Author Topic: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings  (Read 4737 times)

Offline rollo

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LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« on: December 09, 2018, 08:34:32 AM »
  Is it just me ? Finding most studio recordings over engineered and just improper. Recently heard live music at CAF. bought the CD and when listened to the piano was on right side drummer in middle and not consistent positioning of players. With vocal recordings they are in a booth . Why they do dat ?
  Live recordings do not do that. Unless it is a Chesky, RR, Penatone, Chandos studio recording chances are it is wrong. Your take ??


charles
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Offline malloy

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2018, 05:31:46 PM »
Interesting question and observations and I have to agree. I have some questions of my own.  What is the consensus on Clapton's Unplugged album on CD? I know some audiophiles and mags swore by it for testing and listening to music.

On the Cd I have, Clapton's voice is to the right of the soundstage and not dead center. Is this correct or is my room pulling the image to the side? How accurate is the placement of the performers on this recording for those who watched the video?

I also have the GRP big band all stars Live CD, which was an early 90's digital recording that was, if I remember from the notes, released to promote the DCC digital compact cassette. Weckl's drums are punchy but sound larger than life, with the image occupying most of the soundstage from left to right, so if you had the speakers 10 feet or more apart, the drum kit would sound like an enormous giant -sized kit.

Then there is the 2-CD Empire Strikes Back soundtrack with John Williams and the LSO. An engineer I corresponded with many years ago was complaining how all instruments were improperly mixed with the positioning flipped the wrong way from left to right!

Offline rollo

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2018, 07:02:05 AM »
  Clapton is on right side in my system as well. Never watched video so no reference.



charles
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Offline Guy 13

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2019, 12:41:38 AM »
Hi all,
for me, the singnr should be more or less in the center.
In live performance, the singer is more or less in the center,
unless he runs from left to right on the stage and even then,
usualy, he's got the microphone with him.
One thing that anoye me is when the drum is on one side
and at a level too high compared to the remaining of the orchestra.
I am not sure, but I think one of the song of Adèle, the music is too loud,
that makes it difficult to understand the words of the singner.

For me, nothing beats the live performance
and not too often recording of live perforemances are well recorded.
Of course if a live performance is performed and recored in a bathroom,
sound with be.... Well you know.

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Offline rollo

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2019, 04:53:56 PM »
  Correct Guy Live recordings usually are recorded very well. The performers are into it more as well.

charles
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Offline steve

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2019, 07:47:34 AM »
  Correct Guy Live recordings usually are recorded very well. The performers are into it more as well.

charles

Here is a recording I found that I think demonstrates Charle's point. Notice how natural and accurate
the sound is, the enthusiasm as well, when recording live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfxpuV-MJaI

For those new to the hobby, the recording equipment/process often times occupies much more than
50% of the entire recording to finished playback chain. This is due to the complexity of the equipment
used to mix, and often times doctor the recording.

On top of that, consider that many recording studios use poor equipment designs; think of a $200.00 receiver/parts and you get the picture. One article I read mentioned the musical signal can travel through
100 transistors (plus all those other associated parts) during the recording process.

What are the chances the music won't be corrupted? Zero.

Imo, Morgan James and company did a wonderful job in the above live recording.

Cheers
steve
« Last Edit: August 08, 2019, 09:00:10 AM by steve »
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Offline rollo

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2019, 11:20:03 AM »
  Thanks Steve just bought her music. Live of course.

charles
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Offline steve

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2019, 05:13:17 AM »
Morgan is scheduled to concert, with two others, in Washington Illinois January 11, 2019. I am
planning on attending with some other audiophiles/music lovers.

cheers
steve
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Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2019, 07:23:23 AM »
My musical preferences tend to be non-audiophile, so many recordings are just poor, studio or live... I sometimes doubt my system because of this, but then I'll put on a quality recording and will again be at peace with my system. The mastering also comes heavily into play. I've got some songs on both an original release and a compilation album, and the mix can be very different.
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Offline steve

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2019, 09:45:04 AM »
My musical preferences tend to be non-audiophile, so many recordings are just poor, studio or live... I sometimes doubt my system because of this, but then I'll put on a quality recording and will again be at peace with my system. The mastering also comes heavily into play. I've got some songs on both an original release and a compilation album, and the mix can be very different.

