Capturing the sound of a full orchestra, choir, or big band is one of the most rewarding (and demanding) tasks in audio production. From mic placement to room acoustics, there’s very little margin for error when dozens of musicians are playing at once. With that reality in mind, Focusrite Group has released a new free educational resource aimed at helping engineers navigate the complexity with confidence.
Now available via the Focusrite website, Large Ensemble Recording: An Expert Guide is a comprehensive, real-world introduction to recording large musical groups in studio, live, and location settings. Rather than focusing on abstract theory, the guide emphasizes practical decision-making: how to plan sessions, choose microphones, manage signal flow, and deliver polished recordings that serve the music first.
The guide was developed collaboratively by Focusrite and a team of highly respected engineers and producers whose collective experience spans orchestral recording, film scoring, broadcast, jazz, and contemporary music. Leading the project is John Merchant, Director of Focusrite Group Professional, a GRAMMY®-nominated producer, and Professor Emeritus at Middle Tennessee State University. Contributors include Academy Award–winning re-recording mixer Richard King, GRAMMY-winning engineer Steve Genewick, classical producer and engineer Kseniya Kawko, legendary scoring mixer Shawn Murphy, and immersive audio specialist Ricardo Manini.
Together, the team draws on decades of hands-on work in complex recording environments, offering insight into everything from pre-production logistics and venue selection to microphone arrays, spot miking, monitoring, and post-production workflows. The result is a guide that feels grounded in real sessions—not hypothetical ones—making it useful for beginners and seasoned professionals alike.
“As engineers, our goal is always to serve the music while managing the realities of complex recording environments,” Merchant explains. “This guide was created to bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving engineers clear, practical strategies they can apply immediately, whether they’re recording an orchestra in a concert hall, a choir in a church or a big band on location.”
Merchant also notes that large ensemble recording can feel overwhelming for students and educators, simply due to the number of moving parts involved. “We wanted to create a resource that demystifies the process, reinforces good decision-making, and helps the next generation of engineers develop the confidence and critical listening skills needed to succeed in real-world recording situations.”
Blending step-by-step workflows with diagrams and field-tested techniques, Large Ensemble Recording: An Expert Guide positions itself as both a learning tool and a long-term reference. Whether readers are stepping into ensemble recording for the first time or refining an established approach, the guide offers a thoughtful, experience-driven roadmap for capturing music at scale—without losing nuance, balance, or emotion.
Click here to access Large Ensemble Recording: An Expert Guide.
