Performances + Events
Recording and Performance Technology Services
NEC’s Recording and Performance Technology Services team provides support for performances, self-use recording and streaming systems, concert hall presentation systems, and studio recording.
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Performance Hall Self-Run Technology
Session Booking Calendars
Recording and Performance Technology Services
College Services
Many of the ensemble concerts — not including master classes or class recitals — occurring in NEC’s eight concert halls are audio/video recorded and live-streamed by the RPTS team. Services are determined well ahead of time and approved by the Chief Artistic Officer. Petitions for additional services or add-on concerts will be determined after consultation with the Chief Artistic Officer and the production team. In all cases, requests must be made at least a month in advance of the concert date, or by May 1st for summer events. For information regarding student recitals, please see Services for Required Recitals.
Requests for services must be made in person or via email. No requests will be taken over the phone. Email requests should not be considered valid until a confirmation has been sent by RPTS. We recommend making requests as early as possible, as all requests are subject to the above vetting process and staff availability.
NEC college recordings of these events are archived in the Blumenthal Family Library. For information regarding obtaining digital copies of concerts, please see Accessing Concert Files.
Best practices for video recording and streaming:
- Use standard concert lighting. Intentionally dim stages only work for the in-person audience. Those viewing a stream or video recording will not be able to see the performers well.
- If you will be speaking from the stage, please use the speaking mic provided. This mic will be lightly amplified in the hall and will allow the person speaking to be heard on the video recording and stream, if applicable.
The RPTS department can provide amplification services in Jordan Hall, Brown Hall, Williams Hall, Pierce Hall, Plimpton Shadduck Black Box Theatre, Burnes Hall, and Eben Jordan Ensemble Room. If your event is in another location, please contact us to reserve a portable 4-channel PA system (PPA).
Requests for amplification services must come from the department chair or administrator in person or via email as early as possible, but no less than one month in advance of the event date. No requests will be taken over the phone. E-mail requests should not be considered valid until a confirmation has been sent by RPTS. We recommend making requests as early as possible, as all requests are subject to staff availability and are not guaranteed. PA requests for summer events must be made by May 1st.
Complete stage diagrams must be provided to RPTS and the Production Office no less than five business days in advance of the event.
Sound check will occur on the day of the event. RPTS will set the stage from 2 – 4pm Sound check is from 4 – 6pm for 8:00pm concerts (4 – 5:30pm for concerts that start at 7:30pm) Given the need for staff dinner breaks, requests for variations to this schedule must be made at the time of booking and cannot be guaranteed.
Since appropriate staffing will be determined prior to the event, and large concerts or elaborate stage changes require additional staff, last minute changes may not be accepted. If applicable, rental fees for equipment that is required for your event but not owned by NEC will be passed on to the requesting department.
The RPTS staff is regularly available to discuss your event and help put together a system which best meets your needs.
Video recordings of NEC concerts staffed by RPTS will be available for NEC community members with an NEC email account to view in the RPTS Recording Archive, which can be found as a tile in OneLogin, roughly two weeks after the event.
If you performed in, conducted, composed, or curated an event, you may request a download of the concert by filling out this form.
See more information about accessing files here.
Audio/Video Recording Package
All on-campus required recitals will be automatically recorded and livestreamed by a member of the RPTS team. See this document for more details.
Your guests may view your recital stream by going to https://necmusic.edu/on-campus/performances-events/streaming-performances/ , selecting the appropriate hall, and entering the current semester’s password into the top streaming window.
Amplification Services
We have both self-run (free) and professionally staffed (paid) amplification options available for most recital dates. See this document for pricing and information.
Projection Services
Brown Hall, Plimpton Shadduck Black Box Theatre, and Eben Jordan Ensemble Room all have self-run projection systems available for Student Recitals. In other spaces, consider renting a projector and screen from R&R. Burnes Hall, Keller Room, and Pierce Hall have systems, however we don’t advise using them for your recital: see the appropriate tech document for your hall.
RPTS will provide an audio-only recording for the following Jordan Hall composition readings booked M-F from 9am-12pm:
Fall semester:
- up to two days of orchestral readings
Spring semester:
- up to two days of orchestral readings
- up to one day of choral readings
- up to one day of wind ensemble readings
- up to two days of Jazz Orchestra readings (these will occur in EJ on Tu or Th from 4-6)
These dates are typically arranged between the composition department and the large ensemble, in coordination with the scheduling department to ensure RPTS availability.
