Topic: Do tapers have fun at shows

[Wiggle]

I stopped being the "front row guy" a few years ago. The TS was the next logical step for me.

Swap 'guy' with 'gal' and that was me a few years ago too. I find music sounds so much better just about anywhere but the front row. Not to mention that part of me gets off on watching the crowd get into the show too. The further back I am (within reason) to take it ALL in the better.

[JoeKiller]

I stopped being the "front row guy" a few years ago. The TS was the next logical step for me.

Swap 'guy' with 'gal' and that was me a few years ago too. I find music sounds so much better just about anywhere but the front row. Not to mention that part of me gets off on watching the crowd get into the show too. The further back I am (within reason) to take it ALL in the better.

True that.  Some of the most fun I have is watching all the people doing crazy stuff and having fun.  Also, I figure I'm a bit too much of a booze hound to go all the way up front.  I'll have to pee eventually (no nalgene)  Generally the only problem I have is when the show is over and I'm picking up a chick, I gotta be like, lemme run this shit outside and sometimes I miss her, or if my friends are like, lets go hang with the band, sometimes I miss that transition but its totally 100% worth it. 

[tapeheadtoo]

I love everything about live music, and think that taping would be a good thing thing for me to do, but don't want to sacrifice some things I enjoy about shows dancing,drinking,"other things",being social, and I like to be up close to the stage (I realise that's pretty obvious, won't be able to do that), but do you have to kinda be by your equipment all night? 

For the band I tape the most, and for certain other artists, I am a fan first... meaning I would rather be up front.  I have taped from the front row a handful of times...  It is certainly doable and depending on whether the taping gods are watching over you it IS possible to get a decent tape.

One pull I have fond memories of was a Yes symphonic show back in 2001 in Interlochen, MI.  I ran my Sonics and MZR70 MD completely stealth (no visible wires, no touching deck from beginning to end) from the front row.  I was directly in front of the PA for the orchestra.  The recording sucked... 80% orchestra, 20% band, in mono...  but I had a great time and it was the only tape to ever surface from that show.   (Plus, having had experience playing in an orchestra, it was real interesting to hear exactly what was going on back there, as it was usually drowned out by the band.)

[Aaron41]

I've been wondering this the last couple shows I've been hitting. Yes I have fun at the shows but taping can definitely put some strain on the evening. I will say though that I find it hard NOT to tape. I'd imagine I'd feel worse not having taped an event than taping it and not enjoying it as much in person.

[wbrisette]

I think it all depends on what you call fun. I walk away from my gear, but only if I know it's in a secure area or that the crowd isn't going to mess with it. But, I have fun at shows too, but for me that's sans any extras other than some beer or wine (or the ocassional vodka & tonic). But I'm a music geek, I love music and love recording. I'm not much into the whole dance thing, or being a "front row joe", so hanging back a bit is just fine with me... and really for me that's all part of the fun.

Wayne

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Sorry if this had been posted I couldn't find it, if anyone knows of a link just post it

So I'm thinking about getting started in taperdom, I have a good hook up for the gear to get started and I'm looking into it and researching.  One main thing that I need to know is how is taping a show different from just attending a show.  I love everything about live music, and think that taping would be a good thing thing for me to do, but don't want to sacrifice some things I enjoy about shows dancing,drinking,"other things",being social, and I like to be up close to the stage (I realise that's pretty obvious, won't be able to do that), but do you have to kinda be by your equipment all night?  Not that I need these things to enjoy a show.  So, what I'm looking for is all of your oppinions on this matter, I hope you understand what I'm trying to ask:  How is the experience different when taping? 

I hope to learn from your experiences
Thanks
Ben

The biggest difference between taping and not-taping is your mobility.  At least for me, I don't feel comfortable leaving my gear out and like to be where I can watch it.

I stopped dancing and partying a long time ago and became a chill-in-the-back guy, so taping was natural.  If you still want to go crazy, I don't think taping will be fun for you, you might even find it boring.

However, that's not saying you can't become a patcher...  That might be the way to go...

Terry

[Sanjay]

If it wasn't fun I wouldn't tape.  Taping for me is solely a way for me to preserve and have a copy of the concert I went to, its not a contest, its not a race, and its not a job.  As soon as it stops being fun for me i'll quit since I want to have fun at the concerts I go to.  There are several tapers who I know who think of taping as a Race, they sit, have no fun, are really pissy at other people for coming within 10 feet of their stand, and at the end of the night have the tape converted before I pull into my driveway.  I've even seen one taper set up and go back to his car and go to sleep for the majority of the show, coming back later to get his stuff.  These people probably don't have any fun at concerts, but its what they want out of it.

Its all what you make of it, as long as you tell yourself that your enjoyment of the concert comes first you will leave happy and probably still with a copy of the show. 

