I had the same experience at the RCA studios in NYC when Chesky records did the next to last recording in that space. We were recording the Red Rodney quintet. When I walked out of the studio into the control room while they were rehearsing I thought if we get 10% of that on record we're lucky. That doesn't mean the recording wasn't enjoyable, but that an eye (ear) opener.I first realised this many years ago....
I live in a small(ish) seaside resort on the south coast of the UK. By a quirk of fate the 'town band' - first created over 100 years ago - has turned into a world class orchestra - the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
I have had the chance to hear the orchestra on many occasions over the years, in varous local venues.
What I can categorically state is that the Orchestra - live - sounds nothing like any recorded version of any of their music . Same for any orchestra.
The best microphones, the best mixers and audio recorders do not even come close to reproducing all the aspects of sound that make a live concert so special..... The 3 dimensional sound space, the subtle interactions at ultrasonic frequencies, the totally uncompressed dynamic range ... the list goes on.
Here we are discussing the benefits - or otherwise - of artificial nuances in electronic items that can only make a falry crude stab at capturing the subtleties of the real acoustic world...... Even the very best don't really come that close.
Good fun experimenting though !
When the studio closed all the history went with it - I have somewhere Arturo Toscanini - Beethoven's 9 Symphonies recorded there. Broke my heart. Now the IRS has that space.
