Recording accessories

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀?

When we record chorale music, we cover metal music stands with scarves or towels for two reasons:

𝟭. 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹: Bare metal reflects sound back toward the singers, which can affect how they hear themselves and muddy the recording. Fabric absorbs those reflections so the sound projects more naturally into the room.

𝟮. 𝗡𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Paper scraping on metal is surprisingly loud in a recording. A soft fabric layer keeps page turns and score movements quieter.

Even great soloists think about this: when we recorded opera legend Jessye Norman, she used a special music stand with holes in it so her voice wouldn’t bounce back at her while she sang.

More photos from our terrific week recording with True Concord Voices & Orchestra to come!