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unamplified orchestras or bands?

Starting from 18th Century, brass instruments began to intrude a classical chamber orchestras. L.V.Beethoven was probably the pioneer in coupling strings and brass.
We all know that tuba will sound much louder than viola and trumpet will be much lowder than violin.
We also want to hear both parts of instruments in the orchestra.
I assume that today in 21st Century the microphones to string instruments are closer than to brass instruments incide the concert hall.
Brass instruments are designed to sound loud enough on the open street while violin you have to listen inside the room with good accoustics.
How would such orchestra sound unamplified or unequalized?
How was it done back on the 18th Century?
Probably brass musicians had to realy control the breath not to sound realy loud?
128x128marakanetz

Showing 1 response by phild

phild
603 posts
 
Hi Marakanetz,

I suppose, as mentioned above, some engineers probably mic an orchestra that way, but many of the best classical recordings are very very simple...one to three mics...that's it. The band practices (with the conductor) to make sure that all of their individual volume levels are appropriate for various movements. That's all part of playing in an orchestra. If the hall, orchestra, and conductor are decent, the sound should be balanced without any technical tricks.
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