Doin' it LIVE!

[sideman1]

I have just been hired to track a live concert, and I have come across an interesting problem. Where is the best place to put crowd mics? There will be a crowd of 500-600 people, so I wanted to be sure and get as much 'crowd' as possible with the least amount of stage noise. Also, I thought about setting up four '58s. Should I use something a little more directional?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[PowerCouple]

A condenser pair should do the trick, probably better than the 4 58's...

My opinion (may not help at all...)... Why do you want to specifically set a "crowd" mic? If the crowd goes wild and roars with the songs, then it will leak into your stage mics, if not, you don't want to have people talking at loud levels in your recording (and it usually happens)...

Peace...

PC

 

[Roker1]

i would recommend putting the crowd mics on the light's rails on the ceiling (if they've got them...they should have)...I've done this before with a couple of EV dynamic mics which I gaffer-taped to the rails, but didn't pick up a whole lot of the crowd sound (we won't call it noise )...so..you beter off using two condensors and setting them above the center point in the crowd (apart a few meters or depending on how wide the crowd is)...
make sure they're high enough, so the spectators don't rip 'em off
...try not to face the mics towards any of the speakers
good luck
let us know how you go

 

[sideman1]

Did it LIVE!

I took your advice. I placed 2 condensers at the front of the auditorium, as far away from the speakers as possible. Since I had them, I went ahead and placed 2 58's about midway.

It went great! I am in the middle of mixing, and the crowd sounds great!

Thank you for your help!

 

[Roker1]

bingo..glad to hear that...can you post an MP3 once you've finished???
I'd like to hear it..
thanks
cheers