Topic: Taping in an amphitheatre - pick the spot

[Popmarter]

Hi all,

My friend and I are gonna record in this amphitheatre, what would be the best spot to record from?

Used mics:
- DPA 4060 (omni)
- Milab VM440Links (cards)
- AT's (cards and hypercards)

We can use a Manfrotto pole that we can hook on the wooden seats (as far as I can see now).

I added one picture from the front to show the used PA system (I guess it is gonna be something familiar to this).

grts
Popmarter

[perks]

The PA stacks are spread fairly wide so if it were me I'd go for spot #2.

Beautiful spot to catch some music.

Edit: Seeing the 3rd picture gives a better perspective of the width of the PA. I'd still aim on being in the center as much as possible.

[page]

The PA stacks are spread fairly wide so if it were me I'd go for spot #2.

Beautiful spot to catch some music.

Yeah, that vicinity is the optimum.

[deadheadcorey]

where is this venue?

[Popmarter]

where is this venue?

Caprera (=venue)
Bloemendaal (= city)
The Netherlands
http://www.openluchttheaterbloemendaal.nl/

[Popmarter]

Thanks for the replies sofar.

Is there anything to say as it comes to 2 (centre, just under the mixingdesk) compared to 3 (first row seating, mics pointing at one stack)?

To me:

2
+ "stereo"
+ ambiance
+/- crowdnoise (limited as we use pole)


1
+ "mono"
+ more upfront sound (?)
+ no crowdnoise
- people passing by

[page]

If you get more than 35-40 degrees off the center axis for a PA you don't catch nearly as much sound. So if you're going to the front row, you're going to the sides, not the center. (I'm still referencing that first pic is why I say that) Otherwise I think your assessment is correct.

[Chuck]

If you have access to the venue when a band is playing at a time when you are not recording, I'd take a walk around in that grand stand and listen carefully at various spots. You don't want to be so close that you aren't capturing the PA speakers. That said it looks like a good venue and you could probably make a good recording while centered anywhere in that grand stand.

[bombdiggity]

Is the usual crowd chatty/talkative? 

Since outdoors the reverberant sound may not be too heavy so you could get by with dead center in the back just FOB (2) to considerably FOB (5) as long as the crowd is quiet. 

On the other hand the first row is pretty far back itself, so I'd run dead center there with a directional mic pointed at the relative center of each set of stacks.  That would minimize the crowd.  If you can get them on a stand there that may help as long as it is not so high to be far above the direct line of the speakers.  Too high in the back may get pretty far above the direct sound at a venue like this. 

I'm a contrarian relative to many I think.  I never go any further back than I absolutely have to.  You should have less crowd and more immediacy/less mud anywhere close compared to being in the back.   

What do your ears tell you when you walk it?  Usually the sweetest spot becomes apparent pretty quickly if you can walk it a bit while someone is playing. 

Looks like a nice place. 

Thanks for the replies sofar.

Is there anything to say as it comes to 2 (centre, just under the mixingdesk) compared to 3 (first row seating, mics pointing at one stack)?

[flipp]

5

[deadheadcorey]

where is this venue?

Caprera (=venue)
Bloemendaal (= city)
The Netherlands
http://www.openluchttheaterbloemendaal.nl/

that sure is a beautiful amphitheatre. would love to see a show there! fwiw i would go with option #2

[trustthex]

1 (if you can get away w/ it) ORTF   ||  2 can't be bad either

I can't imagine there's a spot in that venue that sounds horrible.  Beautiful too.

[justink]

i'm thinking between #1 and #2, somewhere in the middle (is that #5?).  or #3.

that water pit sucks.

[Gutbucket]

5 - best safe bet, I'd start there in case you cannot walk around to listen and then move your recording position.
3 - may be better but only listening can determine that.
2 - safe but less-involving, unexciting choice.

[Popmarter]

Thanks a lot all for the replies. 

Seems like a lot of opinions and different views on on this subject!

We will get back after the show, halfway august.