Recording Orchestral Score in Prague - Experiences?

[Dom]

I am thinking of recording an orchestral score in Prague this summer. Has anybody any experiences (recommendations, hazards) to share? I started to talk to an agency (http://www.musa.cz/) and they seem pretty on the ball.

I have recorded 2 scores in Budapest and, although the playing was good, I wasn't entirely happy. They didn't like playing with headphones and timing with click and loops was not as tight as I can get it in London. Also the technical side was a bit hit and miss. The first time I recorded a Mafilm studios and that was a very good studio but second time round I was at the State Opera with a portable recording rig brought in and that wasn't great.

But I hear a lot of people go to Prague now and are happy with the results. Any advice is hugely appreciated - I'll send a postcard [:)]

[DG]

@Dom said:

I am thinking of recording an orchestral score in Prague this summer. Has anybody any experiences (recommendations, hazards) to share? I started to talk to an agency (http://www.musa.cz/) and they seem pretty on the ball.

I have recorded 2 scores in Budapest and, although the playing was good, I wasn't entirely happy. They didn't like playing with headphones and timing with click and loops was not as tight as I can get it in London. Also the technical side was a bit hit and miss. The first time I recorded a Mafilm studios and that was a very good studio but second time round I was at the State Opera with a portable recording rig brought in and that wasn't great.

But I hear a lot of people go to Prague now and are happy with the results. Any advice is hugely appreciated - I'll send a postcard [:)]

In my experience the best has been Budapest. PM me if you want to know the contacts of who I used. Prague was not very good either technically or musically as I felt that the the players weren't up to it. The worst experience has been Bulgaria; total nightmare... [[:|]] I'm afraid that I would always record in London now, as I think that I could probably make a sample orchestra sound better than most Eastern European orchestras. This is not to say that they can't play well, they can, but not in the way that is required for film sessions these days. I'm afraid that you get what you pay for.

DG

[dackl]

I know a very good mixer from New York, Gary Chester, who has a company that specializes in Prague recordings. You can look at his website at www.praguerecording.com.

His credits are a mile long. He was the head mixer at the Edison for many years until Lenny Kravitz bought and closed it.

Best of luck,
JD

[Dom]

Thanks both of you for the advice. I just had someone on the phone who also said that Budapest was better - better strings, more discipline etc.

Yes, DG, I would record in London if poss but have just done 7 films in short succession that use a combination of around 25 (London) players and VSL and other samples and I am getting a bit bored of the sound of the samples and also of the fact that we never have enough players (risky divisi etc).

The thing is the samples sound the same every day, whereas each live session is different and exciting. Also I noticed that I my composition started to adapt itself too much to the samples, i.e. just writing what sounds god on samples.


Dom



[/quote]

[mathis]

@Dom said:

The thing is the samples sound the same every day, whereas each live session is different and exciting. Also I noticed that I my composition started to adapt itself too much to the samples, i.e. just writing what sounds god on samples.

yep. exactly.

[handz]

What are you going to record?
Prague is good for Classical recordings without doubt. Much more better than Budapest IMHO.

[DG]

@handz said:

What are you going to record?
Prague is good for Classical recordings without doubt. Much more better than Budapest IMHO.

Naaaaaaaaaaaaah...

DG

[Dom]

I am planning to a mixture of classical and contemporary - film score stuff with prerecorded loops etc.

I think in both places you can always o very good classical recordings -ie existing works. Just look at the Naxos CDs. Film music is a more technical thing though: musicians wearing headphones etc. I hear that the Smecky Scoring Stage in Prague is quite a difficult place to be working in.

Apparently there is a really nice studio in Budapest now (but what is it called, DG?). I've recorded at the Opera (not great) and at Mafilm (good, but gone now).

Dom

[fitch]

dom, check your pm [:D]

[DG]

@Dom said:

I am planning to a mixture of classical and contemporary - film score stuff with prerecorded loops etc.

I think in both places you can always o very good classical recordings -ie existing works. Just look at the Naxos CDs. Film music is a more technical thing though: musicians wearing headphones etc. I hear that the Smecky Scoring Stage in Prague is quite a difficult place to be working in.

Apparently there is a really nice studio in Budapest now (but what is it called, DG?). I've recorded at the Opera (not great) and at Mafilm (good, but gone now).

Dom

Most recently I recorded with the Budapest Film Orchestra at the Radio. For more details see www.concertmedia.com

DG

[pavel_k]

Hello,

I am living in Prague so if you need a help write me. In Prague there are more then one studio and one orchestra and Smečky is not the best one.

My address is pavel@prahanet.cz. Have a nice time

Pavel Kalina, composer

[Dom]

Thanks Pavel, I went to record at CNSO ten dayss ago which was pretty good - a very live room tough. I'll be in touch when I'm over next !