Wolf Hall recording example

[gfsark]

I was quite taken by the music in the BBC series, Wolf Hall. Guess I wasn't alone, since I learned that the music rose to #1 in classical recordings in the UK, and #6 in the US.

As a neophyte recording engineer, I'm now sensitizing myself to what I think are great recordings. And this sounds pretty great to me. The instrument sounds like a lute (with harpsichord) but is something different: "including the theorbo, a lutelike instrument, and the vielle, a type of medieval violin."

Note: The solo instrument starts at :40



Anyway, I'd be happy to get a recording with 1/10 this much presence...also be curious as to the mechanics of the recording studio, mics, gear, etc...

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by gfsark

I was quite taken by the music in the BBC series, Wolf Hall. Guess I wasn't alone, since I learned that the music rose to #1 in classical recordings in the UK, and #6 in the US.

As a neophyte recording engineer, I'm now sensitizing myself to what I think are great recordings. And this sounds pretty great to me. The instrument sounds like a lute (with harpsichord) but is something different: "including the theorbo, a lutelike instrument, and the vielle, a type of medieval violin."

Note: The solo instrument starts at :40



Anyway, I'd be happy to get a recording with 1/10 this much presence...also be curious as to the mechanics of the recording studio, mics, gear, etc...

Who could possibly say who was not directly involved in the production (recording and post recording)?

[alohachris]

Duplicate post

[alohachris]

Aloha Geoff,

You might ask that question in the "High End" forum over at gearslutz. Chances are that someone will know all the details of those specific recordings.

See how important the room or hall are to recording quality?

BTW, I've always been a huge fan of classical music recordings made in some of the great halls & spaces in the world. I would bet that at least some of the musical recordings, such as the one you shared above Geoff, were made in the renowned castles in which the BBS Wolf Hall miniseries are set.

alohachris

[dhalbert]

The "Editorial Review" on Amazon says (emphasis added):

"The soundtrack to BBC-PBS television series "Wolf Hall" brings King Henry VIII's court to life with dances and songs - some of which were composed by the monarch himself. Filmed in the great historic houses in England, the series features specialist early musicians playing live on set. All the Tudor Music for the production has been carefully sourced and arranged by Claire van Kampen, and recorded with the Musicians of Shakespeare's Globe at the famous Abbey Road Studios, London, England."

[gfsark]

The track is about half historic Tudor music, all ensemble music, and possibly some was some of which was recorded on-site in a historic castle or church. The other half (such as the sample above), was written by Debbie Wiseman, and it appears from dhalbert's post, that it was recorded in the Abbey Road studio. Here's some more info on the music:

For example, in “Wolf Hall” the vocal work “Te Deum,” by 16th-century composer John Taverner, is played for Anne Boleyn’s coronation in “Wolf Hall,” because Ms. van Kampen’s research found that it was likely played in Westminster Abbey on that date.

Even the filming process had aspects of the authentic. “The musicians were filmed live playing in the gallery where Henry actually walked with Anne Boleyn,” says Ms. van Kampen. “We all had goosebumps.”

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by gfsark

I was quite taken by the music in the BBC series, Wolf Hall. Guess I wasn't alone, since I learned that the music rose to #1 in classical recordings in the UK, and #6 in the US.



Anyway, I'd be happy to get a recording with 1/10 this much presence...also be curious as to the mechanics of the recording studio, mics, gear, etc...

As Rick pointed out there are so many variables at play hard to know for sure . And I am not quite sure what you mean by "mechanics of the recording studio

But as very generalized statement you can rest assured that ( besides what natural reverb may have been present in the room/s used for that recording)
The rest of the equipment used was top tier high end gear and engineers. Everything from the mic's and pre's, to any dynamic processors or any reverb processors, to the conversion, the recording, mixing, and mastering process and personnel all were likely very top end and top notch

For example for anything recorded, and or mixed & mastered at Abby Road. One need only begin to peruse the web sight, to get an idea of what the possibilities might be.

Check out the studios, the Mic list the Outboard List, the Tech and equipment lists etc.

http://www.abbeyroad.com/

[Joseph Hanna]

Originally Posted by gfsark

Anyway, I'd be happy to get a recording with 1/10 this much presence...also be curious as to the mechanics of the recording studio, mics, gear, etc...

Well yea! You and 99% of all us other mortal audio guys and gals on earth should be pleased with 10% of this quality cause it's really "that" good This is likely Studio 2 at Abbey Road which may well be the epicenter of the greatest sounding room in the Universe.

Taking nothing away from the quality of musicianship and engineering and mastering this room is the brightest example I can think of for a room playing an absolute equal role in recording brilliance. I listened to most of this recording this morning in my bay and it's just a sonic masterpiece.

Beautifully, beautifully done.

[gfsark]

Hi Joseph, I'm happy that you confirm my impression of the sonic quality of the recording. While I've played guitar forever, I've never really focused in on the mechanics and the artform of recording. Just now paying attention. Interesting comment about Abbey Road Studio B. Maybe I'll book a couple hours there when next I'm in England (after I win the lottery). Cheers.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Joseph Hanna

Well yea! You and 99% of all us other mortal audio guys and gals on earth should be pleased with 10% of this quality cause it's really "that" good This is likely Studio 2 at Abbey Road which may well be the epicenter of the greatest sounding room in the Universe.

Taking nothing away from the quality of musicianship and engineering and mastering this room is the brightest example I can think of for a room playing an absolute equal role in recording brilliance. I listened to most of this recording this morning in my bay and it's just a sonic masterpiece.

Beautifully, beautifully done.

I listened on my home studio gear and it is excellent indeed...
Joseph (not to hijack the thread) but just out of curiosity what is the monitoring chain in your "bay"

[Joseph Hanna]

Originally Posted by KevWind

I listened on my home studio gear and it is excellent indeed...
Joseph (not to hijack the thread) but just out of curiosity what is the monitoring chain in your "bay"

It goes from (in this case) iTunes into the Nexus routing plug-in. From Nexus it goes into a dedicated Aux return channel in Pro Tools. That Aux return track is routed independantly (from the session) to the Martin Sound MultiMax. From the Martin Sound it's routed to an Ashley dual 31-band eq (used by Dolby to periodically tune the room). From the Ashley it's routed through a newish pair of Mackie HR-824's

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Joseph Hanna

It goes from (in this case) iTunes into the Nexus routing plug-in. From Nexus it goes into a dedicated Aux return channel in Pro Tools. That Aux return track is routed independantly (from the session) to the Martin Sound MultiMax. From the Martin Sound it's routed to an Ashley dual 31-band eq (used by Dolby to periodically tune the room). From the Ashley it's routed through a newish pair of Mackie HR-824's

OK thanks, Avid keeps saying they are going to fix the HD Core Audio drivers, so I have stalled getting the Nexus. But if they don't soon fix it, I may have to look into getting it