Recording Live Band w/Laptop Question.

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Greykitkat36

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I need serious help. I want to record SBD versions of my band's live shows, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. I have a Sony VAIO laptop with Audacity. I used to hook mics up in the audience into a 4 track and go into the laptopl..but that sounds like shit. I tried connecting my Powered mixer (the one that the band plays through) using a line out into my laptop's mic input. IT CLIPPED LIKE CRAZY. Even when I lowered the input volume it clipped really bad. i think I need a soundcard that can handle the power of my mixer, right? Please help.
 
SBD mix? SIlent but deadly?

in all seriousness. Yeah, you're putting a line level output (louder) into a mic level input (quieter) So it's way too much signal. I would say the first thing to do is get a sound-card that can handle line level inputs.

I'm suprised you didn't get good results with a few mics in the audience. Wouldn't suggest getting a feed from the PA console unless you get them as separated tracks...or you could just mic up a separate set of mics on everything just for the recordings, just as if you were in the studio (that's how a lot of live recordings that sound great are done to my knowledge.)
 
what kind of powered mixer are you using? does it have AUX sends or direct outs?

i use an Edirol FA-101 connected to the direct out of a mackie 1604 with the drums mixed through Aux3-4 into the last 2 channels of the FA-101.
 
if you are going to take any signal from a mixer it really has to be pre gain and pre eq. along with what has been said most sound engineers I have worked with cant mix to save their ass. I used to a long time ago ,take feeds off the board...total shit sound. sound guys could not eq, over compressed etc. plus they are "mixing" for what they believe to be the best sound in the room at the time.good sound for mixing later is totally different.i now use splitter snake and all my own mic's to be sure i get what i need. what really kills me with sound guys is they seem to feel it has to very loud to be good.that it has to be thumping to be good. in most cases it is WAY too loud for the environment,way too muddy with no punch. they must just mix to drunkin kids that only care about feeling it bump in their pants. i dont know, maybe i just had too much turkey.
 
I have a Behringer PMS880 I belive...it has a "rec out" and a L and R Main Output. I decided to ditch the laptop..I picked up a Boss BR1600...would it be ok to take the Powered Mixer output and patch it into my Boss BR1600's inputs?
 
Yes but that's only 2 channels. Does the mixer have direct outs or inserts that aren't being used? How many tracks will the BR1600 record at once?

FWIW I've had pretty good results recording our jams on a laptop with a firepod. 3 mics on the drums, 2 guitars, bass & 2 vocals. I mute the outputs on all tracks except the vocals, and send them through the CR Outs to a mixer for the monitors
 
The usual way that live performances are recorded (in the professional domain anyway) is to take a split of the microphone feed (i.e. before it reaches the PA desk) and have totally separate pre-amps or mixer for the recording setup.

The BR1600 can record 8 tracks simultaneously I believe. Your best bet is to take splits like above, but if this is not possible, the direct outs from the PA desk channels. If that's not possible rig your own set of mics as already suggested. And finally as a last resort, record the stereo output of the PA mixer.

The last method produces strange results usually. If you think about the job of the PA system, it is to create a decent balance within the venue. The backline will already be pretty loud before the PA and the drums probably don't need much amplification by the PA if it's a small venue. So really avoid this one if you can!
 
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