Recording/Mastering for classical audition

Posted on Dec 10, 2004 06:17 pm
GreatDay
Member Since: Dec 10, 2004

My wife is a classically trained singer and is applying for various competitions/auditions these days. At this point we use the following for recording setup – and yes, any suggestions and comments are welcome and wanted!
Neuros recorder, Rhodes NT3 mic, Sound devices MP-1 preamp. All battery powered and highly portable just what we need.

Now to the main part of my question: Is any mastering/processing of these recordings appropriate? Obviously we want to present a most accurate representation but should some processing still be done and if so, what?

TIA!

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guitar_jim
Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004

Dec 10, 2004 11:13 pm

Without hearing your recordings, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that, yes, mastering/processing of these recordings would probably make them sound more professional. Compression, maximizing, and EQ tweaking can make a good recording sound great, if you know what you are doing. (Notice, I'm not saying that I do!)

If you have the ability to mixdown or export to your PC, and then do some more processing with one of many available applications, you'll be surprised at how good your tracks will sound.

Of course, I have never heard your recordings, I'm just going by what most people do to "finalize" their recordings.

Oh, and welcome to HRC!

olddog
Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Dec 11, 2004 01:33 am

I would kind of echo what Jim says. I wouldn't do alot to something like that, but just getting good levels, and making sure it's quiet where it should be ie: no hum etc, maybe some light reverb if the recording is dry, things of that nature.

Dan

Walt
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002

Dec 11, 2004 01:56 am

If it is accurate representation you want, I would say no to any pre-mastering processing. All of the processes utilized are in the end forms of distortion. Possibly some very subtle eq to compensate for any mic inconsistancies may be appropriate. Actual mastering, the art of getting songs sequenced on an CD, ensuring that they all present themselves with equal volume, and carefully reviewed pauses between songs would obviously make a nice "portfolio" presentation.