Aug 17, 2006 1:02 PM

The score for upcoming documentary Dale, about the life of legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, was recently completed at StarCity Recording Company in Bethlehem, Pa. The film was written by NASCAR Images and is scheduled to air in 2007 on Country Music Television (CMT).

The score was performed by a 22-person orchestra, led by composers David Wolfert and John Loeffler. It was then mixed in 5.1 surround in StarCity’s Studio A using the Solid State Logic XL 9000 K Series console.

Scott Perry, chief mixing engineer with NASCAR Images, worked closely with Zak Rizvi, head engineer at StarCity, on this project. “I have been in and out of recording studios over the past 20 years, and this experience was one of the best,” Perry states. “StarCity is one of only a handful of facilities that can accommodate a full orchestra, and the acoustics of its live room are pristine. Additionally, the studio had everything ready for us, ensured that we felt right at home and demonstrated a professional courtesy I have yet to see matched in this business. It had been awhile since I have been in a studio as musically inspirational and sonically capable as StarCity.”

During recording, Perry used the Decca Tree technique, placing three large-diaphragm tube condenser mics high above the orchestra to capture the orchestra’s performance as it sounds acoustically in the room. Because the production was to be delivered as a 5.1 digital mix, an additional array of microphones was used to achieve the surround perspective of the orchestra. The score was performed once through, and then Perry and Rizvi double-tracked it on a separate set of tracks to effectively simulate a 40-plus-piece orchestra.

For more information, visit www.starcityrecording.com.

Mix Books

Modern Recording and Mixing

This 2-DVD set will show you how the best in the music industry set up a studio to make world-class records. Regardless of what gear you are using, the information you'll find here will allow you to take advantage of decades of expert knowledge. Order now $39.95

Mastering Cubase 4

Electronic Musician magazine and Thomson Course Technology PTR have joined forces again to create the second volume in their Personal Studio Series, Mastering Steinberg's Cubase(tm). Edited and produced by the staff of Electronic Musician, this special issue is not only a must-read for users of Cubase(tm) software, but it also delivers essential information for anyone recording/producing music in a personal-studio. Order now $12.95

Newsletters

MixLine

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine takes you straight into the studio, with new product announcements, industry news, upcoming events, recent recording/post projects and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.

MixLine Live

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine Live takes you on the road with today's hottest tours, new sound reinforcement professional products, recent installs, industry news and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.