The Essentials

Of course - technical facts arouse one's enthusiasm and can be easily enumerated. Even still, it is true that completely different factors are decisive for the sound quality of a recording:

1. the musicians / the interpretation
2. the instruments
3. the recording room or hall
4. the placement of the microphones
5. the selection of the microphones
6. the mixing of the recording

- in precisely that order!

If the sound engineer's responsibilities are limited to the technical processes of a recording, in the narrower sense of the word, then his area of influence begins with point 4.
At audite, however, the ideal of the "recording producer" is still held in highest esteem. Here, the sound engineer is responsible for all six points.
He is of course in charge of the technical aspects of the recording. But above and beyond that, he works as a cultural advisor to the musicians and exercises an influence on their interpretation. He is often involved in the choice of instruments, also making decisions concerning the recording room or hall and the exact structure of the takes. Only in this way can the optimal r esult be reached in a recording session; only then do the musicians feel understood and in good hands. Only then does that charged atmosphere develop in which really new things can originate.

Microphones

The signal chain begins with the microphone, and the most important aspect of sound creation on the technical level occurs here, too. Microphones are autonomous "personalities" - and the most important part of the entire recording apparatus. Even ten-year-old microphones can be very useful in modern productions. Depending on our specific aim, we use products made by the following firms: Neumann (U47, U87, km130, km134), Sennheiser (MKH20, MKH 40), Schoeps (Mk4, Mk2) and B&K (40011).

Microphone Amplifiers

Regarding the amplification of the sensitive microphone signals, we have not been satisfied with makeshift solutions. We use custom made microphone amplifiers by the cr studiotechnik firm.

Digital Transformers

All of our recordings have been produced in 96 kHz/32-bit recording technology (very rich in detail) and in multi-track technology. We use AD and DA transformers by the RME firm: ADI 8 DS.

Recording Media

At audite, the recording data are recorded directly into the computer, never leaving it during any stage of the production. Tape is "out." This guarantees the highest quality of digital data as well as the fastest access times and considerably simplified management of the takes. The reliability and quality of the connection to the PC is a prerequisite for professional work. Here, we rely on products made by the RME firm.

Montage and Mixing

We use the "Sequoia" programme for the montage and mixing of the recorded take; this programme was developed especially for the demands of the classical recording studio. Ludger Böckenhoff is actively involved as an idea man in the development of this important working tool.

Monitoring

Loudspeakers and headphones are the recording engineer's daily working tools and form the basis of the evaluation of his work. We achieve surround and stereo mixings with a set-up made by the Dynaudio firm (5xDynaudio Air + Air Basel). Moreover, we work with B&W Matrix 801 and loudspeakers by the ATC firm.
The headphones we use are Stax (Lambda Pro) and Sennheiser (HD 580).