Classical Ensemble Recording, Mixing and Mastering

The 60-singer Hudson Chorale, led by Music Director David Baranowski, is an ensemble actively rehearsing and performing in Westchester County. Members of the choir range from experienced professionals to avid life-long singers, young and old. Their repertoire includes music spanning many centuries and styles, from choral staples to modern compositions.

Below is a catalogue of the performances I’ve recorded with the Chorale. Read the caption next to each video to get more detail on the equipment and mic techniques I used for each performance.

“Malhaar: A Requiem for Water” by Reena Esmail and “Carols & Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest” by Conrad Susa

Audio: SE8 pair (Main L/R), Condenser pair (percussion array), multiple MKH 8000 spot mics (harp, tabla, guitar)

Video: iPhone 6s (left angle), iPhone X (right angle)

Audio edited on Cubase Pro 14, and video edited on Filmora.

AUDIO

SE8 pair (Main L/R), Condenser pair (percussion array), multiple MKH 8000 spot mics (harp, tabla, guitar)

VIDEO

iPhone 6s (left angle), iPhone X (right angle)

Audio edited on Cubase Pro 14, and video edited on Filmora.

“Malhaar: A Requiem for Water” by Reena Esmail and “Carols & Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest” by Conrad Susa

This piece calls for a full choir, string orchestra and harp. To capture such a large ensemble, I used an XY pair of SE8 condensers behind the conductor, a large diaphragm condenser just in front of the choir, a shotgun mic focused on the harp, and a Midside configuration in the center of the string orchestra, just in front of the conductor.

“The Ballad of the Brown King” by Margaret Bonds

Audio: Midside Pair (orchestra), SE8 pair (Main L/R), Mono choir condenser (center), multiple spot mics (timpani)

Video: Provided by Hudson Chorale

Audio edited on Cubase Pro 14.

“Messiah” by George Frideric Handel

In this smaller neighborhood church, I used an XY pair of SE8 condensers to capture the entire ensemble, and additionally placed a large diaphragm condenser in an area for soloists to walk to. Finally, I connected to the Chorale’s custom-made electronic organ and recorded its audio directly into my computer.

Singing Through Time: Compositions by Hildegard von Bingen, Pérotin, Rossi, Haydn, and more

At the Irvington Presbyterian Church, I used an XY pair of SE8 condensers behind the conductor, two close condensers focused on the choir behind the organist, and a Midside configuration in the middle of the orchestra.

Audio: Midside Pair (orchestra), SE8 pair (Main L/R), Shure KSM109s (back hall)

Video: Canon EOS 5D Mk. III (front angle), Lumix G85 (side angle), Canon EOS M50 (handheld)

Audio edited on Cubase Pro 14, and video edited on Final Cut.

“Vesperae Solennes” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Winner of the coveted Arts Organization Award of Arts Westchester, the Westchester Choral Society was founded in 1942; today, they perform a wide variety of choral music and perform year-round in Westchester and the greater New York area. The Westchester Choral Society is a part of Chorus America and a member of both the Vocal Area Network and Arts Westchester.

Below are three audio clips from one of their concerts I recorded in May 2024 at the Rye Presbyterian Church. For this performance, I used a combination of an XY condenser pair, Midside configuration in the center of the ensemble, multiple spot mics on timpani, and a pair of condenser microphones in the interior of the church’s concert grand piano.

"Agnus Dei" - Gabriel Fauré
"Splendor" - Hagenberg
"Easter" - Vaughn Williams