AA3A wk 8/9

1)

Live recording is about documenting an event. However a good live recording is more than just being able to hear what happened. its about trying to best represent what it was like to be there. It is just as important to have a good set up for the live recording as for studio, to give the 'hyper real' sense, so someone who was there could almost relive it and those who weren't can feel as though they were.

To achieve this its important to capture the environment sound as much as it is to get a descent instrument sound. A room mic can serve to add an element of air and space to a studio recording. In a live recording it is even more essential. The way the room sounds is half the essence of the performance.

Taking in the room sound is a of course the next element of a live recording. This is where the 'hyper real' element of a recording is evolved. The room could actually have a less than desirable sound. It could be a rather tinny sound. But by placing the mic's in the ideal spot in the room can reduce the high end, and then some clever EQ can accentuate the good elements of the room whilst diminishing the bad. The people at the concert surrounded by thousands of bodies will get a much more flattened sound were the recording can get a much clearer sound via optimal mic placement.

Other than capturing the 'sound' of a live show, there is also the actual elements of a performance which can be documented. If a band gives and exceptional performance, to have that documented is a proof of that bands talent beyond what a studio could ever convey. For people to then be able to relive the experience or get an idea of what it was like to be there portrays the importance of having that live recording.

The disadvantages is the lack of control that is offered in a studio enviroment but a live recording definitely has it's benefits.

2)

Acoustic properties are paramount to getting a good sound. Millions of dollars are spent on acoustics in many different ways. Studio recording is always evolving to shape the sound in a very controlled manner, and it is getting to the point that live recording has become just as focused.

Studios are designed to get the best possible sound. The emu recording space had engineers change the room to allow for a better sound, yet ideally a studio is built purposefully to have incredible acoustics. Venues also take acoustics into account. Where as a studio will have a lot more empty space, venues need to allow for the sound absorption of a mass of bodies. It also has to take into account of audibility of the band from all area's of the venue.

The speakers out to the audience at Immanuel were specifically placed to distribute the sound equally to all areas of the room. There was also a high end EQ used to accent the best possible sound in the room. The studio being built at Immanuel is similar to EMU as it is a room being converted into a studio. At EMU panels have been suspended from the ceiling to absorb, reflect and distribute sound, where David is having the roof come down on and angle to avoid standing waves, he is also angling one of the walls. The sound proofing foam between the hollow walls is also a necessary measure. One major advantage that the Immanuel studio has over the EMU studio, is that the monitoring room is also being designed to have good sound qualities, were at EMU it is square and flat and creates standing waves whilst monitoring.

The ARC and Ergo Systems are expanding the possibility of getting a good sound of a room. They pinpoint which frequencies are enhanced or lacking in a space and attenuate the input to give a flat response, so you can get the best sound to work with.

The possibilities of people with a modest home studio set up such as myself is being expanded beyond trying to manufacture a space in the real world. Convolution reverbs allow the characteristics of a space to be mapped and controlled virtually, which allows for DI recording at home which is then shaped virtually.

References:

Grice, David. “Audio Arts - Week 8/9 – Live Sound and Acoustics.” Lecture presented at Immanuel College Concert Room and Recording Studio, Novar Gardens, SA, 16th of May 2008.

"KRK Systems Releases Ergo, Powerful Room Audio Correction System". 2008.

Multimedia, IK. "Advanced Room Correction System - Chapter 1 - Arc Overview". 2008.

Stavrou, Michael Paul. "Stav's Word: Recording a Live Gig." Audio Technology.45: 64 - 66.