Hiring an orchestra - ever heard of this company?

[fusilierb]

I've been researching how much it actually costs to hire an orchestra for a recording. Seems like going to Europe is the most affordable route. Then I found this company, which is based in Los Angeles but uses an orchestra in Europe. Interestingly enough, you can remote into the recording session without having to go across the pond. Has anyone heard of this company or know anything about them?

http://orchestra.net/

[mazz]

Check with Film Music Network. Years ago Mark Northam (FMN CEO) mentioned a place in LA that recorded orchestral music complete with conductor. At the time it was about 1500 for a 15 minute recording session and then some mixing time. I'm not sure what it costs now and that was before the European market opened up.

I can't get that website to come up, orchestra.net

[fusilierb]

Hmm, not sure why the site isn't coming up for you. I checked the link and it works for me. I checked the Film Music Network, at least I think I did. It just looked like a website that listed composer opportunities? I poked around but couldn't find anything else out about them. I might have had the wrong FMN.

[Cruciform]

Hi Brian, FMN do have listings so you were probably on the right site. Mark and his assistant Robyn, are both very approachable and reply fairly promptly. Use the contact link at the bottom of the page. It opens to a new site. Create a new support ticket and a new secure thread is opened that only you and they have access to.

[bassman]

I've been in the very fortunate situation several times of both recording and writing for a string orchestra.

We did it very cheaply by asking students to participate. They were paid a small fee which in the end
amounted to quite a lot and it was a buyout.
The second time I did it was with students as well and they all did it for free. Bless them.

Third time I recorded a 4-5 piece. As the players were first class we finished 1 track in less than 30 mins.

If you do decide to use students I recommend you pick them carefully as not all conservatoire students are
of equal standards.
You'd also need a great conductor who is willing to look over/edit the scores if required.
Team work is the key word here and while you're at it, bring some friends for moral support
you'll need it as it's gonna be a stressful day.

The other thing I've had a lot of luck with is score the strings with you favorite sample library and then hire
1 violin player, 1 viola player and one cello player. Get them to layer each part 4 times with different vibrato and mix them in with
the samples. You'll be surprised how convincing it sounds and how much cheaper it is.

The third option is to go to eastern europe. I've never done it but I've spoken to people who have and the quality was nothing
short of exceptional.

[bassman]

P.s just had a look at the link. Looks very good if you can afford it.

[guitaroboe]

Hey brian,

check these out:


http://czechfilmorchestra.com/

http://www.bso.sk/bso/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=62

http://www.powerstring.eu/


all good

Adonis

[fusilierb]

I apologize for just letting this thread die. I am very interested in this info. Thanks for the replies and links. I've studied them all.

It still seems like flying overseas is the most bang for the buck. But this Los Angeles company saves you the airfare and the lodging/eating/drinking fees. So that has to add into the equation.

I'm not in a big hurry to do this. But I do have some things in progress that I want to hear and to have properly recorded with a real orchestra. Really just for me. And I want to put a dollar figure on what that really costs in some sort of per hour average. So I'm interested in hearing any ideas at all on this subject.

B

[mazz]

If it's really just for you, why not go with a student orchestra? You just might get more rehearsal time and it might not cost you much at all, maybe throw a big pizza party or something. If you are trying to get a professional demo, then it might be worth the money, but if you just want to hear your pieces, working with a college orchestra might afford you the opportunity to even do some re-writing after you hear it up on the orchestra after the first read through or so. Make friends with the professor and you might have some opportunities to get decent performances of your pieces and be able to try ideas out on the orchestra.

If I was going to hire an orchestra, I'd want it to be part of a project so someone else is paying the bill. But that's just me. Right now, anyway.

Good luck!

Mazz

[fusilierb]

i've got to look more into student orchestras for sure. when i say its for me, i mean these are some large scale works for full orchestra that i'm working on for no other reason than ive got ideas and want to write them.

so im gonna end up with something that i'll have to do a mock-up of or will have to win a competition of some sort to hear it performed.

i've been watching these new types of funding sources where basically the public is invited to help fund something they would like to see created. this site is a good example

http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/music

there are people out there who are covering all their recording expenses out there. so i'm doing some leg work to help me figure out a basic formula

how much does it cost per hour to get a professional orchestra recorded professionally?

and then how many people would it take and at what price points to make that happen?

so i'm not planning on spending my money at all. but i am planning on spending money, just need to know what the specific math works out to