Topic: Critical listening opportunity

[ButchAlmberg]

I recorded the UM/WSP Jones Beach show on 6/20 and I have to admit.. I think its my best effort so far (not saying much). I was hoping I might solicit some feedback from anyone interested in taking a listen. As I've expressed in other posts, I'm on a learning curve. I think I may be at the point where I can dabble in some post processing and possibly archive the files. If you're interested...

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s12rtlzfmes5gdu/AACDfv1bcnOcTvS2s0JPhwfha?dl=0

and

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d9ftzobffskvk4u/AACcepuEw2Mp1FkQ8C_qaeNQa?dl=0

Thanks!

[rocksuitcase]

I'm downloading the Panic now. I've been on a Panic Jag lately, saw and recorded 6-17 in Boston.
I'll give you my opinion, but it may take me a day or two to properly listen. 
BTW- if the download is only a wav file as it suggests, how about throwing the source info in this thread?

[ButchAlmberg]

Absolutely. I was in NY for my sons HS graduation (earlier that day) so I was traveling light.

Line Audio CM-3 > Tascam DR-70D (v 1.10) > p48 24/48

And if you don't mind I'll hold off on describing my location so as to promote objectivity. I look forward to your feedback.

[rocksuitcase]

I've listened to the first set. Very nice overall; comparable (a bit more present) to my 460 DIN A from next to the SBD in Boston (~120 feet from stage). It could be my earbuds, but I hear some distortion occasionally during the heavy peaks.
Bass tonality is nice, keyboards are well in your mix, and the vocals are very nice.
The only other thing I can add for now is that the levels are very low. You should do some post processing even if it is just to bring up levels and do fades. I use wavelab, but Audacity is the number one choice around here.

[ButchAlmberg]

Thank you so much for your critique. Ok.. the weather was REAL iffy that night so I made the decision to record towards the back of the venue (15,000 seats?) as there was an overhang for the level above. Again, I was traveling light and didn't have an umbrella. The acoustics weren't the greatest, but we were protected from the wind and potential rain (which never came). There was another taper set up at the sbd and I listened to his processed recordings and without sounding biased... I kinda like mine better. Like I said, I was real pleased considering the conditions.

Time for a crash course in post processing and hopefully these will be my first shows to make it to archive.

Thanks again!

[rocksuitcase]

First: I've been to Jones Beach many times, I know the exact location you were at! 
I'm listening on my DAW monitors (AudioEngine A2's) to the second set. It definitely sounds "fuller" but more audience is apparent (not at all bad especially for Jones Beach) I couldn't hear the wind through my earbuds (CHEAP Sonys) but do hear a slight comb filtering, again, not objectionable. Much more present than my Boston, which has some "distant" character. I don't hear any distortion.

I love Panic's version of Red Hot Mama. In this loud jam, I hear- great bass, excellent drums, VG keys, but the guitars are not as up front, and the vocals seem "squashed?" (Would you say so? like what do you hear vocal wise? It could be my speakers, etc) there IS a nice wind is flowing during this tune.

I'm going to do one more tune "play by play" for you: went back to Stop Breaking Down- better vocals, drums very tight, bass excellent. The guitars are better, but JB is still down in this mix, for me.

Overall, for your location and venue conditions, you did a great job and this recording is well worth sharing, although Panic isn't on the LMA. You can seed it to etree.

[ButchAlmberg]

I think you nailed it. If you close your eyes you can probably see the seagulls flying overhead and pooping on the unknowing crowd in front of the stage. I heard folks saying that the place was barely at half capacity, mostly because of the crappy weather. That gave me a lot more options from a taping perspective, hence the overhang decision. We had three rows all to ourselves.

Thanks again for taking the time to listen and offering some feed back. Definitely a confidence booster.

Anyone else interested in offering a critical ear?

[rocksuitcase]

I'm hoping someone else takes the opportunity to listen. Your OP was worded such that I thought I would help a brother out, it can be difficult starting this hobby, but getting some input on what you are doing is nice. I appreciate all the folks on this board who willingly help us out and share their experiences. Not to mention the equipment designers and sellers, without those guys we would have less gear choices!

I really wanted to hear another WP show from this tour so you were also good timing for my Panic listening jones!  Jimmy Herring rocks!

[wharfratjoe]

I am out in California and have no idea what the venue looks like, etc. I am listening to the UM set right now with my morning coffee and I feel like I am there with the occasssional "whoo hoo's'

WSP set is queued up

Great job, share it!

[ButchAlmberg]

Thanks, Joe. A definite confidence booster.

[ButchAlmberg]

So I have both Audacity and Sound Forge Pro on my Mac. I haven't used either one yet but need to start somewhere. Anyone care to push me towards one vs. the other? All suggestions welcome.

[wharfratjoe]

I say go for sound forge pro. I use audition cs6 on windows so sound forge probably has similarities.

If you don't like it then try audacity.

[rocksuitcase]

Butch, I don't use either which is why I didn't reply. I also don't use a MAC, but Sound Forge seems to be the program most MAC users prefer. good luck.

[hi and lo]

I'd love to listen and provide feedback, but not enough to download nearly 3GB worth of wav files.  It would be quite beneficial to provide smaller samples. A song or two, maybe a ten minute passage, would be perfectly fine. Even better if you encode it to FLAC to reduce the file size.