Recording and sound reinforcement of
acoustic sources is our specialty.
Softsound engineer Marg Herder grew up
listening to classical music and performing sacred choral works. Her love of
acoustic music extends through choral performance to classical orchestration
and even into traditional folk music.
Recording Clients
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Indianapolis Men's Chorus
"Making the Season
Bright"
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The Indianapolis
Women's Chorus
"To Sing Is To
Fly"
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Softsound has engineered live release
recordings for The Indianapolis Men's Chorus, The Indianapolis Women's Chorus,
The Grand Rapids Women's Chorus, and bluegrass musician Kara Barnard. In
addition we have engineered release CDs and/or other archival live recordings
for Bishop Chatard High School, Columbus East (Indiana) High School, the
Unitarian and Universalist Church of Indianapolis, Fox Hill Elementary School,
and the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus.
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Grand Rapids
Women's Chorus
"Where I
Live"
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Kara Barnard
"Fret Hopping in
Brown
County"
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3rd margaret
"alone..."
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Indianapolis Women's Chorus
"Cradle of
Fire"
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Additional Recording Services
Softsound has administered the CD
production for many of the recordings listed above. This work includes
everything from preparing the production timetable to handling all aspects of
graphic design and CD replication. Even if we don't do the engineering or
recording of your project, we can help you get the best value in producing your
finished product.
The Art of Acoustic Recording
Capturing a live acoustic (classical,
vocal, jazz or traditional) performance is an art. Though under the right
circumstances it is possible to record directly to a stereo master (we did just
that for the Indianapolis Men's Chorus performance of "A Christmas Story -
Through Children's Eyes" featured on their Making Spirits Bright
holiday CD), we prefer to make a multi-track recording and mix later in our
studio.
Stages of the Recording Process
Making a good recording involves several
different stages of work.
The first stage is planning the recording
itself. Good communication between our company and your group during the
planning stage is imperative. We will determine your intentional use of the
recording. We will work with you to determine the best placement for
microphones and sound sources (both acoustical and asthetic considerations are
important) so no portion of the performance is lost. We will set up a schedule
to get the project completed in accordance with your plans. We will contact the
technical director of the venue to work out details, and we will often tour the
venue before the show. And we will request copies of the music you will be
performing.
The second stage is attending and/or
recording your rehearsal. We don't always get a rehearsal in the venue, but we
always hope for one! If we do get a rehearsal in the venue, we use it as a
technical testing ground, making sure that we have designed the system
correctly and have a full understanding of the flow and special considerations
of your performance. After rehearsal we take time to scrutinze the recording
for preventable flaws. We may make performance suggestions after this
listening, or adjust equipment.
The third stage is the recording itself.
The way we see it, our job is to capture your performance in a way that will
not only be an accurate reflection, but also allow room for some subtle
tweeking of a variety of elements to actually improve upon it.
The fourth stage is the rough mix. During
the rough mix stage, we load your project into our audio workstations and begin
to zero in on the proper mixing of each selection to approximate the sound of
the performance. We note trouble spots, both technical and performance, and
begin to explore how to minimize these. We then create digital stereo files of
the performance and send those to you.
The fifth stage is the final mix. Working
from the rough mix provided to you, a revised mix is created. Our goal is to
reach a point where everyone is satisfied that the product sounds as good as
possible.
The sixth and final stage is the actual
production of the product you require. You may require mastered audio files for
combining with video footage for DVD release, you may wish to release the
material on commercially duplicated audio CDs, you may wish to obtain a limited
number of CDs for release to a small select group of people. Whatever your
requirements we can either do the work or coordinate the process for you. We
have working relationships with mastering engineers, graphic designers, and
affordable CD duplication houses. We also can provide quality graphics and
produce small numbers of "burned" CDs in house, if that's all your project
requires.
Prices
Achieving the highest quality recording
of your recital or your group's performance is a priority to us, and we offer
an unmatched level of service, expertise and quality.
Most larger venue live recording work
starts at a minimum of $2,000.00 (per performance date or weekend). Live
recording of an individual's instrumental or vocal recital starts at $500.00.
Please contact
us to discuss your specific project.
Click here to view
our equipment list.
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site index.
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