Klarinet Archive - Posting 000071.txt from 1999/08

From: "Mark Weinstein" <cpaok@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Audition tapes
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 10:52:34 -0400

Gee, it sure sounds like Ben is the GURU here. And he confirms what I found
as far as cost is concerned, when I looked into a solution for recording. To
do a really good job takes gobs & gobs of money, and you probably still
won't be cutting edge or middle of the road, if nothing else, just do to
lack of knowledge or frequency of use.

I elected to go with a Sony Walkman Professional and the $80-100 Sony
microphone. Easy to use. Excellent quality tapes are available cheap, where
DAT is more pricey. (don't get me wrong, DAT is nice, very nice indeed ... I
have an HP Surestore 12/24 gig on our NT network and it is a prized
possession). My total cost incl. shipping was less than $300 (two years
back) from J & R Music World.

I found that when I made a tape, that I always needed more than one. One
for me, one for the family, one for the intended audition, one for the
school band director, and one for grandma, and one ... to death. NOW, I was
really out of my league !

My wife who used to produce & direct TV Commercials suggested I contact a
Video or Audio Production Company with my problem. The very first one I
called told me to bring my tape to them. They edited the tape removing some
distortion and have been able to produce limited quantities (5-10)<< sans
titling or glossy packaging >> for very inexpensive prices. The last time
they did about 6 tapes for $10.
The Sony Walkman Professional recording quality is acceptable. Without a
doubt, the assist from the production company makes the end-product output
quality far, far better than I ever would have hoped for.

Good luck to all.

Mark Weinstein
-----Original Message-----
From: Benjamin Maas <benmaas@-----.com>
Date: Monday, August 02, 1999 6:50 PM
Subject: RE: [kl] Audition tapes

>
>> What is the best kind of equipment, short of professional studio
>> recording, to record audition tapes? I have made several tapes in the
>> last year, but the recording quality is not the best because of my cheap
>> equipment. I have decided to buy good quality equipment for myself and
>> students to make tapes with.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> Deborah
>>
>
>
>When it comes to recording gear, you basically get what you pay for. I
>would not recommend MiniDisc, regardless of what you do. Without getting
>into technical specifics, there are too many problems with the format.
>
>DAT is by far the best way to go. You haven't told us what sort of budget
>you have, so I can only make some general recommendations...
>
>Condenser microphones will get you a much better sound than dynamics, but
>you need some sort of a small mixing board to power them (A Mackie 1202
>would probably be fine and they cost about $300 new-- less used off of the
>internet...). OR, you could purchase a good field DAT machine like a
Tascam
>DA-P1 and it has preamps built into it. (Cost: $1500). With a set of
>preamps or a small board you could get a tabletop unit like a Tascam DA-20
>($900 or less). I would not get a Sony portable DAT. They have far too
>many mechanical problems and the quality is well, less than stellar...
>
>Microphones: If you do end up with a little Sony Portable, there is pretty
>much only 1 decent microphone you can use it is a stereo mic, that is made
>by Audio Technica. (I can't remember the number but it costs about $250, I
>think). The $80 Sony is not too good. If you get a board or preamps, get
>something like a pair of Shure SM-81s or Rode NT-1 (or 2). (Each about
>$350/each--$700/pair). If you want a really stellar set of Mic's and can
>spend the extra bucks, get a pair of Neumann KM-184's. They sound great
and
>are a real deal at about $650/each.... This is some Ideas on the cheap end
>of the spectrum.
>
>I would stay away from most Dynamics (especially the Shure SM-57/58
etc...),
>The Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser dynamics are pretty good, but they also run
>about $300+/each. Might as well get the condensers...
>
>Hope this helps a bit.
>
>--Ben
>
>Benjamin Maas
>Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
>Los Angeles, CA
>benmaas@-----.com
>http://www.fifthcircle.com
>
>
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