Recording Choir with tracks

I have actually done this several times in the past, but this time it is going to be for a CD project, so I'm looking for some new ideas/ solutions.
Here's the deal....
I'm recording a church choir (approx 100 choir members). I typically use 4 mics to give me coverage of all the parts. The choir is singing to tracks. It would be great if I could have 100 headphones, but that ain't gonna happen. So instead, I set up monitors facing to the choir (and to the back of the mics).
My question is; How can I minimize the bleed of the tracks? As I mentioned, I have done this numerous times in the past, but it was for click tracks for a live production which is less critical. This is for a CD project, so I'm more concerned about bleed and potential phase cancellation, etc.
I would like to hear from anyone who has done this sort of thing in the past and how you approach it.

Thanks...

ORIGINAL: DonM

Jay:

I do ths all the time - here's the ONLY thing that has ever worked for me - I have a friend that tweaked a low powered FM transmitter - like Houses for Sale have - and I tell folks to get a small portable walkman radio or the like for a return cue - then I can feed as many as I want.

-D

Cool idea! Thanx

.....out of phase.

This would be my suggestion as well, but instead of recording the music out-of-phase, I would suggested setting up one side of a two-monitor system out-of-phase. That is really the best way to do it, IMO.

Sid,

You are right. It can be done that way, but I normally wire my monitors out-of-phase. The result is the same though.

edit..... Sorry, I was editing my post when you posted your comments, so they will be different.

Sid,

I have used both and personally prefer going out-of-phase with the monitors rather than having to do so after the fact (i.e., tracking). I guess I have done it that way so long that it is something I do automatically.

A note for our original poster..... Regardless of the method you use..... as described by Sid and I..... you must make sure you are sending the same mono source material to each monitor side in order for this to work. Where you flip one side out-of-phase is up to you. Sending a stereo, 2-channel signal will not work.

Hope this helps.

ORIGINAL: chaz

.....out of phase.

This would be my suggestion as well, but instead of recording the music out-of-phase, I would suggested setting up one side of a two-monitor system out-of-phase. That is really the best way to do it, IMO.

What about the reverberation in the room? It won't be nulled, due to the delay and random reflections. A 100-person choir is going to be in a big room.

What about the reverberation in the room? It won't be nulled, due to the delay and random reflections. A 100-person choir is going to be in a big room.

Well, if you are pointing your mics in an upward position, then yes, you will have that problem. You will also have that problem if using omni-patterned mics.

fwiw..... I always use deca trees and/or individual mics set up so they are above the choir pointing downward toward them. Which row I point them at depends on the size of the choir and/or the number of rows they are in. I normally use small diaphragm condenser mics..... GT44's or MC012's.... to capture a more focused sound. This keeps everything in check.

Greg's suggestion is a good one as well. I have done that a few times myself.

Hope this helps.