About 6 months ago, I live recorded a 10 R&B band. They had 24 channels going. I had a m-audio Quattro 4 i/o computer usb audio interface. The main mix had 4 subs going. Vocals, drums, horns, rythm. I simply took sub outs from the board into
my Mackie 1402vlz mixer and then ran into my computer via the quatrro. No outboard comps (which I should of had).
This was my first ever attempt at live recording. I had distortion problems with the lead vocals and drums which I fixed with the trim on the Mackie. When all that was figured out, I got a awesome recording. The key is post production and the multiband compressor. I used
the multi comp to control the bass guitar which was mixed in with harp, keys and guitar and I eq'd and added sparkle to everything else. BTW, bleed was a gift in this recording, it gave everthing a real open sound. All my cymbals were caught by the 5 vocal mics, no overheads. I evened out the "odd" dry accoustics of the board with reverb during post production. Sparkle, compression, & reverb really make a diff.
I have this competing engenieer telling me I should go 8 or 16 tracks into a computer to get control of more varriables. I'm just not convinced. I got a damn good live recording with 4 and no ambient mics.
jack