Dear Pat and Vocalisters:
>Lloyd, et al:
>This thread has gotten my attention because the choir that I sing with on
>Sunday mornings will be doing its 2nd professional recording in a few
>weeks. The recording is being made in the space that we perform in vs. a
>studio.
>
>I did not sing on the 1st recording but have purchased it &, in spite of
>criticisms of the singers on their own performance, mistakes, etc., the
>recording has a nice, fairly authentic sound to it (in regards to the
>acoustics of the space). Do you think singers making recordings for
>auditions would be better served by making them in a space they typically
>sing in, if possible?
COMMENT: Choral recording and solo voice recording are very
different processes and the demands made on recording equipment in
each situation is very different as well. Choral groups generally
benefit greatly from recording in a hall or church which gives the
group the necessary ambiance to enhance the choral tone.
Solo recording also benefits from the ambience of a good performance
hall but the acoustic qualities must be carefully selected
specifically for recording purposes. Some halls which are excellent
acoustically are not excellent as recording venues.
All of the above is little more than an a concern that recordings be
as accurate as possible yet show the choral group or solo voice to
best advantage.
The primary reason to record in a hall is the opportunity it gives to
the singer to hear himself/herself in a live performance venue and
the positive effect this has on vocal production. It encourages a
flow of tone and an a less inhibited response to the recording
process.
How such "live" recordings are perceived in today's audition and
listening world is less predictable. We, as a listening public,
have become enamored of the close mike technique which makes every
utterance seem more personal and "for us alone" Or, it makes every
utterance unrealistically loud. At these volume levels it becomes
less an exercise in listening and more a "happening" that dominates
us.
Recently it has come to my attention that many singers would prefer
to create their auditions tapes in performance halls because they
have been told these tapes will obtain a more positive response from
those who hear the tapes.
--
Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA
Professor of Voice, Pedagogy
School of Performing Arts
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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