Audio stuff - my solution to recording a high school jazz band performance to 
create an audition tape.

Scenario:
    Needed to record to DAT, CD-R, or Cassette Tape, in that order of 
preference, 3 songs performed by a high school jazz band.  This audition 
recording will be used to select the top 15 high school jazz bands.  These 15 
bands will get to go to NY and learn/play together with some of  the top US 
jazz performers.  Obviously, the recording quality needs to be good, VERY 
GOOD.  Since the high school band program doesn't have enough money in their 
budget to go to a recording studio, the Band Booster Org was asked to try and 
workout an alternative method.

Band Size:  (17 performers)
 In rows back to front - right to left.         
 Third row - 4 Trumpets, Drums  (Trumpets Stand on Chairs)    D        T    T 
   T   T
 Second row - 4 Trombones, Standup Bass (Standing)        SB    Tb   Tb   Tb  
 Tb
 First row - Clarinet, 5 Saxes, Piano (seated)                   P          S 
 S  S  S  S      C
                

Location for Recording:
    High School Band Room - about 50' wide x 40' deep.  Has acoustic ceiling 
tiles and pyramid shaped cones for sound dispersal.

Equipment Used:
    Mackie 1402 mixer       -   $450
    3 AKG C1000s condenser mics -   $180 each
    2 Shure SM58 mics       -   $99 each
    1 Shure Beta Kick Drum mic  -   $220
    4 boom mic stands       -   $40 each
    1 short mic stand           -   $10
    1 double mic holder     -   $15
    6 50' XLR cables            -   $35 each
    1 50' ¼" mono cable     -   $30
Net Audio equipment cost            $1833

Recording Format Selected:
    CD-R  (The band program already owned a  Phillips CD-R/RW deck.) If you 
need to purchase this unit, street price is around $500.

Mic placement:
    2 of the AKG mics were mounted on the double mic holder and place in an X 
pattern about 30" from the floor just in front of the Saxes.  They were 
pointed up at about 30 degrees or about the angle/heights of the 3 rows.  The 
AKG which points to the left side of the band was connected to input 1 and 
the right AKG on input 2 of the Mackie mixer.  One Shure SM58 was placed in 
front and between the Clarinet and 1st Sax.  This mic was on input 3 of the 
Mackie (Soloist mic, muted while not in use).  The remaining AKG was place at 
the Piano aimed into the open cover with bias towards the high notes.  The 
Piano mic was on input 4.  The Shure Beta was placed about 8" in front of the 
bass drum and connected to input 5.  The 2nd Shure SM58 was placed on a boom 
mic stand point down at an angle through the high-hat towards the snare drum. 
 This mic was connected to input 6.  BTW, the first 6 inputs on the Mackie 
1402 are mono with balanced XLR or ¼" jacks.  Finally, the stand up bass 
fiddle had its own amp so a cable with ¼" jacks was connected to the amp's 
pass through into the mono side of stereo input, (lines 7/8), on the Mackie.

The outcome:
The tape out RCA jacks on the Mackie were connected to the Phillips CD-R/RW's 
analog inputs.  Using headphones and a lot of trial and error, the levels of 
the different mics were adjusted until we got a "mix" that the band directors 
were happy with.  Finally, we recorded to a RW disc.  Though I'm sure this 
was nowhere near the quality that a recording studio could provide, I feel 
that the audio quality achieved was a tremendous value.