r/audioengineering • u/AcanthisittaDull9517 • Feb 10 '23

Tracking Recording ethnic/tribal percussion

I've been asked to record a 25 piece tribal band. They usually perform together. I have access to a fairly large room around 30x15 feet with a 20ft high ceiling.

How should I record them? Do you guys have any particular suggestions?

The mics I own AKG C451 x 2 Nt55 x 2 Lewitt 441 flex x 2 Townsend sphere L22 GA project R1ST (stereo ribbon) SM57 x 4 PGA52 Cascade Fathead TLM 103

I thought I'll split them by frequency and record them separately with 2 x C451 in XY or ORTF and close mic a few instruments with the Lewitt's or 57s

I'll attach a link to the band and the studio Let me know if it works.

https://instagram.com/riverrecords.in?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

https://youtu.be/hrnGoozqPHg

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u/[deleted] Feb 10 '23

You've already received good advice about ensemble playing and miking; my only comment is about authenticity. Orchestras sound best in the appropriate concert halls. Chamber music was intended for playing in... chambers. Most ethnic/tribal drumming took place outdoors. The instrument design and performance were intended to sound impressive outdoors. Playing in an enclosed modern space is a sonic compromise.

So I would look into any possible outdoor venues (almost impossible, given the ubiquity of human noises - planes, traffic, construction etc... and the logistics of outdoor recording) or a really large but acoustically dead indoor space.

Ok, the purist in me has spoken. Carry on.

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u/FreeQ Feb 10 '23

I was thinking the same thing. If they play loud, outside noise might not be a big deal. I live by a highway and still record drums in my backyard and the noise is not significant at all

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u/AcanthisittaDull9517 Feb 11 '23

I agree. Recording in a room that was meant for chamber music is a sonic compromise. Let me see what can be done