This lecture points out different possibilities to do professional live orchestra productions in Europe - from low cost sites like Minsk to world leading orchestras like the London Symphonic, with a closer look at 7 different orchestras, giving details on recording rooms, strengths and weaknesses of the ensemble and a comparison of price.

The session will have listening examples of virtual orchestra vs. live orchestra productions, showing the benefit but also the restraints of a live ensemble production. It explains different ways of production and "smart recording" approaches for maximum efficiency. Testimonials from known US composers point out positive and negative aspects of their experience with an orchestra production in Europe. This is a "no nonsense" talk about how to get the maximum out of your budget, naming all possibilities to optimize processes and giving an exact overview on things that can go wrong, did go wrong and will go wrong.