<p>I'm doing preparatory studies in Budapest at the moment (I'm a bit of late starter, hence my advanced age), and plan to audition mainly for schools here in Europe next year. However, I would like to apply to a few schools in the States as well. I don't have the money/time to go for personal auditions, especially since I will be traveling around to European schools, so I'm only applying to a couple of American schools that allow taped auditions. What quality recording do I need to make? I realize it has to be pretty good, especially since I'm not going for a live audition, but do I need to have it made in a professional studio? I checked out a previous thread on this topic, and the general concensus was that a pro recording is not necessary for preliminary CDs. But what if this is my final audition CD? Is it enough if I make a minidisc recording on my teacher's Steinway? I would appreciate any advice!</p>
<p>I love Budapest! Especially the market.</p>
<p>I have no experience with taped final auditions, but I would think the general advice for prelims follows here as well. First, live auditions are always preferable. Second, if taped, understand that the standards are a bit higher. Schools figure that when you're taping, you have the opportunity for multiple attempts and can choose the very best one, so it better be good. Quality matters. Whether in a recording studio, or home made, no editing is allowed, and if they pick up on it, they'll disqualify you. A mini-disc recording in the right place - with good instrument and good acoustics - would probably be quite acceptable. I suggest you make a recording at your teacher's piano, and listen to it critically. Does your musicality come through? Dynamics? Is there no static or background noise? Does it represent you really well? If so, go for it.</p>
<p>I agree with all that Binx has said.
I also recommend that you offer to pay to have the piano tuned just before the recording.</p>
<p>I think a DVD would be better, since that is proof that you are actually performing and there is no editing involved (except between pieces). Also, the teacher(s) can connect a person with a name. You might start with a short talk introducting yourself and telling a little about you (but not a list of credits or accomplishments).</p>
<p>I really liked the music shop we found in Budapest. There were some excellent buys on classical music editions and instruments, although that was a couple of years back when the dollar was stronger.</p>
<p>I'm not so sure that the short talk at the beginning of the recording (whether audio or video) is a good idea. The first 20 to 30 seconds of your recording may well be the best shot you have at catching someone's attention, so I would recommend putting your best playing there. If you do use a spoken intro, make sure to put a track marker at the beginning of the musical portion of the recording so the listener can skip forward if desired.</p>
<p>Although you will hear stories of people getting into top schools with lousy tapes, I think it is far more common for bad recordings to wind up in the wastebasket. If you have access to decent recording equipment (most importantly good microphones) and have made enough recordings to know what you are doing, then you may be able to do a decent enough job on your own. If you do not have the equipment or knowledge, I highly recommend that you find someone who does. The difference in sound can be astonishing between a piano recorded by the right microphones in the right places and the same piano recorded by a mediocre microphone half a meter away.</p>
<p>Personally, I do not recommend minidisc for critical recordings because they use a lossy compression scheme. The sound quality may only be slightly less than that of a CD, but why throw away any quality if you don't have to?</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! Yes, Budapest is a great city. I've lived in several parts of the world, and Hungary is probably the place I feel most at home.</p>
<p>I'm leaning towards the home recording at the moment. I don't actually mind paying for a professional studio to do the CD, it's just trying to rent a hall in which to do the recording has been a bit problematic.</p>