Recording LIVE music- equipment/techniques HELP!

  • Thread starter Thread starter coomar
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coomar

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I'm a newbie. Please kill me with knowledge!

Generally speaking, I'm interested in recording bands that are performing in bars / warehouses / coffee shops.

The key here in capturing quality and limiting ambient noise. I guess I'm looking for high-quality BOOTLEG recording techniques (portbility/ease of use / as little physical "presence" (mics/wires/etc.) as possible). I, however, will NOT be bootlegging these recordings...but working with the local musicans directly.

What are folks' experiences with digital / analog set-ups for live recordings? (Please keep in mind that my end goal is to get the music on CD and web-based audio formats.)

I'm also interestd in strategies for mic placement/set-up scenairos that work best for guitar/vocals and drum&bass/jazz bands in small settings. Specifics on equipment/price range/ease of use would be helpful!

And if someone would be willing to drop a few minutes to detail ALL equipment I'd need, I'd sure appreciate suggestions on any of the following:

Recording Equipment: Right now I'm leaning toward the TASCAM Pocketstuido 5 four-track/MP3 Encoder/player.
Mics: Directional? Those big fuzzy mics that the news media uses?
Mixer:
Software:
Other stuff I don't know that I need:

Many THANKS in advance,
--Mark
 
Hmmm. At what level of quality are you shooting for? How much cash do you want to spend?
 
Reply to TrackRat

I'm interested in maintaining a documentary-style feel for the live recordings, (do want a bit of ambient noise/ applause / audience noise) but at the same time maintain as much quality/clarity to vocals/instruments.

Price range in sub-$1000, but I'm flexible. I am computer-literate.

Thanks in advance!
--Mark
 
This is just what I'd do, YMMV. I'd use a DAT machine with something like a DBX386 (a two channel mic pre with a digital output) and a pair of small diaphram condensor mics (Octava MC-012, Earthworks, etc). Set it up out front to capture what's coming off the stage and what the audience is hearing. You end up with a high quality recording at 16/44.1 thta you can send into a DAW for any kind of editing. You could get the pre and DAT into a 4U rack which should be very portable.
 
I rekon a Akia DPS 16 would be ideal.
U have 8 inputs, altough some one has told me that u can get 10 into it.
Which gives u the capability to place mic's in stratigic places so u can do a decent final mix down of each individual track etc.
Plus all u do is hook a CD burner to the DPS 16 then u can burn the material u have recorded to ur hearts content.
U will have to include Mic's in the cost as well! U get what u pay for when it comes to mic generally!
Hope that helps
craze :D
 
Great!

Thanks the suggestions. I'm still compiling info. but am leaning toward one of two scenarios, DAT or miniDisc.

Could I stretch your patience just a tad more and ask for feedback for in the following areas:


DAT / MiniDisc:
1) RECORDING UNIT: high-quality / unit sub-$400 (must have digital out obviously). I'd like to have at least two tracks capability. How many mics in? Do either have built in mics? I'm also interested in reliability of units based on user's experience over time.

2) COMPUTER: Connecting my computer (currently PII, 266 mhz, 256 RAM, plenty of GB of HD space- but am planning to upgrade) to the DAT. HOW??? Thru the sound card? Which cards would you recommend?

3) SOFTWARE: Once the DAT data is downloaded to my PC, what are good options (shareware/freeware/retail?! ACK!) for mixing/EQing the original data?

4) MICS: I'd prefer to be completely portable- no AC power connection. I want to keep cabling to a min. Was thinking two stereo mics or a good single left/right mic (Sharp MD-MJ877). Suggestions?

Thanks for taking any time to address any of my NEWBIE-maniacal questions.

--Mark
 
I have a DAT and a mini disc but if you want max quality I'd go with the DAT. Mini disc is a lossy data storage system meaning it throws away a lot of data. It still sounds pretty good but not as good as a DAT. As far as connecting it to a computer, you'd want a sound card that has a S/PDIF input/output on it so you could make digital transfers rather than an analog one. Much mo betta.
 
Why not this?

Why dont you buy directly a CD-R Recorder instead of a Mini-Disc or a DAT?
Advantage : Record direct to a CD, No Compression, CD-R are cheaper than a DAT, No friction between the medium and the machine and you can directly import your takes into your DAW without grade of degeneration.

I saw a CD-Recorder at this place (with a really quick search)

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cellularconnection/80003.html

OK, this one is not balanced, but, if your mixer is near of your CD-R, it will not have a difference.

Me, I've worked with a TASCAM CDR-RW2000 and I never add a pbm with that recorder.

This with a nice small mixer and a good hearphone, It will be great. If you can hook directly to the direct out of the mixer who do the sound for the club, it will be better for you.

It is easier to add some applause instead of removing the noise generate by the drunk guy on the left of the stage picked-up by a room mic... yes, it happened!

Good luck

Pierre
Montreal, Canada
 
DAT Now...

Thanks for the replies folks. I DO appreciate it!

OK- I've decided to go DAT. Questions remaining:

1) Which DAT unit? (again- desired end result is CD)

2) Which digital sound card? (I have a P2 266 mhz 256 RAM, Win98 machine)

3) Which desktop software for mixing/EQing?

Thanks!!
Mark...
 
The setup I use most often, is to tape 2 PZMs to the wall, run them through a preamp and compressor, then go straight into the recorder. The PZMs have the advantage of being unobtrusive, and won't get knocked over or spoil the view. Here's an example recorded at one of our gigs:



The gear used:

2 x Crown PZM-30s
Presonus MP-20 pre-amp
Presonus ACP-22 compressor
Tascam CD-RW4U CD Writer (I used to use a DAT but the CD blanks are much cheaper than DAT tapes, and the DAT recorder is much more fragile than the CD burner)

Good Luck -

- Wil
 
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