Topic: soundboard recordings

[dmonterisi]

An Assisted Listening Device is a receiver that picks up a broadcast of the soundboard feed at a show.  It is meant for those who are hearing impaired.

all i was saying is that i don't really feel right about taking advantage of technology that is implemented so that people with a hearing disability can enjoy the show.  i also would not buy diabled seating tickets to get into a sold out show.

[jpschust]

i think you've hit it on the head.  

[porphyry]

thanks, i was getting really curious cos it seemed like such a taboo.

how does it work?

[jpschust]

basically there are a narrow band of fq's on which its broadcast, just scan the fq's till you find the right one on which its broadcast.  

[porphyry]

so can you just plug the thing into your DAT or MD recorder, press record and 'bob's your uncle?!' or is it more complicated than that? does the machine have to be really close to the soundboard?

does it affect the quality of the recording?

[jpschust]

the quality is notoriously bad, virtually no low end, and as longas you are in the theatre it shouldnt matter

[jpschust]

let me add to my explenation that i consider those who use these for taping purposes to pretty much be morally bakrupt.

[porphyry]

thanks for all the info.  

i don't quite get the morally bankrupt argument tho. these things are sold privately to anyone who wants one, not just someone with a prescription, right? if you're not actually disadvantaging a hearing impaired person in any way (and i don't see how it could possibly disadvantage a hearing impaired person) then whats the problem? what is so wrong with people using technology that was developed to meet one need, for another (obviously far less important!) need?

[jpschust]

yes they are sold to anyone, but you are taking something that isn't meant to record with. to me, personally, this is the same thing as a millionare taking social securty.  Did they pay in?  yes.  was it meant for their situation?  obviously not.

[dmonterisi]

props to Alex Herd for his highjacking of the thread!

c'mon moke, thread hijacking is a team effort!

[jpschust]

fyi- check your riders with the venue... a lot of times venues have rights to record off their board for bands that play in their venue.  it's really common.  

[porphyry]

to me, personally, this is the same thing as a millionare taking social securty

maybe, i dunno... whereas the millionaire has no use for social security, someone with perfect hearing using one of the Assisted Listening Devices would actually be using the device... this is not to say that they need it, but they are not taking something that is not intended for them AND that is of no use to them...

it seems that this technology has potential uses other than aiding the hearing impaired. if some company took the same technology, altered it slightly and used it in a product designed, produced and marketed with the express purpose of tuning into certain audio information being broadcast by machines such as soundboards, then would it be morally wrong to use the product?

anyway this is starting to sound like a philosophy message board.

how do i solve the problem of being fed up with recording gigs with microphones because of all the hassle involved - i want soundboard recordings.

take a specific example - when i go to see queens of the stone age in melbourne in january, i want a soundboard recording. how will i get it? should i try to just patch in off the board when no-one's looking then hide my gear and pray no-one notices it? should i ask one of the engineers nicely? should i offer him a small bribe? should i somehow magically find out who the engineers are before the show and become their best friend?

does anyone have a solution that works?

[Brian Skalinder]

how do i solve the problem of being fed up with recording gigs with microphones because of all the hassle involved

That's easy:  stop taping.

[porphyry]

That's easy:  stop taping.

thats very helpful.

doesn't actually answer the whole question, tho...

[zhianosatch]

Porphyry, I'm disappointed. Skalinder and Moke are right.