Each composer’s segment from each date will be audio recorded and sent to their NEC email address as an unedited stereo audio (WAV, AAC) file; turnaround time may be up to 1 week. If desired, the composer may contact RPTS to schedule editing time in the studio at standard rates.
While individual pieces can be recorded on multiple dates, factors including microphone placement, engineer, and volume levels will not be consistent from day to day, so editing between dates would not be recommended.
If additional dates are desired, the self-run recording systems found in all halls except Jordan Hall can be used for readings. Please contact the RPTS office to schedule a training session.
RPTS offers professional multitrack audio recording sessions in the Eben Jordan Ensemble Room. Single-video recording can be added on for an additional fee. Discounted studio rates are available for NEC College Students, faculty, and staff.
See the appropriate document for information on pricing and booking:
Expanded Education Students and Faculty
Artist Diploma students can also request multitrack recording services in Jordan Hall. See here for more information.
Studio sessions in the Eben Jordan Ensemble Room are not available to members of the general public. However, Jordan Hall may be reserved by outside renters for multitrack recording: see Concert Halls and Venue Rentals.
Flat Pack Studio
The Flat Pack Studio is a self-run recording space located in the St. Botolph building, Room 116 (to the right of Pierce Hall).
Why Flat Pack, you ask? Like IKEA’s “Flatpack” furniture, NEC provides the building blocks (studio space and gear), but it’s up to you to assemble it for your needs. The studio is intended for musicians to record themselves with upgraded gear, not smartphone or webcam recording. It is not to be used as a practice space.
NEC College students, faculty, and staff can book up to 15 hours per month in the Flat Pack Studio.
See the Flat Pack Studio Policies document for information on policies and how to book time.
Mix Lab
The Mix Lab is a new self-run mixing space located in the Jordan Hall building, room B44 (in the hallway of instrument lockers to the left of the music library).
What is the Mix Lab? The Mix Lab is an editing and mixing room with high-quality 4.1 surround speakers, designed as a “sister space” to the Flat Pack Studio. After you use Flat Pack to record multitrack audio, you can bring those files (or any other audio/video project) to the Mix Lab for post-production!
NEC College students can book up to 15 hours per month in the Mix Lab.
See the Mix Lab Policies document for information on policies and how to book time.
Portable PA
To reserve a portable PA (PPA) for on campus rehearsals or events please contact RPTS well in advance as we have a limited number of systems. The PPA includes a complete four-microphone, portable PA system with four mics, cables, stands, a mixer, two speakers, and speaker stands. If requested, one wireless mic and one stage monitor may be added to this system. Instructions may be found here or you may contact RPTS to set up an in person training.
Borrow Other Gear
The R&R circulating equipment collection is available to anyone with an NEC Onelogin account (faculty, staff, and current college students). The equipment is intended to be used in support of teaching, learning, and performance needs during the academic year, on- or off-campus.
First, see this document for R&R policies and instructions on how to make reservations.
Then, see this document for a guide on selecting, setting up, and operating R&R equipment.
Recording and Performance Technology Services
Alumni & Expanded Education Information
Many of the ensemble concerts occurring in Jordan Hall are audio/video recorded and live-streamed by the RPTS team. Events occurring in other NEC concert halls may be self-recorded and streamed by the EE staff. Please check the Concert Calendar for details.
Upon request, video recordings of concerts featuring students only will be available for download by the performers/composers/conductors/curators. Expanded Education (formerly Prep/SCE) faculty and students, as well as alumni, will be charged $10/concert. These recordings may not be duplicated, uploaded to internet sites, or broadcast in whole or in part, aside from use for auditions, applications, or contest submissions.
RPTS offers audio/video recording, live-streaming, and amplification services for EE student and faculty recitals.
Requests for student recital services must be confirmed with the Operations Manager for the Preparatory School no later than the last Friday in April. Services for faculty recitals may be booked directly with RPTS no less than 30 days in advance.
See this document for information on booking services, and accessing files.
RPTS offers professional multitrack audio recording sessions in the Eben Jordan Ensemble Room. Single-video recording can be added on for an additional fee.
See the appropriate document for information on pricing and booking:
Upon request, video recordings of concerts featuring students only will be available for download by the performers/composers/conductors/curators. Expanded Education (formerly Prep/SCE) faculty and students, as well as alumni, will be charged $10/concert. These recordings may not be duplicated, uploaded to internet sites, or broadcast in whole or in part, aside from use for auditions, applications, or contest submissions.
Concerts recorded before 1994 were originally recorded onto analog reels. These concerts, if not already transferred, will only be available by special permission of the RPTS director.
