Recording an audience at DVinfo.net

David Blackler · July 3rd, 2010, 01:53 PM

I have been asked to film a dance concert in a couple of month’s time; I have all the video side sorted. However, I am planning to do a separate audio recording and am not sure what microphones I need. The concert is in a 1200 seat theatre. Has anyone done this sort of thing before? What mic’s do I need, where do I put them?

John Harrison · July 3rd, 2010, 04:01 PM

well ive never done it for the audience but i have done it for a choir (so just pointing the other way really)

Ideally 2, 3 or 4 booms (depending on stage width) mounted on a lighting truss at the front of the stage , pointing at the crowd would be my way to go if possible, even 1 boom up high will give you better results as trying to do anything at ground level might mean picking up conversations or sweet (candy) wrappers from those nearest you, ideally you want to be up and away to pick up general noise rather than just those closest to you

Brian P. Reynolds · July 3rd, 2010, 07:12 PM

This is what I use for a 2000+ seat theatre when I do Outside Broadcasts and possibly a bit to complex for your situation...
Cross pair of 416 shotgun mics about 1/3 down the theatre from the stage and about 2-3m high,
The other side of the theatre about same position and height a good stereo mic (Shure VP88 or AKG C522 or Rode NT4).
And on the first balcony 2 omni lapel mics about 2-3m apart taped on the front of the hand rail.

I'm working on layering the sound with a very full open theatre from the omnis to smaller groups of people 50+ with the stereo mic and to very small groups 10+ with the 416's.
Its quite often a good idea to sit in a crowd.. close your eyes and listen to the sound around you and work out how to create this with mics.

But in your case make sure any mics you use face AWAY from the speaker stacks....

Robert Gordon · July 4th, 2010, 07:56 AM

A lot of live performance auditoriums already have audience microphones mounted from the ceiling. I'd check that out first and see if they'll let you you tap in. If no to that angle, then short shotguns mounted just offstage, aimed at the audience should do. I don't think more than two would be needed. In small clubs for musical performances, some people use PCMs mounted high up on a wall or hanging off the ceiling.

Bruce Watson · July 4th, 2010, 12:29 PM

Here's what Schoeps has to say on the subject. These microphone configurations are typically used to record the music on stage. Placing the mics is a matter of taste and logistics -- what will hall management let you do?

July 3rd, 2010, 01:53 PM	#1
David Blackler New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 6	Recording an audience I have been asked to film a dance concert in a couple of month’s time; I have all the video side sorted. However, I am planning to do a separate audio recording and am not sure what microphones I need. The concert is in a 1200 seat theatre. Has anyone done this sort of thing before? What mic’s do I need, where do I put them?

July 3rd, 2010, 04:01 PM	#2
John Harrison Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dublin Ireland Posts: 34	well ive never done it for the audience but i have done it for a choir (so just pointing the other way really) Ideally 2, 3 or 4 booms (depending on stage width) mounted on a lighting truss at the front of the stage , pointing at the crowd would be my way to go if possible, even 1 boom up high will give you better results as trying to do anything at ground level might mean picking up conversations or sweet (candy) wrappers from those nearest you, ideally you want to be up and away to pick up general noise rather than just those closest to you

July 3rd, 2010, 07:12 PM	#3
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	This is what I use for a 2000+ seat theatre when I do Outside Broadcasts and possibly a bit to complex for your situation... Cross pair of 416 shotgun mics about 1/3 down the theatre from the stage and about 2-3m high, The other side of the theatre about same position and height a good stereo mic (Shure VP88 or AKG C522 or Rode NT4). And on the first balcony 2 omni lapel mics about 2-3m apart taped on the front of the hand rail. I'm working on layering the sound with a very full open theatre from the omnis to smaller groups of people 50+ with the stereo mic and to very small groups 10+ with the 416's. Its quite often a good idea to sit in a crowd.. close your eyes and listen to the sound around you and work out how to create this with mics. But in your case make sure any mics you use face AWAY from the speaker stacks....

July 4th, 2010, 07:56 AM	#4
Robert Gordon New Boot Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 19	A lot of live performance auditoriums already have audience microphones mounted from the ceiling. I'd check that out first and see if they'll let you you tap in. If no to that angle, then short shotguns mounted just offstage, aimed at the audience should do. I don't think more than two would be needed. In small clubs for musical performances, some people use PCMs mounted high up on a wall or hanging off the ceiling.

July 4th, 2010, 12:29 PM	#5
Bruce Watson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 710	Here's what Schoeps has to say on the subject. These microphone configurations are typically used to record the music on stage. Placing the mics is a matter of taste and logistics -- what will hall management let you do?