I recently auditioned several preliminary DAT masters taken from the mixing board of Delos recording sessions. These featured the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with Andrew Litton. The coughs, sneezes and other unwanted noises you mention in your posting were indeed present, along with the music. To avoid this occurring on the final release, cough drops are issued at the door, along with posted requests for patrons to turn off all electronics, including Palm Pilot alarms, beeping watches, pagers and cell phones. Then just before the concert, there is a polite but pointed announcement made reminding everyone that a master recording is being made of the performance. The audience is requested not to spindle or drop papers, jewelry, pocket change or keys, and if possible, avoid unnecessary movement until a break in the performance. After all these precautions are taken, flaws are repaired or diminished digitally in post production. The final result is that people such as yourself, may enjoy the music with fewer interruptions than if you had attended in person. These annoyances present in a final release are controlled to a great extent by the conductor, the producer and the engineer involved. Fortunately, there are artists that share your frustration and seek the same level of perfection you desire. It is accomplished by first gaining the respect and cooperation of the listening audience and then when required, using technology to produce a release that is as close to perfection as a live audience recording will permit.
