Live recording---mic's??gear???

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Greetings audio freaks---

I come to you in need of advice. I'm more of a home recording fella and don't really know anything about live/field recording. Here's my situation: I've been asked to record my sister's wedding ceremony--the specs: It's gonna be outside w.no PA

What I was thinking: I'd set up a left and a right mic, record it--then clean it up and mix later on.

How do i go about getting a decent recording? What do i need?

Do i need a board? What sort of recording unit should I get? Any advice on mic's? They'll be likely roundabouts 15 feet from the source---i want to minimize ambient sounds. I don't own any shotgun condensers but was thinking they'd be best for the job. I've got a more or less open budget to rent gear---I just need some advice on what I should rent.

Thanks to one and all!


M.W in NYC

ps--the wedding is in ft lauderdale Florida if anyone knows a good place for rentals down there!

 

[Chibi Nappa]

Do you mean you are just recording general conversations and stuff for the video, or are you trying to capture some sort of wedding band?

edit: Oh, you mean the actual ceremony with the priest and all, right? Hmmmm.... I don't think you need more than two mics, and it shouldn't need any mixing afterwards. Will this be accompanying digital video?

 

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more details

hey--thanks for the reply--

they're not having any video at the wedding, so the audio will be the only archive...

I'm just looking to get a nice clean recording of the dialogue, y'know--all the i do's and the speeches later on.

I have Pro Tools at home so i thought i'd go for a L/R stereo recording, then get rid of any ambient noise afterwards. I can't have the mic's right up on the speakers though....they need to be a little bit out of the way. So yeah, just a 2 mic job. I wasn't sure what kind to get though.

Also---what else do i need here? I'm thinking some sort of power source if i go condenser mic and a recording unit. A mixer to I suppose, but like I said---I've never done this kind of "field" recording type thing so any pointers on mic, recorders or the rest would definitely be appreciated....

thanks!

 

[Light]

Distant micing outdoors is NOT going to work, unless you have access to shotgun mics. All you are going to hear is wind. Your best bet would probably be to rent some wireless laviliers with windscreens. These can usually be had for not too much money, particularly in NYC.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

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wireless vs shotgun

well,

i'm kind of hesistant to strap on mic's---i think the general idea was to have a non-obtrusive way of documenting the wedding. So people won't feel like they're being recorded---that is a good point about the wind though. Would shotguns be able to do the job? If so is there a brand you'd recommend?

Thanks!!

 

[Light]

Re: wireless vs shotgun

Would shotguns be able to do the job? If so is there a brand you'd recommend?

Thanks!!

Maybe, if you have the wind screens on them. They also will NOT pick up anything which is at all off access, so you would really need to have someone aiming it at the person speaking, moving between speakers. I have had good results with the Sennhieser, but I have not tried any of the others. They would be considerable more obtrusive (from my experience) than lavs. Get lavs, put fresh batteries in them, and put them on hot at least a half hour ahead, so they can get used to having them on. You do not start recording until the ceremony starts.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

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thanks light...

i guess i'll have to ask the bride and groom how they 'bout lavs and take it from there!

M