Recording In a Field (not exactly field recording though!) help!

[DoronD]

Hello,

I am a student at UC Santa Cruz, California. In case you weren't aware, we have an incredibly vast, gorgeous campus, with tons of wide open fields. Today, as I was sitting in one of the fields for class, the idea dawned on me to make an album's worth of songs in one sitting, one day, in the middle of the field. Here's my equipment-

-Boss BR-864 8 Track Digital Recorder (Runs on Batteries)

-Novation X-Station Synth/Controller (Runs off batteries as well I believe. Also has phantom power option.)

-Art Studio V3 Tube MP Amp, that has phantom power for my condenser mic, but I don't think it runs on batteries.

-Marshall Condenser Mic (I don't know specifics, it was around $100 though and is pretty good sounding.)

-Shure SM57 Mic.

-Miniature Electric Guitar Amp

-Acoustic Guitars, Kazoos, Harmonicas, Egg Shakers, Tambourines!

My plan is one morning to go to campus at 8 am, and work from 8 till 8 writing songs for an album. Sound quality isn't a HUGE concern, as I don't mind one bit if it sounds lo-fi and hissy- if anything that gives it a personable quality I really really like.

I guess my question is- can anyone offer any tips/advice on the whole idea behind this field recording? Should I use my Condenser, or will that be too sensitive? Will batteries last long enough to get the job done? Is the whole idea stark raving mad, and does it have several holes that I'm overlooking? Any advice, comments, input, insults welcome I'm just looking to get any advice I can about this ahead of time.

Thanks a TON in advance for any help whatsoever.

-Doron

 

[shiatzu]

you'd probably get better results with a dynamic mic.. the $100 marshall mic is probably a MXL990 or something close and they seem to pick up a *lot* of background. go with the 57.

you had might want to record under a tree or something, just to keep the mic out of the direct path of the wind.

 

[JasonB93117]

I go to UCSC as well and my only advice would be to record at night. I don't know if you have been to "tree nine" before, but it is near SILENT at night, anytime past 10.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Unless you have an electrical outlet somewhere nearby, or a power inverter that you can plug into a nearby car cigarette lighter, you won't have AC power for the Tube MP. This means you won't have a phantom power source for any mics that may require it.

I also would recommend bringing plenty of batteries with you, just in case. The last thing you'll need is to be just hitting a great groove around 3pm only to find the "Low Batt" light on your recorder flashing away.

The good news is you won't have any room acoustics to be concerned with. The bad news is that you won't have any room acoustics at all . The outdoors is one big anechoic chamber; as such you'll have zero reverb, delay, etc. to give you sounds any depth or character. While this may sound like a good "natural" thing (and in the right place and time it can be), the total lack of anything when recording outdoors on every track in the recording can not only sound kinds flat, but it can tend to take some of the low freqs out of the sound (nothing like the big outdoors to suck up the bass ). You can always adjust for this back at the studio if you like. I'm just saying that if the recording sound a little on the thin side, don't be too taken aback; this can come with the territory.

G.

 

[DoronD]

Fellow Banana Slug

Nice to know someone else at UCSC has had the same insane idea I have. I feel more normal I know where tree nine is, but lugging all my equipment there seems a drag, especially at night. I'm thinking the porter meadows. It's really nice there lately. Any other tips, stories, experiences? I guess I'll bring my Shure SM57.

Whats your name by the way?

 

[JasonB93117]

My name's Jason Barbaria, I'm in the Porter dorms. This is my first year here and I love it. I've recorded 2 albums for fellow students and am working on the third, although I don't know how we're going to finish it in time. Some of the recording I did in my room, but I also used the college 9 lounge, porter art studio, and porter apartments.

Feel free to drop by if you're in the area, Building A, 464. My number here is (831)502-3572 if you want to give me a ring. I'm taking off on thursday for summer, ciao.

 

[mattamatta]

You wouldn't happen to have a brother at Cal Poly, would ya Jason?

 

[Dani Pace]

I've recorded outside on several occasions. Wind, even a slight breeze can be a real problem, foam wind screens help but will cut some of your highs. Take a bunch of plastic sheeting along, just in case a stray cloud decides it is going to rain on your project.
One thing you can count on is that a plane will fly over just as you are getting to a critical part.
Avoid gas powered generators, they are noisy and the power supply fluctuates.
Keep the mood light and airy but don't party untill you are finished recording.
So much for my suggestions. Have fun and let us know how it turns out.

 

[foreverain4]

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=5805


this should solve your power problems....

 

[wells]

Decibel, idle up (calculated 7 yards from unit): 76 dBA

 

[foreverain4]

Decibel, idle up (calculated 7 yards from unit): 76 dBA

yeah, you might need some extension cords........

 

[JasonB93117]

I have a twin brother in santa barbara named anthony, but no brothers at cal poly, just friends.