Hi Barry,

If you have not checked out this string, I have listed some very well recorded selections for testing
different aspects of one's system.

"Sharing Top Notch Videos and Music...." Some links probably won't work, but most should. Occasionally I
add another link I feel is worthy. The only question is if the music is the type of genre you love. If not, no
sweat.

Cheers and hope it helps Barry.
steve
« Last Edit: August 14, 2019, 01:02:42 PM by steve »
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Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2019, 11:34:40 AM »
Hi Barry,

If you have not checked out this string, I have listed some very well recorded selections for testing
different aspects of one's system.

"Sharing Top Notch Videos and Music...." Some links probably won't work, but most should. Occasionally I
add another link I feel is worthy. The only question is if the music is the type of genre you love. If not, no
sweat.

Cheers and hope it helps helps Barry.
steve

Thanks Steve, I'll take a look.

It's not that I don't have good recordings, it's just that much of what I prefer to listen to, isn't well recorded ;-)
Happiness is when your system overcomes your nervosa ;) 
So much media, so little time... My Media Room...

Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2019, 11:54:09 AM »
P.S. Here's a link to the thread Steve had mentioned
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Offline steve

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2019, 01:16:20 PM »
Hi Barry,

If you have not checked out this string, I have listed some very well recorded selections for testing
different aspects of one's system.

"Sharing Top Notch Videos and Music...." Some links probably won't work, but most should. Occasionally I
add another link I feel is worthy. The only question is if the music is the type of genre you love. If not, no
sweat.

Cheers and hope it helps helps Barry.
steve

Thanks Steve, I'll take a look.

It's not that I don't have good recordings, it's just that much of what I prefer to listen to, isn't well recorded ;-)

I can identify with you Barry. Some of my all time favorites, from 50s/early 60s, are not
well recorded, but I still love them.

The first link I provided in the string, she stated she had not had any singing lessons. How
can that be? Here is a link demonstrating her voice at 13, after singing lessons, and maturing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDESzUuZuC0

I was never an opera lover,,, but singing short pieces, I like it. Next generation coming up.

Here is one from AGT, recorded pretty good, of one who is blind and has autism who sings and plays
the piano. Wow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8rexNlQXFE

Cheers (sorry for tangent)
steve
« Last Edit: August 14, 2019, 05:23:33 PM by steve »
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Offline Nick B

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2019, 04:05:43 PM »
I’m with you guys as well. My first priority is the songs, and then the quality of the recordings. The duet was stunning 👏👏
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Offline steve

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Re: LIVE vs. STUDIO Recordings
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2019, 09:37:13 PM »
I have to admit that there is something that has changed in me as a result of using a superior system.
I now like sopranos now, when I did not before. I don't mean an entire opera, but some music.

Although I have always liked some classical music, I find the music much more compelling, and more
selections simply due to the higher quality, naturalness of the instruments.
 
I can be 'at the movie theatre' (although better fidelity now). I can be at Radio City Music Hall,
Massy Hall, Berlin, London, or Vienna without actually being there. Live recordings do help as well
as the home system.

I wonder if the sopranos on AGT get a fair shake from viewers due to the poor quality speakers used
in homes. Emanne, Laura, Susan, Leona, Amira etc truly have spectacular voices.

What I am saying is that I think our horizons can widen when we upgrade to better systems and use
better quality recordings.

2 cents.
steve
« Last Edit: August 14, 2019, 09:42:03 PM by steve »
Steve Sammet (Owner, Electron Eng, SAS Audio Labs, Ret)
SAS "V" 39pf/m 6N copper ICs,
SAS Test Phono Stage
Acutex 320 STR Mov Iron Cart
SAS 11A Perfect Tube Preamp
SAS 25 W Ref Triode/UL Monoblocks
2 way Floor Standing Test Speakers