had any suggestions for what settings to use? I currently DO NOT use the manual volume control, (it scares me) ... would it make a big difference to the sound quality? I find that now I have virtually no problems with using auto. Also, any ideas for the best placement of the mic? I will be singing in a church, with lovely acoustics - and I'm just wondering how far away the mic should be. I'd really appreciate any suggestions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classicalnut Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Hope this helps. I too have the 800. Please experiment with the manual volume it will make a difference. I record my church choir and several other choirs all the time and mike placement varies from locations. Also experiment with the mike placement. Depending on the acoustics and the piano also experiment with where you stand in relation to the piano. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Linzq, you will definitely have to experiment, since every room and situation is different, but here are a few settings to try out for starters. If they work, use them. If not, feel free to ignore them. The only criterion is what works for you in your situation. I often record loud music with Auto, but classical has more dynamic subtleties that you might be better off capturing with Manual. Suggestion for Manual volume: Go into Record Volume and then Manual and use the volume control to set it to 12/30. That may be too low, but it will give you plenty of headroom, and classical music needs it. Set the Mic Sensitivity on Low. I find that High can overload and also gives a kind of warts-and-all sound, while lowering the sensitivity gets rid of distracting threshold noises--breathing, pages turning, etc. For placement, you want to put the mic where an ideal listener would be. That's probably in the front row close to where you're singing, where most of what the mic will pick up will be direct sound. The further back you go, the more natural reverb the mic will pick up, which will make you sound fuller but blurrier. Similarly, if it's right in your face you're not going to get the room's natural warmth. Perhaps you could have the pianist play solo while you listen and record in various places in the church, and see what sounds best to you. Try closing your eyes as you listen to avoid visual cues. If you aren't going to have time to make your own tests before recording, but there are other concerts in that church, take the MD along and record some tests that way. You can try the Rec Volume and Mic Sensitivity settings during your own practice sessions to see how they affect the sound. Record part of the session with Manual, then stop the recording and let it revert to Auto, and see how the difference sounds to you. Remember, every time you Stop you're going to have to go back into the menus and reset to Manual. Above all, don't worry. If you're in a room with good acoustics, that's 90% of the battle right there, so you've got a great start toward making a recording you'll like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linzq Posted November 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Thanks so much, that is a big help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjsilva Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Hi linzq, As someone who has done only classical recording of solo piano and piano with <other instrument/voice>, in addition to using the 907 when I first starting using MD, I recommend the following for the best results: - Use manual recording. After positioning the microphone (more below), adjust the recording level by telling the pianist to strike various chords or octaves as loud as they can. Set it so that the loudest piano strike will either just light up the last level bar on your NH800 or the one below (not less than that). If you set the balance between the piano and your voice properly you won't need to check your singing. Next, check the loudest sections of the pieces you'll be playing with your singing and adjust if necessary. - Don't put the microphone more than 5-7 feet away from you and the piano, otherwise the sound will be distant and lack a lot of fulness in the piano (particuarly with the 907)! I recommend you stand to the right of the piano keyboard, putting the microphone at a triangle position in relation to you and the curve of the piano at about 5-7 feet from the piano (adjustments in exact position of the mic and yourself necessary for balance). You will loose some room reverberation, but I have found that to be a limitation of your setup - plus, I am sure you'll be pleased with the sound anyway. Make sure the piano lid is open, short stick if necessary. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjsilva Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Oh, and low sensitivity for the microphone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linzq Posted November 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Have any of you had problems picking up the lower dynamic ranges when using manual recording? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I never have problems, even with a mic like the Sony MS907. The recording's dynamic range is usually far higher than ambient noise in a space will even allow. When I started using my revo 7.1 for 24bit recording, I realised that the only real limitations I faced were the quality of the mics, the noise floor/headroom of the preamps [a mackie VLZ board], and how quiet I could make things in my apartment. It's easily possible to turn up a recording I've made of solo acoustic guitar until the computer's fan, about 15' away behind baffling, can be heard clear as a bell. Eve the lowest-end standard MD equipment I've used still exceeded limit imposed by the inherent ambient noise level of the recording location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linzq Posted November 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 thanks Dex, that's just what I needed to hear... What mic would you recommend, instead of the 907? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I'm currently most curious about the sound professionals "copy" of the ms907.. better specs. I am a big fan of M/S Stereo mics - they're a good compromise in terms of versatility and sound quality. There's really nothing wrong with the 907, though. You can just do better for the same price, looking at some of the mic sites out there. http://www.reactive.com and http://www.soundprofessionals.com are good places to look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linzq Posted November 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Aha, thanks. Seeing as I've already paid for the 907, I think I'm out of luck. I think I'll remember your advice for next time though, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I've done quite a bit of recording with 907s - from dialogue recording to close-mic'ing instruments to ambient field recording to foley/sound effects recording.. and found that compared with the older equipment I was more accustomed to, even with the limits imposed by its performance specs, the results pretty much always outdid my expectations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjsilva Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Like dex, I found the 907 to be surprisingly good. I later purchased an AT822 (audio technica) and found that to have a better sound, though I loved the 907's portability. Recently I've become interested in getting the Rode NT4 or 5, along with a tube mic preamp - further limiting my easy portability, also more expensive. I suspect, if anything, you'll have a better dynamic range using manual recording - assuming you set the levels as high as possible (without clipping, of course). Your dynamic range will be limited if you set the levels too low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linzq Posted November 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 Tests last night with all of these considerations (manual rec volume, etc.) went VERY well! Thanks all for your advice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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