Recording a school jazz band.

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Member Since: Feb 19, 2007

I'm looking to record a large 16+ piece jazz band. I have capabilities for 16 channels. Here's the setup.

Rhythm Section:
Drums
Bass
Rhythm Guitar
Piano

4 - trumpets
4 - trombones
1 - Baritone Sax
2 - Tenor Sax
4 - Alto Sax


What would be the best way to record this with 16 channels? Could you match sections to mics please?

i.e - 4 mics drums, 1 bass direct, rhythm guitar, keys mono, etc. There's the rhythm section - 7 channels.

How could I best split the other 9 for the other instruments?

I'm using a Digi002r with a presonus digimax rs to total 16 channels. Can I squeeze another 8 channels into this setup somehow? Could I get another presonus 8-channel preamp and mic 24 channels somehow?

Thanks in advance!!! Definitely excited about this if i can make it work.

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Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Nov 22, 2007 10:21 pm

the way i see it ur on the right track with grouping all similar instruments. Just have to get stereo images on the groups, the way i see it, going track wise

2 for drums
2 piano
1 bass
1 guitar
2 trumpets
2 trombones
1 baritone sax
2 tenor sax
2 alto sax

Thats 15 tracks, personally id group all the saxes as their naturally suppose to not cover eachother up being that they cover different ranges. that would free up to 5 tracks, which u might be able to use on drums since i jsut wrote 2 incase.

This should probably work out for light jazz sinces stylistically its a room sounding type of music anyway. Not so sure if its like swing or big band stuff that needs a little more punch

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Nov 22, 2007 11:00 pm

I would recommend a similar setup as Crux's, but I would use three mics on the drums: one for kick, one for snare, and one overhead. That's sixteen, and still leaves two for a stereo piano. If a mono piano is OK with you and you'd like stereo drums instead, use two overhead drum mics.


Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Nov 23, 2007 11:48 am


I just gotta state the obvious to that, with a limited track situation always pays off to take insane amounts of time with your room arrangement and mic placement.

You could actually end up not even needing all 16 tracks if you really test the whole thing out, i mean consider alot of older jazz records probably had the luxury of a mic or two at best

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Nov 24, 2007 03:29 am

No more than 16 i'm afraid (only 8 adat)... silly digidesign.

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