Recorded auditions

saxplayersdad · 10-11-2012, 08:31 AM

My son is in the process of applying to a number of schools that allow (or require prescreen) with video auditions. Question - - how do you get the best quality video audition? Did you do it yourself?

Any recording studio I have spoken to seems to do audio and video seperatly to get thbe best sound - but I know that won't fly for admissions

woodwinds · 10-11-2012, 08:42 AM

I am curious as to which schools require a DVD prescreen recording for saxophone. I've only seen CD requirements thus far.

For equipment, I have been using the Zoom H1 for audio, and the Zoom Q3 for video. I record my daughter using both. That way i've got both audio and video (even though I can convert the video later to audio only), and using two recording devices serves as a back-up should one stop working during the recording. I have used this method for all of her applications, including national-level competitions she has won, so I think they are perfectly suitable for conservatory prescreen recordings.

megpmom · 10-11-2012, 09:18 AM

I just noticed that Peabody is requiring video for voice this year. So....son needs to re-record for them. But we have been using the Zoom Q3 for other recorded auditions, with excelent results. Video is so-so, audio is excellent. We found that it helps to have extra lighting dependng on where you are recording.

OperaDad · 10-11-2012, 02:28 PM

> how do you get the best quality video audition?

Do you really want to spend the money for that? Decent video and great audio is what you want. Here is what I did:

The local conservatory that primarily gives music lessons to kids has their music hall wired to record audio. My church also had a great sound system, and it had better acoustics.

So, get the audio recorded by one of those. Since I was on the sound team for church, I could do it myself. Otherwise, pay the conservatory, or tip the church's sound guy. One benefit of the Conservatory route is that they edited the audio into tracks, and normalized the sound level.

At the same time, you record with a good quality home video camera.

The next part takes a little know how:

upload the video to your computer, and transfer the audio.
Use movie making software to replace the audio track from the home video camera with the better audio track from the sound recording.
do this for each song
build your audition cd/dvd from the songs

Note: Do multiple takes of each song. But, pace the student so you don't wear them out. Record the songs that are easiest on the student first, then the harder songs. You don't want to record the harder songs, and have nothing left for the easier songs.

musicamusica · 10-11-2012, 02:44 PM

"Use movie making software to replace the audio track from the home video camera with the better audio track from the sound recording."

I would not recommend this, it is considered "editing" and is frowned upon. For example: "Recordings must be genuinely performed by applicants and may not be edited" (From Juilliard.)

glassharmonica · 10-11-2012, 04:02 PM

musicamusica, I've never attempted something like that, but would it be considered editing if you are matching sound with a video that was recorded simultaneously? It's from the same moment in time, so would that truly be considered cheating? I know of families who pay video companies to do this very thing. I do feel totally out-classed knowing that we're using a home videocamera or a zoom and many families are using expensive recording equipment.

musicamusica · 10-11-2012, 04:13 PM

That's a good question....perhaps I misunderstood, I thought that he was referring to "a better track" rather than THE track. (THE as in only)
Obviously it does not take much to throw me off!

Rather than doing this yourself or hiring an expensive video recording outfit.....has anyone considered approaching sound recording students at local colleges or universities? D does this still (as a professional), the kids have access to great equipment, all the current technology and generally only charge around $240 per session.

spunk61 · 10-13-2012, 09:29 PM

My daughter is a year away from this stage but I already was looking into this. This first video is super helpful for combining audio and video. It doesn't seem too difficult. The 2nd video is just helping with getting the right audio since that is probably more important. Good luck!

Syncing Audio with Video in REAPER - YouTube

Audio Recording Techniques : Tips on Vocal Recording - YouTube

jb1966 · 10-29-2012, 10:42 PM

The most important thing is that your kid is as relaxed and focused as possible. Besides being a musician I work as an audio engineer and I've watched in horror over the last few years kids and parents struggling with prescreens. I recommend using a fairly new digital video recorder and shooting it either at home or at the teacher's studio. Having the teacher around to coach and having your kid in a familiar sounding room is much more important than higher audio quality.

One problem with using the built in mics in the video camera is that to get far enough away for the full body shot most places want the sound gets jumbled. Most cameras have a place to plug in an extension mic and having one closer to your kid can give the schools what they want which is clarity. I have the keys to a big cool recording studio with all kinds of German tube mics and mixing boards that look like the inside of a space station and I'm not taking my D anywhere near it. I'm recording her with a home camera and a remote mic in her teacher's living room. I'm also running a separate audio recorder for combing later but I wouldn't recommend this unless you know what you are doing. I think the vibe and support of the teacher are much more important than the tech end. Besides 99% of the studios aren't set up for classical music and sound like #$@%. And for God's sake stay away from recording students :-)

spunk61 · 11-07-2012, 11:22 PM

nice post jb1966

headoflife · 11-09-2012, 12:48 PM

I am considering getting a Zoom Q3 or Zoom Q3HD to do the whole thing, or using a mic with our current video capabilites, using either my son's Ipod Touch or our old camera.

What would you do? He plays trombone, and needs to record unacompanied, in cas that matters.

Not sure if we will record at home, in a local church, or his school, but I am not too worried about any of those set ups giving him nerves.

Thanks for any help!

saxplayersdad · 11-18-2012, 05:45 PM

Found an inexpensive recording studio for audio, will simultaneoudly tape on camcorder and "edit" the two together (audio from same take as video).

on 'editing" - I know you can't edit during pieces/sclaes, etc. How about 'between" pieces . It seems like different schools want the pieces in specifi order (1 concerto, 1 etude, all schales - the next one wants 2 concerto/movements, 2 etudes, etc.).

Can I 'edit' the pieces into the right order without it being considered editing. We know not to add reverb or any other 'tricks' - just trying to satisfy varying requirements

woodwinds · 11-18-2012, 06:06 PM

You can record each movement, scale or etude separately.

Not sure about recording video and audio separately and then combining. I would ask if that si permissable

alexmariejp · 12-04-2012, 10:48 AM

We just did this and found the info here that worked very well! We used our ipad and bought the apogee mic. We were able to do the HD video and sound in this way and we were able to do the recordings at home, where the daughter was very comfortable.

The mic cost about $200, but was well worth it. She will definitely be able to use it in college as well.

Good luck!

SopranosGotPower · 12-04-2012, 05:28 PM

For my prescreening voice recording, I did it in my living room with a higher priced mic (not over $50) with a CD accompaniment. The most editing I did was put another layer of the CD accompaniment clip over my voice so the professors can hear the accompaniment. It wasn't professional, and I got called back to audition at Oberlin (I'm still waiting for CCM).