Hi-my son is applying for a few BAs in music with a performance emphasis (not BMs). They all require an audition and two of them require prescreening videos, including group pieces. The audition requirements do not say anything about whether sound engineers are needed or permitted. They do say it is not necessary to record in a studio and you just need good sound quality. Nonetheless, we will follow the advice of my son’s teacher and record in a studio with live musicians accompanying. Any insight on whether a sound engineer should be used? In one case, I emailed the school to ask them directly because we have had many contacts already; in the other case, I don’t want to do that and don’t think they will answer anyway.
Thank you.
Do you mean an engineer to change pitches and correct the flubs in the audition? Definitely frowned on/not allowed/not necessary. But I know that it is sometimes done.
I don’t even know what I mean. I was asked this question by our music teacher. I would have thought the answer is no, do not use a sound engineer at all but then someone from a performing arts high school said yes. It sounds wrong to be. Sorry to not be more knowledgeable.
Not at all! I think this is a controversial topic.
Many moons ago, my D had her pre-screens done at her music school that had recording capabilities. We paid for the space, her accompanist and “a guy that turned the recording device on and off”. Technically he was probably a sound engineer since he knew how to work “the stuff” in the room. I told him that he could only record…nothing else. Since it was a music school, he knew the drill…just record. My D did a few “takes” of each song. After we all stood in the room and she and her accompanist picked the best ones. He then sent the recordings to her in the requested formats.
She does her own recordings now with her iPhone and a tripod for professional screenings. Note she went to college with a blackberry! Lol. So figuring out recordings and investing in the technology vs the music school recording route seemed like a wash back then.
Still a sound engineer is NOT needed. However I wouldn’t blame a busy, technology phobia parent from outsourcing it appropriately. I can’t remember what we paid but I’m not a big spender so probably a couple hundred dollars. Just be sure if you go this route that whomever records it simply hits on and off only with NO manipulation.
You could buy a Zoom H-2 and do it yourself.
You definitely want someone who knows how to operate sound and video equipment for the recording as often the piano or the room’s harmonics get in the way of the singer. Post-processing is largely a waste of effort if the original is mangled by the mic clipping or being pointed at the piano instead of the vocalist.
My D had someone doing sound, but as bridgenail so aptly puts it, his job was to turn the equipment on and off. Other than transferring the files to us, he did nothing to alter the content of the recording, nor should he have.
She recorded in a performance space at her music school, with her teacher and a familiar accompanist, both of whom counseled her on which was the best take to submit.
For grad school, she coerced an audio production student with pizza and beer to run the equipment in one of the school’s performance halls. And after college, she’s been using homegrown equipment to submit recordings for jobs.
We are all set on this. Thanks. We have our music teacher who is a pro at this. Just had the question about sound engineer. I asked one of the colleges and was told not needed.
thanks to all.
Do it yourself. That way you won’t have to worry about limited time and your kid can keep retaking until they get something they are satisfied with!
BTW I want to have my son professionally recorded. He wouldn’t even let me buy a decent video recorded. He used the single sense digital reflex camera he had and shot video and audio from it after his teacher said it was fine! I was bedside myself. But it worked! He ended up getting into a top conservatory. I don’t thing the quality of the recording matters nearly as much as the quality of the performance. Do whatever it takes to make sure your kid and his teacher is satisfied that the take you use shows of your kids true potential.
BTW Eastman’s website as a great video tutorial on recording.