Classical Recording: A Practical Guide in the Decca Tradition(Audio Engineering Society Presents)

Classical Recording: A Practical Guide in the Decca Tradition is the authoritative guide to all aspects of recording acoustic classical music, providing detailed descriptions, diagrams, and photographs of fundamental recording techniques such as the Decca tree, post-production workflow, and the practicalities of working on location. This updated and revised second edition has expanded sections on critical listening and microphone placement troubleshooting, as well as two new chapters on overdubbing and the audiovisual considerations of filming a classical music performance. The book gives practical advice on the other essential skills involved in successfully producing a classical recording, including: the practicalities of running a recording session on location, the skills needed as producer, working in imperfect surroundings, using artificial reverberation alongside the real thing, dealing with overdubs, working with sound and picture, workflow from session to edit suite, and creating a seamless edited master. Written by engineers with years of experience working for Decca and Abbey Road Studios and as freelancers, Classical Recording equips the student, the interested amateur, and the practising professional, with the required knowledge and confidence to tackle everything from a solo piano to an opera, and a choir or symphony orchestra.

Table of Contents:
Part 1: Before Recording 1. Listening Skills 2. Acoustics and The Recording Venue 3. Studio Techniques and Working On Location Part 2: Recording 4. Basic Two-Microphone Stereo Techniques 5. Solo Instruments 6. The Piano 7. Voice – Solo and Accompanied 8. Solo Instruments With Piano 9. The Decca Tree 10. Ancillary Microphones 11. Surround Sound Techniques 12. Solo Instruments and Orchestra 13. Chamber Ensembles 14. Wind, Brass and Percussion Bands 15. Organ 16. Choirs 17. Solo Voice, Orchestra, and Choir 18. Overdubbing 19. Recording Sound and Picture Together Part 3: After the Recording Session 20. Mixing 21. Editing and Post-Production 22. Mastering

About the Author :
Caroline Haigh spent 18 years working in post-production for Decca and Abbey Road Studios, and is currently an associate lecturer on the Tonmeister course at the University of Surrey, UK. She continues freelance work as a classical producer/editor including for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. John Dunkerley is one of the world’s most highly respected classical recording engineers who learnt his craft with Kenneth Wilkinson at Decca. His 50-year career has included work with countless major artists, and his recordings have won over 15 Grammys. He continues to teach recording techniques. Mark Rogers worked at Decca, Abbey Road Studios, and Warner Music before becoming a freelance producer/engineer for clients such as the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Awards for his recordings include a Grammy. He is a University of Surrey Tonmeister graduate, and now visiting lecturer.

Review :
‘This book has become an indispensable teaching tool for the Tonmeister undergraduate degree course. Since making it a reference text there has been a significant improvement in the standard and consistency of the students’ recordings. This has been coupled with a noticeable lift in student confidence when recording their first sessions, and the robust techniques covered have also had an impact beyond the classical field.’ Rupert Flindt, University of Surrey, UK ‘I cannot imagine a more comprehensively written book about the principles and practicalities of the Decca approach to recorded sound. It is packed with useful facts. The book is essential reading not only for students but also anyone with a true interest in the art and science of recording music is such a way that it connects with the listener. This book will remain relevant for decades to come.’ Simon Eadon, Abbas Records – on the 1st Edition ‘This book distils the thoughts and techniques from the pioneers of the business into a definitive reference book for anyone who works in recording or has a passion for recorded music. Wherever you use a microphone, from drum kits to Mahler’s 8th symphony, from bathrooms to concert halls, you’ll discover a wealth of techniques and set ups to help deliver the best musical experience from the kit you have. My aim when recording and mixing is to aim for a specific sound which I hear inside; a specific identity and character which works hand-in-hand with the music. This book is the springboard to help anyone achieve that goal.’ Jonathan Allen – on the 1st Edition ‘The authorship(s) from three Decca experts draw on their impressive and vast experience to illuminate one of the greatest traditions of classical recording. This book will become the necessary reference for any engineer or producer wishing to gain an understanding of the timeless techniques that can be employed in any modern recording.’ Peter Cobbin and Kirsty Whalley, Such Sweet Thunder – on the 1st Edition ‘This is just the sort of book I wished I'd owned when I was starting out 30 years ago!’ Simon Rhodes, Senior Engineer, Abbey Road Studios – on the 1st Edition