liverecording and livemixing

  • Thread starter Thread starter einarla
  • Start date Start date
E

einarla

New member
I have a Pro Tools system to do my homerecording with, but are now ready to make live recordings, like gigs and so on. Does anyone know if there are some harddisk-recorders (like Roland VS2480) where you can split the input signal; one to main output(speakers (with EQ)) and one to the harddisk? The challenge is to avoid latency when using it as a live-mixer. Another smart thing with such a system would have been to do the soundcheck with it; the whole band (I play without a drummer) just play one tune, and then you can play back each channel, one by one, mixing it with full control. A alternative system should be f.ex. a Yamha 02R and a Fostex multitrack-recorder, connected with ADAT (anyone with experience?). My case is a acoustic band, up to 16 channels...

Link to my band: http://www.noside.com/Catalog/CatalogAlbum_01.asp?Action=GetOne&Album_ID=206
 
The best and most stable system for live recording is the Alesis HD24. IT has 24 I/O and works as simple as a tape player. You dont have to worry about PC crashes etc. You can then transfer the wave file over to you protools when you get home via the fireport.

I saved a live recording a few months back at a church. I got contracted to do the live sound and another company was hired to do the live recording. Well 5 mins before show time the recording company could not get the bugs and clock times worked out with external converters. I just happened to have my HD24 in my trailer and hooked it up in 5 mins and was recording with the push of a few buttons.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/246021/
 
the best way to do live recordings is to split the mic signals, and have a dedicated mixer for the live sound, and a dedicated mixer/mic preamps for the recording.
 
Well if your using a nice mixer you will be able to use the direct outs
 
einarla said:
A alternative system should be f.ex. a Yamha 02R and a Fostex multitrack-recorder, connected with ADAT (anyone with experience?). My case is a acoustic band, up to 16 channels...
Click to expand...

i use an ADAT, what do you need to know?
 
Seems like you could just setup a 16 channel mixer that has direct outs. Run the direct outs to your Recording device (adats, Hd 24, Daw, whatever works for you). This would allow you to use the faders etcs for mixing the live show. I suppose a mixer with a descent amount of Aux channels would be in order for monitor mixes as well.
Not really all that complicated but it is hard to say what will work Best for you.
 
deepwater said:
Well if your using a nice mixer you will be able to use the direct outs
Click to expand...


unfortunately, most mixers have post fader/post eq direct outputs. every eq change and ever fader movement done during the show will be represented on your live recording. I suppose this would be ok if you were only using the live recording for personal use. at this point, it's really only a glorified board mix.
 
Cave Dweller said:
unfortunately, most mixers have post fader/post eq direct outputs. every eq change and ever fader movement done during the show will be represented on your live recording. I suppose this would be ok if you were only using the live recording for personal use. at this point, it's really only a glorified board mix.
Click to expand...


Soundcraft offers mixers from the M-Series on up into the Series Two that have swithces to set the direct outs a pre or post EQ/fader. You can also use a digital mixer like a used Tascam DM24 with Adat outs in the HD24
 
I've done live recordings many times using the pre-fader, pre-eq direct outs on my Midas Venice 320 into an Alesis HD24.
I had to have the direct outs modified (by an authorized Midas dealer, in Blue Earth MN no less). They are still post insert, but that actually works ok as it lets me gate and compress some channels.

I then load the tracks to a PC and remix an apply effects using N-Tracks. The only drawback is that it doesn't really sound like a 'live' recording. there are no crowd sounds, no live ambience. They also are extremely unforgiving with the performance - ANY mistake is isolated and easily audible.
 
A couple of room mics will fix all that. :) Well, except the performance.
 
Actually, I'd always thought direct outs were usually post trim, pre EQ/fader. But I'm basing this assumption on only having used direct outs on a Mackie.
 
I dont know about Mackie. But Soundcraft has switches on each channel so you can select pre or post fader.
 
Well, if your not using them for anything else use the inserts on each channel to feed into the HDR. I've never done this but it's an idea let me know how this works for you.

Audio Monk
 
Audio Monk said:
Well, if your not using them for anything else use the inserts on each channel to feed into the HDR. I've never done this but it's an idea let me know how this works for you.

Audio Monk
Click to expand...

Note that in the above suggestion, what comes out of the PA will be a result of having passed through the HD24's converters first, which may not be as good as a straight analog mixer route. It'll work fine, but I'd be wondering about compromising the PA sound.
 
robin watson said:
Note that in the above suggestion, what comes out of the PA will be a result of having passed through the HD24's converters first, which may not be as good as a straight analog mixer route. It'll work fine, but I'd be wondering about compromising the PA sound.
Click to expand...

I think he means the old "push it in till the first click" trick, which gives a direct signal out without interrupting the flow in the console.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top