[Dixielandjazz] Recording Jazz

[David Ward]

Having read the various postings re. above I thought I may add my thoughts on the subject.
I believe that the best recordings are made when the musicians involved are playing in positions where they can both see and hear each other, each one miked up and mixed by someone who knows their jazz and how it should sound. If it can be done in an auditorium with an audience so much the better.
Interaction between the musos and the audience results in a much more exiting performance than in a situation where the recording engineers have everyone separated.
As well when mixed on the spot on to two track using simple gear,the result is a good clean recording.  You only have to listen to the early electric recordings of Louis and Bix to hear the cleanliness of simple recording methods.
Balance is important but it is not the only thing that matters, so why do recording studios demand what they do just to eliminate splash. Maybe someone could let me know.
I have been recording bands for years including my own band, the Waterfront Cafe Band, and would always put a live recording mixed at the time ahead of one done in a studio and mixed later.
David Ward
Waterfront Cafe Band
Sound Engineer for the Victorian Jazz Archive.
Australia
Phone (03) 9592 1444