Record an orchestra
 

Hi everyone,
I apologize in advance for the possibly stupid question.
I have to record an orchestra in a small recording studio, so I will record each section separately. Since I have to record 10 songs, and I'd like to use the same setup for the pro tools project (routing, plugins, etc.), my question is: should I use the same project and record all the songs one after the other or it wold be better to create a project for each song? If so, is there a way to, after processing the first song, apply the same parameters (routing, plugins, etc.) to the other projects?


Thanks


Luca

Re: Record an orchestra
 

Either way works for an orchestral date. I would save after each and every take(something you may already do:D) and save a copy whenever time permits(to another drive).

If you decide to do a separate session for each piece, when the first one is done, Save As Template(uncheck the option to include media) and then do the rest based off the same template. The biggest decider in this is probably time. If someone(producer, conductor, etc) is a clock watcher, working in a single session will be faster(no time waiting for closing and opening sessions):o

Re: Record an orchestra
 

Albee1952, thank you.
In case I work on a single session, is there a way to "reset" the bars count at each marker? Assuming I set a marker at the beginning of each song, I'd like to have the bar count starting from 1 for each song.

Thank you

Luca

Re: Record an orchestra
 

Also if you need to transfer one song somewhere recording everything on one session is a big time waster ;)

My take on this would be having one "master session" with all audio; obviously in this case all in separate takes, but anyhow consider it as one big live gig. Just remember to backup the master session with all audio once everything is recorded.

One can always split songs later. No need to know everything you are going to do before you get started.

Re: Record an orchestra
 

This won't be possible within a single session. Just drop markers so you can find starting points for each "piece". As JFreak said, you can split things out after the tracking is done(or refer to my first suggestion for using a Session Template and track each piece in its own session):o

Re: Record an orchestra
 

Actually it is, in case all of the material share the same tracks and all. Group everything, create playlists, start each song (take) from zero -- done.

Re: Record an orchestra
 

Seems unlikely that each song would share the same tempo/meter, no?:-)

Re: Record an orchestra
 

Orchestral music is rarely performed against constant tempo. It fluctuates, which means using seconds in main meter. I believe seconds are same length for each song, aren't they :cool:

Re: Record an orchestra
 

Touche' ! :D

Wasn't trying to be a smart-ass at all (I probably failed)... but OP did say this:

Bar count in PT session- given the idea to "nest" each song in a PT playlist using matching tracks in the same "master" session- would be dependent on meter/tempo in the session wouldn't it? I understand that orchestral music tempo varies quite often... I'm just trying to figure out how I would do this myself. I've always created separate sessions for each song in the past when I've found myself in this situation.

Re: Record an orchestra
 

Sure. There is only one tempo map in a session so if you need bars|beats (and want to start each song from zero seconds) you have no other option than having each song in its own session.

Of course, if it isn't too awkward and you really want to keep all your stuff in the same session, you could start first song from beat 001, second song from beat 101, and so on. But in the end it is more trouble than splitting the stuff into multiple sessions.

Re: Record an orchestra
 

That depends on how fast you're traveling while recording! :D

Re: Record an orchestra
 

1 large session for tracking (keep all at sample base)
Most composers have feel tempos plus engineering needs to keep consistent take and pickup tempo/ meters. (Make detail accuracies in post)
Have a click (no accent) tap during rundown record then off as a pre count reference.
Or score markings (allegro=132 bpm) Leave space between sections.
Adding meter ID+ Can bring start for pre-count measure to 1
Could go on...
For me I stay linear and use playlist duplicate for every part (group all)
Clean up later.

Re: Record an orchestra
 

as soon as overdubs are an option i try to have 1 session per song.
overdubs call for playlists pretty fast. (can we just quickly redo section C with the 1st violins only? o wait, let's use it as a double) an there goes your template...

add playlists and groups, occasionally add a few tracks and do that on a all-songs-in-one-session and desaster is near. if you add a track to a group that already had playlists, funky things can happen when changing playlist...



i recently got a session of a piano trio to mix that was build in this manner. 340 ***ing tracks, for a jazz TRIO!!!:eek::eek::mad::confused:
with mutes, deactivated, cryptic tracks, takes, playlists allover the ***ing place. it took me 1 day and a few phone-calls and session-pics mailed accros the globe to get this sorted so that i eventually could START mixing.


It takes less than 1 minute or the time to properly tune a violin to do a SAVE AS, hit CMD SHIFT A, CMD SHIFT B and remove all markers and you are ready to go.

Re: Record an orchestra
 

I have definitely used the Bar 1 then Bar 101 (or 1001) then Bar 201 (or 2001), etc. for each cue. This requires the session to be setup that way in the first place, but can work quite well.

Another option would be to "Renumber Bars" each time you jump to another cue/song.