Recording a concert band - cheapest?

[SarekOfVulcan]

I play in the Brewer Hometown Band in Maine. Last month, I plugged in my el-cheapo desktop mic to my laptop, put it at the back of the gym, and recorded the concert. It came out ok (twango.com/channel/SarekOfVulcan.BHBSpring2008), but I'm wondering what the next step up would be. I'm hoping not to spend so much I feel compelled to charge an arm and a leg for copies: I usually don't have the extra money to throw around myself, so I'd like to be able to continue giving them out for only a couple of bucks.

I'm also thinking about maybe investing in one of those inexpensive still cameras that take HD video, and distributing DVDs. I assume that the same kind of mic would apply here as to the laptop, right?

Thanks!

 

[ermghoti]

To get a noticeable improvement is going to require: A pair (or one stereo) mics, a decent excuse for a mobile preamp, and/or an interface, all of which will probably cost more than you'd like, say, $4-500 as an absolute floor, assuming you have a laptop already. If you feel your current results are not terrible, keep doing it, or wait until you're prepared to spend something a bit over $1k, where you can get some pretty decent stuff.

 

[SarekOfVulcan]

Ok, thanks for the information. I think I do want to plan on going in that direction when I can afford the outlay: I'm sure other local groups would also be interested in a simple-but-decent recording setup.

 

[mshilarious]

Videocameras normally use stereo mics that use "plug-in" power. This is different from the mono mic input a PC uses. Try taperssection.com, they are more familiar with stereo plug-in mics than most users here.

 

[zbert]

My wife plays in a concert band. Each concert on of the members husband comes in and uses two cheap radioshacks mics and plugs them into a cassette recorder. My wife give me the tape and I transfer it to CD for everyone. The quality is not too bad. I don't have time to post a mp3 right now. But what I was going to suggest (and I just checked and it's sold out) was the Yamaha MW8CX 8-Channel USB Mixer with Compression and FX that was on Musicians Friend stupid deal of the day for $139. Add a couple niant mics and your good to go to your laptop under $200