KEY PREPARATION STEPS FOR RECORDING CLASSICAL MUSIC
Divide and conquer It is common to divide the process into pre-production ( before recording ), production ( recording ) and post-production ( editing , mixing and mastering ). It is not that these names are the height of originality but , at least , they are very clear .
THE PLACE A different characteristic of classical music recordings is that they are not usually made in recording studios . Unless they are specialized in this category and are of a good size . To record classical music you need spaces like auditoriums or churches . That they are wide so that the sound of the instrument develops and diffuses . If you try to listen to a piano , clarinet or violin from very close , you will notice that the sound is not exactly wonderful . It sounds raw , aggressive , and lifeless . But if you move away , you will notice how it grows , softens and sounds what we are used to . This happens because sound waves need a space to unfold and humans also need a minimum of reverberation in the room for it to sound acceptable to us . Most conventional recording studios are medium or small in size . Very few have space for a choir , an orchestra , or both together . A conventional recording studio ( pop , jazz , rock etc ) is usually designed with short reverberation times ( sometimes almost nonexistent ). In this way , the sound that is recorded can be better controlled and if more ambience is necessary , it is then added digitally . This lack of reverb is not appropriate for recording classical music because it affects the “ naturalness ” with which we perceive the sound of the instrument , in addition to making musicians feel uncomfortable . You have to find a recording location with the appropriate reverb for the music you are going to record .
PROFESSIONALISM After a lot of hours of planning , rehearsal and expenses ( room rental , piano tuning ) the technical part of the recording also deserves the best you can afford . It is essential that a sound technician is a musician and has a solid background in classical music . You don ’ t want to spend your recording time explaining the difference between a violin and a viola or between a symphony and a concert . If you cannot count on a producer to just be dedicated to the musical part , you will need the technician to also take notes on the score and give you a hand in the production with a musical vision “ from the outside ”.
AKARSH SHEKHAR
LOCATION The logistics of organizing the recording may seem secondary . But if you don ’ t get your homework done , it can turn into a nightmare . What happens if you cannot get to the wonderful hermitage by car to unload the equipment ? Or if at lunchtime there is no place in any restaurant and you have to travel 20 km more ? Sounds unlikely , but it can happen . Think about the distance of travel , the type of transportation available , access , and parking options .
Also , take care of the food and catering . Plan where you are going to eat and how many people ( better to reserve ). Coffee and cookies in the middle of the recording can also be essential and are details that help a lot to make the day relaxed and productive .
THE SCHEDULES Plan arrival , rest and departure times . Prepare a sheet with the schedule of all the pieces to be recorded and at what time of the sessions . The best thing is to dose the effort , not to leave the most difficult for last . Clarify the session start and end times well . This can save you from misunderstandings and bad faces with musicians , room personnel , and technicians . It is important that there is a margin of time between blocks and don ’ t forget the breaks .
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