Recording live show... advice?

[enektyk]

Hi all. I'm going to be recording a live show for the first time with the MicroBR.

Have you got any advice as to where to position myself in the room? It's not a big place and it will be a loud show.

I have the choice of using the built-in mic, an AKG C1000 S or an AKG C3000 B.

I've never recorded anything live so any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!


AKG C1000 S
http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,759,pid,759,nodeid,2,_language,EN.html

AKG C3000 B
http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,220,pid,220,nodeid,2,_language,EN.html

[Greeny]

If you have the option of taking a 'line in' from a central mixing desk, that's the cleanest, most effective way to go. If not, you'll need to play around with levels (and distances) to make sure the drums etc don't overpower everything. I know a few people on here have recorded live gigs / jams, so I hope there are some more practical tips for you. I've only gone down the mixing desk route.

Oh... and make sure you have a big enough card in the MBR to fit everything on.

Good luck.

[OsCKilO]

The SD Card tip is a winner....!

I use the card that came with the MBR... Just Initialize it before you start..



If you want it clean, go through the Mixing desk....



If you want to use the onboard mic, Leave the sesitivity on the preset.....


Using Phantom/Plug in Power drains your bateries on the BR in about 30 minutes, so it might be worth using an adapter if you can...

I have found that the Best way to test the levels before you record is to clap real loud next to the unit if you are using a mic.....

Also, if you are using a Mic, be prepared to have a lot of backgound noise on the recording (People moving about etc...).... But I think it adds character!


Also, if you are using the Onboard mic, be sure to use the MBR's felt cover, to put under the unit.... If it is on a table it may vibrate if you are playing something with a lot of bass....


As for where to put the mic.... Depends on the venue... Where I play (A Very small venue) It can go anywhere as long as the level's are right on the unit...



Don't let  the fact you are recording it distract you either....LOL


Good luck...






 

[89strat]

If the whole band is going through the board and you've got a good mix, that's the best. But when you say "not a big place" and "loud show", I'm guessing your guitars and bass aren't going through the board.

Using advice from this forum, I've used the on-board mic w/ the Only Lmt effect, input level at 85 and Sns between -10 and -15 (depending on band volume and the room) to record practices and shows with pretty good results. It's best to play with Sns levels during a practice before the show to get a rough idea of what range you need for your group. As far as positioning, your ears will tell you where the best sound is. I recorded one show with my MBR attached with gaffers tape to the end of the bar nearest the band! Good luck.

[Greeny]

Also, if you are using a Mic, be prepared to have a lot of backgound noise on the recording (People moving about etc...).... But I think it adds character!

This is where we need a way of synching TWO micros... one for the mixing desk recording, and one for the ambience. I forgot that recording through the mixing desk makes it sound like nobody is there to see you or applauding, lol

[enektyk]

Thanks for the quick response everyone! I appreciate the advice. I'm going to investigate and see whether I'll have the option of a line out. I would like to have the audience, but it depends on how different the quality will be. The show is on the 10th, so I'll report back soon.

Also, if I do use a mic, should I use the on-board the AKG C1000 S or the AKG C3000 B? There's links for them at the top.

[Sprocket]

Ive recorded many live shows with the MBR, alot of it with the Sony mic, it records in stereo...I tend to set it on a table in the front row, Ive got no significant crowd noise or even noise from passers by, OR even drinks being set on the table. Id tried in the back of the room or hall, but it gets too muddy back there.
Ive also tried coming out of the mixers headphone out...sometimes this is stereo and sometimes its not even panned when it is in stereo, like a totem pole of sound.
If its only 2 or 3 instruments on the mixer, itll be better...but most every board recording Ive got on the MBR has been vocal heavy...I may still need to work out kinks,but these are my observations so far.
If you are going to play the same venue repeatedly, and you goto master your first show, save the mastering effects, youll probably use it again and again.
Using the Sony mic, I chose the "LIN" setting and never need to make any adjustments to the sensitivity...you just have to remember to turn the plugin power on. hehe

 

[enektyk]

So I spoke with someone who has recorded at this venue before and they suggested the C 1000, preferably with a mix from the board. I'm going to run the C 1000 through the 1/4inch input. Would it be possible to record a line out from the board through the "Line in/mic" input while recording the 1/4 input at the same time? I could get an adapter so it would fit.

I also have a 16 GB SD card so I'll be set on that front.

[Sprocket]

Youve got a multiple problems already.

So I spoke with someone who has recorded at this venue before and they suggested the C 1000, preferably with a mix from the board. I'm going to run the C 1000 through the 1/4inch input. Would it be possible to record a line out from the board through the "Line in/mic" input while recording the 1/4 input at the same time? I could get an adapter so it would fit.

I also have a 16 GB SD card so I'll be set on that front.

You wont be able to use your mic AND record from the board at the same time.
You could go mono out of the board via 1/4 and use the onboard mic at the same time.
If you want stereo, with your options, Id suggest using a 1/8" stereo cable with a stereo 1/4" adapter from the headphone out of the board.

And a 16 gig card isnt going to be recognized...only 1 gig, but it will recognize a 2 gig card, yet only using 1 gig of space.

[enektyk]

So the show went well. The recording sounds pretty good and I'm impressed at the range it captured.

My problem now is I'm trying to export the songs in mastering mode, but because it's making a stereo mix with sound only on the left channel. How can I export a song so the one track with be on both the left and right channels?