Why Tempo Maps, Clicks And Time Signatures Are Crucial For Orchestral Recording

Live orchestral recording brings its own unique set of challenges and they start with accurate click, tempo and time signature setup. Olajide Paris explains how to get it right.  

In a recording session, much of the most important work happens before the session even starts and this is even more true for orchestral recordings. Because so many musicians are involved, good preparation can save you a lot of time, and time in the studio equals money! When you are recording live musicians it's important to consider the end use of your track - particularly whether it will need to be synchronised to picture. In this short video from the course The Orchestral Sessions 103: Prepping for Live Recording, Olajide Paris guides you through the importance of using proper click tracks for timing, and tempo maps for speed changes during a session.

The Orchestral Sessions 103: Prepping for Live Recording

Recording orchestral (and other live) parts to a click track is essential. If the recording has to be synced up to a video later, the editor will need to know its tempo is consistent. When you work with orchestral parts, very often, tempo changes are needed during a performance - either as part of a single piece or so that you can record multiple sections of music in a single project without having to keep creating new projects.

Luckily most DAWs have the facility to do this, and in this short video you'll see how to use tempo maps to record multiple cues in a single project. In fact both tempo and time signature tracks are explored, as well as the option to print an audio click track with your own bespoke sound for your players to use. Watch the other videos in this course for much more information on fast and efficient project setup for flawless live recordings.

Watch the full course The Orchestral Sessions 103: Prepping for Live Recording in the Ask.Audio Academy | macProVideo | Ask.Video

Hollin Jones was classically trained as a piano player but found the lure of blues and jazz too much to resist. Graduating from bands to composition then production, he relishes the chance to play anything with keys. A sometime lecturer in videographics, music production and photography post production, Hollin has been a freelance w... Read More

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