Rachmaninov - Etude-Tableaux Op.39 No.9

[mig]

Yet another one of my recent recordings. Enjoy.

[jlh]

I'm speechless... really.

Let me guess something and you tell me how far I am off, 'k?

You recorded this on an upright and added reverb on a computer? 

[Dazzer]

well... its certainly more controled than my "mad rush" interpretation seen elsewhere.

THOUGH, it definately sounds manufactured. either sequenced, built from scratch on midi, or post edited.

I found it very mechanical, with respect to rhythm. Lacking in dynamic contrast.

but like i said, great control. I didn't find it easy to control it, and it usually got abit out of hand haha.

[mig]

Thanks for your comments.

The recording isn't manufactured in any way, it's not sequenced, midi, and has no reverb effects added artificially. It's totally my playing. It does have a degree of post editing, however. My original idea was to record it on my camcorder, but the acoustic qualities of the hall gave way too much reverb, besides, the AGC of the camcorder evened out my dynamic range. Plan B was to record using my Minidisc. And so, I miked the soundboard from below. Too dry. The solution I found, was to record form both sources and them combine them on the pc, of course, with the low quality reverby rec from the camcorder, with a lot less volume. This is the only sound processing I used, everything else, it's my own playing. BTW, the piano is a Steinway A.

Thanks,
Mig

[jlh]

Thanks for your comments.

The recording isn't manufactured in any way, it's not sequenced, midi, and has no reverb effects added artificially. It's totally my playing. It does have a degree of post editing, however. My original idea was to record it on my camcorder, but the acoustic qualities of the hall gave way too much reverb, besides, the AGC of the camcorder evened out my dynamic range. Plan B was to record using my Minidisc. And so, I miked the soundboard from below. Too dry. The solution I found, was to record form both sources and them combine them on the pc, of course, with the low quality reverby rec from the camcorder, with a lot less volume. This is the only sound processing I used, everything else, it's my own playing. BTW, the piano is a Steinway A.

Thanks,
Mig

Well I wasn't too far off.  What I heard was one recording and something in the background that wasn't the same recording and it had a LOT of reverb.  Naturally I guessed it was artificial.  It does sound a bit like an upright recording that's been doctored up, though.

Why can't you record with your minidisk mic like 4-6 ft away and pointed directly into the strings from above?  That might give you the clarity you need and a bit of room ambiance as well.

You're not kidding about that AGC stuff... I once tried to record myself for some auditions using a camcorder and gave up after a couple hours because it completely messed up my dynamics.

[mig]

Jlh,
you see, my mics are cardioid, so if I put them too far away, I get no bass, and if I put them too close, I won't get the room's reverb

[bearzinthehood]

I think with your lack of resources in terms of microphones I think you might get the best result if you close miked it and then add the reverb via software.  Maybe not ideal but better than the alternative.

[zheer]

Sounds very very good, infact it sounds ready to be playd to a audience i gess.Rachmainoff is not so easy to play, you did a really good job.I cant comment much am not familiar with this composition and i think you play a lot better than i do. All the best

[jlh]

I think with your lack of resources in terms of microphones I think you might get the best result if you close miked it and then add the reverb via software.  Maybe not ideal but better than the alternative.

If you have access to a good software or hardware reverb, I'd recommend close miking it (but make sure the mic is not too hot) and then running it through a reverb that allows you to modify the perceived distance and then add a nice hall verb to it.

I have experience as a recording engineer for a record company, so if you'd like, send me a file and I'll see if I can't make it sound better (don't everyone do this now...). 

[mig]

Thanks a lot, jlh. I see no sense in sending this one to you... but if I'll probably make a lot more in the near future, so I'll keep you in mind.  ;)Thanks a lot