Another fabulous Westmoreland Jazz Society concert. Here's a very rough pass, I'm playing with some different plugins than I typically apply. The drums are all hit with the Waves Masserati series. The Telefunken M80 delivers its expected silky, detailed vocal track. Swapped my usual ribbon overhead mics for Telefunken CU29's to match the tone of this particular drummer, I think it works. SE Electronics/Rupert Neve RNR1 on the upright base and Rn17 on piano; the SE/Neve collaboration mics remain not just staples but favorites in my mic cabinet.


Summertime; Elevations (Trio) Featuring Jessica Zamiska

This was my first time working with Vox Sacre,  and I hope to work with the 16 member chamber group again in the future. In sharing my setup with the colleague who helped me connect with director Richard Teaster, he immediately noted the body and presence that my use of the Telefunken CU29's and AK47 as "spot" mics for the choir added. The silk and air are courtesy of my faithful pair of Earthworks QTC's.  I approached my gain staging a bit differently than I have in the past, owing to ideas I'm picking up as I go further down the rabbit hole into mastering. My usual array of Slate Digital Plugins (Virtual Consoles, Buss Compressors, and Tape Machines) are of course here, EQ and very gentle compression courtesy of McDSP per my usual preference. 

Choral Variations On Ah, Holy Jesus (Petrich); Vox Sacre, Richard Teaster director

I've always loved this song. Arranged this way by the group's director, it's even more evocative.

 Main pair was SE Electronics/Rupert Neve Designs RN17' cardioid, flanked by a pair of Earthworks QTC1 omnis. All four mics via Rupert Neve 5024 preamp. Had the pleasure of not only recording this special event (their 125th anniversary concert) but supplying the feed for live radio broadcast.

Both Sides Now; Pitt Men's Glee Club

This is just a beautiful, haunting piece of music and I'm so thrilled to have recorded the world premier!



Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh; On Light (McMasters)

More from the Music on the Edge Concert featuring New Morse Code.  This is a cool piece, and still finds me experimenting (and loving the results) of using the new Aston Microphones (Origin and Spirit) in an MS Array as the sole sound source for this live recording.

New Morse Code; Caught By The Sky With Wire

I recently commented to the managing director of Aston Microphones that he wasn't likely to have many endorsees who could lay claim to recording music for "Cello and flower pots."

Here's the proof.

This would be the second time out using my Aston Microphones in a live concert setting. Being able to run up just one stand- with the two mics in array- is a must for the rater small theatre at the Andy Warhol Museum.

 With chamber music, thats actually part of the experience of listening; the physical arrangement of the players actually can be a part of composition and the experience the composer wants for the audience.

M/S Arrays always provide very definite stereo imaging, with everything having a very well defined location, it makes them a strong choice in this application.

And the Astons...they did just fine.

Very nice results, as captured via a Grace m201 preamp.

New Morse Code; Boris Kerner

It seems like every year I end up posting the recording of the Philharmonic and the winner of their young artist concerto competition. 

In this case...it's  a 14 year old violinist. This is why I'm an engineer and not a performer.

I'm once again impressed with the two pieces I've got in hand from Aston Microphones; their Origin and Spirit models which here are found in M/S array with a pair of cardioid flankers to fill out the sound stage. The localization of the soloist is just lovely.

Pittsburgh Philharmonic: Violin Concerto in E Minor, OP 64.

Began work last week on what will become the definitive collection of recordings of works by composer Mildred Gardner, as played by one of her own students (now himself a professor of piano and wonderful performer).

Microphones: Earthworks QTC's, Rupert Neve/Se Electronics RNR1' Ribbon Mics, Aston Microphones Spirit and Origin.

Preamps: Grace Design 201, Rupert Neve 5024

Gardner: Sonata For 2 Pianos

Having a blast working once again with guitarist Dante Romito. Here's a taste of whats to come from his upcoming EP release, from the drum tracking session held last weekend. 

If drums are the basis of a great track, I feel like we're on the road to something pretty special. Bravo to Gino Maione on a very musical performance, and fantastic sounds of his custom kit from LouSon Drums (http://www.lousondrums.com/)

Drums: Audix I5, D2, D4, D6; True Systems Precision 8 Preamps

Hihats: sE Electronics/Rupert Neve Designs RN17; Rupert Neve 5024 Preamps

Cymbals:  Telefunken CU29 Copperheads; Grace Designs m201 Preamps

Overheads: Aston Spirit and Origin microphones, Rupert Neve 5024 Preamps

Bass: DI from bass, line out from Mark Bass amplifier, and Shure SM7b via True Systems Precision 8

Guitar (overdubs and permanent tracks to follow): Telfunken m80 & Universal Audio 6176, sE electronics/Rupert Neve Designs RNR1; Millennia Media STT1 Origin

Dante Romito. Search and Rescue

Recorded live on location at Pittsburgh's First Unitarian Church, a really lovely sounding room. Features Jason Kush on saxophone.

Microphones; Rupert Neve/sE Electronics RNR1 Ribbon mics (sax solo), RN17's, and Earthworks QTC 1's.

Preamps by Grace Design and RME Audio

Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh; Scaramouche

Recorded live on location with the Westmoreland Jazz Society and one of my favorite clients, the Eric Barchiesi Trio.

Microphones:  Telefunken, Earthworks, Rupert Neve/Se Electronics, and Aston.

Preamps: Grace Design and True Systems.

A quick reference mix.

Eric Barchiesi Trio, Featuring Rachel Tresco; Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Definitely one of the most interesting musical and technical evenings of recent memory. How many engineers working in Pittsburgh can say they've recorded an actual Gamelan?

University of Pittsburgh Gamelan; Jipang Prawa

I continue to find this concert and musical form fascinating. An ensemble made largely of statically tuned instruments that have to perform only with each other (or Gemelan from the same tuning).

University of PIttsburgh Gamelan; Ladrak

Music producer and audio engineer based in Pittsburgh, PA. Boutique recording, mix, and mastering services for discriminating clients, endorsed by Rupert Neve Designs, SE Electronics, and Telefunken USA Microphones. Services include scalable solutions for live, location recording as well as a selection of world class studio environments. Offering clients a carefully selected array of analogue equipment and digital technology culled from over a decade spent networking and working in the music technology marketplace.

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