Project 1: Reel-to-Reel
Objective: Capture a live musical performance using analog recording equipment to gain hands-on experience with mic placement, instrument selection, and utilizing the natural acoustics of a space.
Instructions:
Gather 2-3 musicians to perform live in the studio. Select instruments that complement each other tonally and have suitable volume levels for an unamplified acoustic recording.
Record using the reel-to-reel tape recorder and Toft mixer. Use the preamps on the Toft mixer.
Create an echo chamber by routing audio from the mixer to an amp in one of the TCB rooms. Position a mic in that room to capture the echo and route it back to a channel on the mixer.
Mix the tracks live while recording the full performance in one take onto tape with no editing.
Submit a digital version of the the final recording, photos of the setup (recording, mixing and patch-bay), and a written reflection analyzing your process, microphone technique, use of effects, and the final mix to D2L. Discuss the challenges of live analog recording and your lessons learned.
You may work in groups but each submission should showcase different miking approaches and recorded songs.
Rubric⌗
| Criteria | Exceeds Expectations (4 pts) | Meets Expectations (3 pts) | Needs Improvement (2 pts) | Inadequate (1 pt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microphone Technique | Used microphones expertly to capture nuanced tones and textures. Creative miking that enhanced the recording. | Good microphone choices that adequately captured the instruments. Minor issues with placement. | Mediocre mic choices and placement that failed to convey some elements. Uneven levels. | Poor microphone selection and placement. Mix is unbalanced. |
| Routing and Mixing | Creative use of auxiliary sends and effective mixing. Balanced levels, EQ and effects enhance the recording. | Aux sends and mix properly route audio. Mix is clean with few distracting issues. | Inconsistent mixing and technical errors. Unbalanced levels at times. | Failure to utilize aux sends. Mixing has major technical issues. |
| Analog Equipment Usage | Shows deep understanding and creative use of the analog gear and signal flow. | Proficient use of analog equipment. Successful recording to tape. | Some technical issues or lack of control over analog signal path. | Unable to properly operate analog equipment. Recording flawed. |
| Documentation | Detailed notes explain techniques used. Photos clearly depict setup and routing. | Adequate documentation of process and techniques. | Spotty documentation or incomplete photos. | Lack of notes and photos demonstrating process. |
| Reflection | Provides insightful reflection on techniques used and lessons learned. | Satisfactory summary of process and key learning. | Vague reflection that lacks detail. | Little or no reflection provided. |