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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Focusrite Group releases free Expert Guide to Large Ensemble Recording
A comprehensive resource for recording bands, choirs and orchestras
Los Angeles, CA, December 19, 2025 – Audio technology leader Focusrite has announced the release of a new educational resource, Large Ensemble Recording: An Expert Guide, now available free of charge from the Focusrite website. Developed by Focusrite in collaboration with industry experts, the guide is designed to introduce aspiring engineers, producers, educators and students to concepts and applications for capturing high-quality recordings of large music ensembles in studio, live and location-recording environments.
Recording live ensembles presents a unique set of challenges. From microphone selection and placement to room acoustics and signal management, achieving clarity, balance and musicality requires technical precision and creative insight. Whether recording a symphony orchestra, a jazz big band, concert choir or a contemporary ensemble, success begins with a strong foundation of knowledge.
Focusrite’s Large Ensemble Recording Guide delivers practical guidance across every stage of the recording process informed by decades of real-world experience. The guide explores pre-production planning, including venue selection, musician scheduling and logistical considerations; proven microphone techniques for main arrays, spot microphones and section balancing; best practices for signal flow and monitoring to ensure clean, transparent sound capture; and post-production strategies for editing, mixing and delivering professional-caliber recordings. Together, these elements provide a cohesive framework for approaching ensemble recording with confidence and consistency.
The guide was written by a team of seasoned industry professionals, developed in collaboration with John Merchant, Director of Focusrite Group Professional (as well as a GRAMMY®-nominated producer and Professor Emeritus at Middle Tennessee State University). Contributors included Richard King (Academy Award-winning re-recording mixer known for his work in film and orchestral recording); Steve Genewick (GRAMMY-winning engineer and mixer whose credits span classical, jazz and contemporary music); Kseniya Kawko (classical producer and engineer with extensive experience in orchestral and chamber music recording); Shawn Murphy (Academy Award-winning scoring mixer and engineer with decades of experience capturing major motion picture soundtracks); and Ricardo Manini (producer and engineer specializing in large-format recording, live sound capture, and immersive audio workflows). The guide draws from decades of collective experience across orchestral, film scoring, broadcast, and contemporary music production. Blending step-by-step workflows with detailed diagrams and field-tested techniques, the resource reflects real-world recording scenarios faced by engineers at the highest levels of the industry, making it an accessible yet in-depth reference for both emerging engineers and seasoned professionals refining their approach to large ensemble recording.
“As engineers, our goal is always to serve the music while managing the realities of complex recording environments,” said John Merchant. “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 added, “For educators and students, recording large ensembles can be intimidating because of the number of variables 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.”
Whether readers are aiming to learn the basics or seeking to elevate their professional offerings, this new guide serves as an invaluable tool in the journey.
Large Ensemble Recording: An Expert Guide is available now as a free download from Focusrite. Visit HERE to access this professional resource.
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Photo caption 1: Focusrite’s free Large Ensemble Recording: An Expert GuideFor further information, head to www.focusrite.com or contact:
USA: Dan Hughley +1 (310) 341-7265 // daniel.hughley@focusrite.com
Robert Clyne +1 (615) 662-1616 // robert@clynemedia.comAbout Focusrite
The Focusrite brand offers audio interfaces and other solutions for recording musicians, producers, podcasters, and audio professionals alike. Today the company is famous for offering unprecedented sonic performance at every price point, notably the ubiquitous Scarlett range of USB interfaces. Focusrite relentlessly pursues opportunities to inspire creativity through technology, constantly seeking new ways to eliminate technological barriers, without compromising on sound quality.
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