jojo25 - Posted - 09/10/2025:  08:16:25

I imagine this topic...or something closely akin to it...has emerged before...nevertheless...what methods are best for recording the ensemble sound of OT?...way too often I see vids of live performances of OT bands that seem to default to one mic setups where the musicians try to "self-balance"...each musician trying to be in the exact right spot (if there is a right spot) so their contribution is perfectly balanced with the rest of the band...or...where they take turns being closest to the mic...and default into bluegrass folks taking "breaks"...self balancing can work...but my observation is that it seldom does...and recording studios...who out there has actually managed to do a good job of recording OT bands in studio? the concept of "you go in that sound proof room...put on these headphones to hear the rest of the band...and lay down your 'track""... just doesn't work for me...OT is one of the musical forms where "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" apply...it is my view that OT at its best is the fiddler and the banjo player reacting in real time to each other...and that the literal interaction of the sounds from the two create "new" sounds that neither instrument is producing...the "whole" thing...but sound eng. seem to want each instrument isolated...so they can manipulate it as they see fit...and they hate having another instrument/s "bleeding" into the fiddle mic (for example)...and I hear way too many OT recordings where the banjo is way too far in the background...who is getting this right? and what methods are they using to get it right?

DerekGoodman - Posted - 09/10/2025:  09:06:01

If a band records live in studio together its not hard to close mic everyone and mix it. Bleed is hardly the end of the world unless youre recording in a phone booth. Pretty sure the mixes you're listening to are entirely deliberate and done by someone who want the banjo at the level its at.



One-mic recording is a gimmick done by bands who want to seem authentic and old timey. They're more concerned with image than levels and theres not much that can be done about that!

Edited by - DerekGoodman on 09/10/2025 09:07:26

Joel Hooks - Posted - 09/10/2025:  10:39:29

What is "old time sound"? Are you able to be specific?

tdennis - Posted - 09/10/2025:  13:25:35

Tracking down the "old time sound " is like searching for a snipe.

google.com/search?q=boy+scout+...IBCTEzNTM

Edited by - tdennis on 09/10/2025 13:28:27

mrphysics55 - Posted - 09/10/2025:  16:53:52

Snipes do exist.

KCJones - Posted - 09/11/2025:  06:51:35

If you're looking to emulate a specific sound, the best approach is to find out what equipment was used, how it was used, and then use it too. There's 1000 different "old time sounds". The answer depends on who you're trying to emulate.

IMO the mixing on some of the Earthwork Music Collective albums is great. Specifically, the mix of Red Tail Ring, Bowhunter, and Right Hand Round albums, for me, captures the essential "old time" sound. But that's because that's the "old time" music I started with. It may be different for you.

RB3 - Posted - 09/11/2025:  08:23:16

How old?