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Recording Equipment


CatholicCid

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CatholicCid

I've been asked to help purchase recording equipment for my Church choir. The budget is more so a "Give us a list, we'll let you know" type of deal.

 

 

The main recording area will be the local Church, from the choir loft. It is an older Church, marble flooring, cruciform shape. They do not have any microphones in the loft as the sound reverberates well enough on it's own. 

 

The equipment will be used to record choral and chant pieces, though there is, on rare occasion, instruments in use beside the organ. 

 

For microphones, I am thinking 1-2 (small schola size) omnidirectional condensers that would hang above the choir with stands. Any suggestions?

 

As to boards, I haven't a clue. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

 

Edit - The organ can cover the whole scale and is situated with speakers behind the choir and on the opposite end of the Church.

Edited by CatholicCid
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Nihil Obstat

I think you are likely on the wrong sort of forum to get good advice about recording equipment. :hehe:

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Beati Pacifici

Condensers for anything live, definitely. I just bought 2 audiotechnica mics for my radio show.

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PadrePioOfPietrelcino

How many channels are you wanting to have? Will everything be coming in thru the mic or are you wanting ports to plug in the instruments directly? I've had good luck with Audiotechnica condenser miss as well, I have a four channel USB board that I can then operate everything easily from my laptop.

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I'm a recording engineer and I'm actually going to be recording a choir this weekend. I'm using (4) AT4050s for the 12 voices. I'll be using (2) Zoom H4ns to capture the sound. They've got a nice vocal compressor built in and it's way less cumbersome that dealing with a laptop and firewire interface.

 

AT4050, a great mic for a good price - http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT4050

 

Zoom H4n, quality handhelp recording device with (2) XLR inputs and phantom power - http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/H4N

 

If this is out of your price range let me know and I can suggest something else.

 

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CatholicCid

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

 

For microphones, I had been looking at AT, so I am glad to hear positive feedback about them.

 

Raz, how good is the coverage for the AT4050s? The choir size would vary (12-20). Would it be possible to get away with 2 mics? Incase the tag is too much, could you recommend something around 1/2 the price?

 

For the board, I am currently looking at a 12-channel Mackie, since I am familiar with the brand. The majority with be voices, but I will also have to plug in the organ

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=650180&is=REG&Q=&A=details

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CatholicCid

I have a Mackie Onyx 1220 w/ FireWire for sale. Almost the exact thing you are looking at.

Yes, I was going to PM you for a quote. The only problem would be is that I'm not sure if the Church will want to buy used or would prefer to go through the actual company.

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With mics you really do get what you pay for. If you're going to go down to about half the price the quality will suffer a bit, but since your recording space is very wet (reverberant) it shouldn't be too bad.

 

I'd reccomend the Rode NT1-A for a cheaper condensor mic - http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NT1AAnniv

 

And yes, (2) mics should be able to give you the coverage you need. Place them about 5-10 feet in front of your singers and about a foot above their heads, tilted down at a slight angle.

 

For practicality I would avoid using a mixer and laptop/IO workflow, but do whatever works for you.

Edited by Raz
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