ABSTRACT

One of the most difficult orchestral elements to capture is a large chorus positioned at the back of the stage, either on risers or in a choir loft above the orchestra at around 12 meters or 40 feet from both the conductor and the main microphone system. The challenge is to get enough presence of sound and diction (the words) while maintaining the blend of each section of voices. Also the perspective of the chorus should remain stable and set back behind the orchestra, if that is the actual stage placement of the group. Leakage of sound from various percussion and brass instruments into the chorus microphones is a regular problem. Solutions for recording chorus on its own and capturing chorus with orchestra are presented in this chapter.