shock and awe

woof · Post by **woof** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:57 pm

I recently recorded my own playing and upon listening to the playback I was shocked. Sort of like the first time you hear a recording of your own voice. That couldn't be me! The good news is that the flute sounded great- i.e. in tune. But what I heard of the music I played was nothing like what I though I was playing. The notes yes but the intonation I thought I was putting into the pieces was absent from the recording. The rhythm terrible. I could hear the weak air support given to many notes- in general many things I do not hear when I play. It was discouraging to say the least, enough that I did not want to play for several days. Since I have no concert aspirations I guess I long as I enjoy playing what does it matter. It was at least educational and tells me that I have a very long way to go- now I know why the dog and cat leave the room when the flute comes out. If you haven't yet had the pleasure try it- it is an education.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:02 am

Yes, that's an excellent idea. You can't tell what you really sound like to an audience at least 10 feet away when you're used to listening from about 4 inches. Regularly recording yourself is a great tool for improvement. I also recommend it.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:02 am

I like doing this. It really helps me point out any problematic sequences related to clarity [releases, articulations etc.].

It is a great tool, but I have one word of caution. Make sure you use a quality recording system. Most hand held audio recording devices are not of high enough quality to produce an accurate recording. Thus, a poor recording system can be more detrimental than helpful. I personally like using a microphone hooked up to my computer, and using my Mixcraft recording software. If you have Garageband software, it is really similiar. You can do a lot of mixing of sounds, and cut out static and a lot of stuff. But, if you dont have that software, PC's come with a basic recording software as part of the initial Windows package. This software works fine as well.

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:01 am

Yes, I always find it very depressing to record myself.

The recording does represent what the audience hears pretty well though. You really have to work to sound good to the audience, even if it doesn't sound as good to your ears. It really is very helpful to record yourself and work on these things.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:40 pm

That's a really good point, fluteguy. I know several people here that use minidiscs to record themselves, and they seem to like that option too. Of course, optimally we would all practice in a fully functional recording studio with top of the line equipment and great acoustics for a flutist, but since that's not likely to happen, having at least a reasonable quality recording device is important if the tapes are to mean anything.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:42 am

The best performance recordings I ever did were the ones that people recoreded without telling me they were doing it. I Played at my friends wedding in Korea, and was amazed how good and relaxed it came out. The recordings I do in the studio are definitely more mechanical sounding.

As far as the quality of the recording equipment, I have found no matter how good the equipment is, there is always something out there that is suppose to be better. I guess it all depends on what you are listening for. I have done many experiments with different microphones using different flutes. I have found the technique goes farther than they type of equipment. Here are a few pointers.

1. Do not over drive the input of the recording device. In the old days, people would let the recording meter go into the red. With digital gear, this is a BIG no no.

2. Do not use too much input gain. If you monitor the input signal, and you can hear your neighbor snoring from a half mile away, then your input signal is too hot! Your input signal should only be adjusted just above what it takes to hear what you are recording.

3. Locate you recording device in the corner of the room. This will reduce alot of the unwanted room effects.

4. If you use a microphone close to the instrument, position the lipplate at least 6" from the front of the mic, or place the mic overhead. This will eliminate a good portion of the AIRY sound. Head mounted mics work well also.(You know, the kind the dancing pop artists use.)

These techniques should get you a good enough recording to help out with your studies.

Phineas
(Edited for Typos~!)

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:06 am

Phineas wrote:The best performance recordings I ever did were the ones that people recoreded without telling me they were doing it. I Played at my friends wedding in Korea, and was amazed how good and relaxed it came out. The recordings I do in the studio are definitely more mechanical sounding.

As far as the quality of the recoring equipment, I have found no matter how good the equipment is, there is always something out there that is suppose to be better. I guess it all depends on what you are listening for. I have done many experiments with different microphones using different flutes. I have found the technique goes farther than they type of equipment. Here are a few pointers.

1. Do not over drive the input of the recording device. In the old days, people woould let the recording meter go into the red. With digital gear, this is a BIG no no.

2. Do not use too much input gain. If you monitor the input signal, and you can hear your neighbor snoring from a half mile away, then your input signal is too hot! Your input signal should only be adjusted just above what it take to hear what you are recording.

3. Locate you recording device in the corner of the room. This will reduce alot of the unwanted room effects.

4. If you use a microphone close to the instrument, posistion the lipplate at least 6" from the front of the mic, or place the mic overhead. This will eliminate a good portion of the AIRY sound. Head mounted mics work well also.(You know, the kind the dancing pop artists use.)

These techniques should get you a good enough recording to helip out with your studies.

Phineas

Thanks for the tips, Phineas!

woof · Post by **woof** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:12 pm

Phineas wrote:
1. Do not over drive the input of the recording device. In the old days, people woould let the recording meter go into the red. With digital gear, this is a BIG no no.

2. Do not use too much input gain. If you monitor the input signal, and you can hear your neighbor snoring from a half mile away, then your input signal is too hot! Your input signal should only be adjusted just above what it take to hear what you are recording.

4. If you use a microphone close to the instrument, posistion the lipplate at least 6" from the front of the mic, or place the mic overhead. This will eliminate a good portion of the AIRY sound. Head mounted mics work well also.(You know, the kind the dancing pop artists use.)

Phineas

Ibid about the good tips. I use a headmounted mic with the mic pointed straight up but I definately had the mic gain set up high - I will try it set lower and experiment with that a bit. I keep hoping that if I fool around long enough I can come out sounding like Sir James or Nestor Torres-LOL,

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:27 pm

woof wrote:
Ibid about the good tips.

Ibid? I'm not familiar with that term?

woof · Post by **woof** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:13 pm

flutepicc06 wrote:
woof wrote:
Ibid about the good tips.
Ibid? I'm not familiar with that term?

Actually it is a bit out of place here, generally it is used to abbreviate notations in lists of references. When ibid is used it tells the reader to refer to the reference that preceeded the current piece of information as the source of that information.-- i.e. it is shorthand. In this case it refers to the posts above mine--- perhaps not the best way to use the term. Sorry for the confusion.