Freesound Forums
massive people recording - 3 to 4000 people this time
Started June 12th, 2008 · 4 replies · Latest reply by Bram 16 years, 5 months ago
so, errmm, there is a 95% probability that in september we will be doing a 30 to 45 minute mass people recording with 3 to 4000 people.
before we tacle the "what kinda sounds" problem, the question is of course: what kinda tech!
This is a picture of the place:
http://us4.pixagogo.com/S5z2!f82IQM34Yd2uCxRMotsu6eh-Sn4D!7Z8-l5jLokQqoCf-L9bM-lEePnb9ju2gyRAUDeA4yxs84GVPqKF1lHYbpP-q0uGxve60rnXVjjFltWq9i6a!Yg__/graslei-G9WL0293-020507.JPG
A stage will be suspended just below (seen from this picture) the bridge. The stage is suspended above the water.
All people are spread out in front of the stage, on the left and right-hand banks of the water.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime oportunity, so the idea would be to capture it well, but of course budgets aren't infinite.
How would you do it? And -if you live near belgium- wanna help? 
- Bram
With the reverb of the bridge/water table/buildings, that's gonna be an interesting setup...
Only thing clear to me is is... give a lifesaver to all people on stage and disallow alcoholic drinks
(curious pic, looks like shot from a ballon by some Baron of Munchhause or something...)
J
I would tend to use as many as microphones are available as a so called outtrigger and spread them consistent to the crowd. There will be the same problem as when you are going to record large choirs. In the worst case the record sounds like less people than the reality was. Most one main stereo system is used in combination of additional outtrigger support mics. For the main system I would like to suggest an AB system (omnidirectional pressure sensors with a given distance between them). Do not use cardioids. They will have a poor response on low frequencys especially on large distances. You do not need an exact localization of phantom sound souces for this pupose. Therefore a AB system is IMHO the better choice. For the support mics you can use cardioids.
BTW: Omnis are less sensitive for wind distoration, a big advantage while being outdoor.
-Erdie
here's some more pictures from both sides of the canal:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/392524
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/529575
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/739258
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/938854
and this one is of particular interest:
http://flickr.com/photos/sempermagis/44981546/
I'm guessing that getting some boats and do the recording from there would be wonderful!
- Bram