[Kevin Straker]

Keeping the dumbasses off your stand is the only real headache. Otherwise, I still dance around, drink beer and partake of the occassional.....whatever. We have a pretty good group of tapers in the SE and it's fun to get out and hang with friends that share a common interest.

[mmmatt]

I have a great time at concerts I tape!  I feel strange if I'm at a show and I'm not taping.  When I first started taping I had a girl who loved to go to show's as much as me, but she had a lot less fun when I was recording because my attention was no longer on her.  I actually prefer to go to shows alone when I am taping so that I can focus just on that.   I'll move from my rig to go into the crowd from time to time each show, and I drink a few beers but I don't get trashed... I don't typically get trashed anyways.  The challange of getting the great pull is a very exciting thing for me.  Sometimes you nail it, and sometimes you don't!
     Sometimes when I bring my full multitrack rig out (this is my personal "prefered" way to tape) the load-in > setup > tear-down can get old, but I have gotten to know so many bands, venues and engineers by being there early/late that I often get in for free, or atleast early when I bring that rig out, so that is a nice perk.  My ambient rig is now a very small open rig and bringing that out is just pure pleasure.  Some shows I am at, I know the band is running on all 8 and if I am the only taper I get huge satisfaction knowing I preserved a very special moment in time that would otherwise never be heard by outside ears.  I guess for me the fun is there but it is the ending satisfaction that makes me want to do it again.  I look at some of my recordings on the archive and see that hundereds or thousands of people have downloaded my source and I feel pretty proud of myself!  One band actually thanked me in the liner notes of their first album because they attribute a lot of their early success to my first recording of them and then the efforts of of other tapers via the buzz I started about them through the TS taping community.
     Then add to that all the friends I have made at shows with just hardcore fans of the artist, bands archivists, other tapers, or even just the people who come up and want to know what I am doing and how to get started.  Taping is cool as shit!

Matt

*edit*  When I first started out I was very anal about staying with my rig, staring at my meters, checking to make sure batts were OK, and gurding my shit.  I have since relaxed and I think that would be true for most people who have been taping for awhile.  First few shows are a little nervewracking but fun nonetheless.

[leehookem]

I've got to say I have a great time taping at shows.  There is the random person around your mics that are bound to bug you... but thats life.  After recording several shows it will stop bugging you and you will get used to it.  Also, I have met some very kind people in the taper section.

I think one key for me to having fun is that we have a few local tapers here that are at most shows.  We have fun with each other and if any of us decide to leave the taper section to hit the rail or go get drinks we know that the rest of us will look out for our gear so there are really now worries.

Taping became much of an addiction for me and I love doing it.

that sums up taping here in Austin too!

[Liquid Drum]

If it wasn't fun I wouldn't tape.  Taping for me is solely a way for me to preserve and have a copy of the concert I went to, its not a contest, its not a race, and its not a job.  As soon as it stops being fun for me i'll quit since I want to have fun at the concerts I go to.  There are several tapers who I know who think of taping as a Race, they sit, have no fun, are really pissy at other people for coming within 10 feet of their stand, and at the end of the night have the tape converted before I pull into my driveway.  I've even seen one taper set up and go back to his car and go to sleep for the majority of the show, coming back later to get his stuff.  These people probably don't have any fun at concerts, but its what they want out of it.

Its all what you make of it, as long as you tell yourself that your enjoyment of the concert comes first you will leave happy and probably still with a copy of the show. 

These people are mainly sellers, I reckon.

They only care about a decent tape so they can make a quick bit of cash.

I do get pissed when people knock my mics around on purpose (when they basically sitting on top of me) its not good.

[cgrooves]

Stealth taping isn't really 'fun' to me personally.  I have fun open taping though.  I don't tape the 'big' shows I go to since there are always multiple sources from big money rigs available the next morning online (I have patched a time or two at these types of shows).  I usually tape small local shows where there are 1-3 tapers present.  I don't have a big money rig and all my stuff fits in a waterproof gear bag (cooler).  This allows me to leave the rig and not really worry about someone spilling a beer on it or walking out with it.  Since I've stopped using DAT, I've even let the recorder run while I've left the venue momentarily.  It's nice not worrying about running out of tape or using it efficiently.

[firmdragon]

I went from being front row guy to guy stealthing in front of a stack to being front row guy with a cam.

I still get a buzz whenever I come out of a show with awesome footage. 

[Sanjay]

These people are mainly sellers, I reckon.

They only care about a decent tape so they can make a quick bit of cash.

no just people who tape a hobby too seriously.

[Liquid Drum]

These people are mainly sellers, I reckon.

They only care about a decent tape so they can make a quick bit of cash.

no just people who tape a hobby too seriously.

Maybe, but they gotta calm down, lol.