Topic: Need help chosing the best spot (venue pictures and plan inside)

[fandelive]

Hi,

I still have to get tickets for a show I absolutely want to attend (A Qween tribute band) !
It's a 2000 people capacity venue. Only seats. I want to tape this show from the best possible spot that's still available (many tickets are already gone).

I'll be using cardioid mics (MM-HLSC-1) and will mount them in a hat (kind of binaural style).

If you look at the attached files, you'll find a venue map. Seats that are still available are coloured.

According to the sweet spot triangle theory and considering the remaining seats, I guess my best bet will be somewhere in the red square area (see joined jpg).

Thank you for any advice
Greetings

[Brian Skalinder]

Without knowing how the venue sounds and how the stage / PA will be set up -- especially considering it looks like a space designed for un-amplified performances --  the triangle theory is as good as any.

[flipp]

Your red square looks good but don't rule out that single seat in row 4.

[stevetoney]

The Red Square (also known as Moscow) might be a bit distant.  I recommend hypers for the 'zoom' effect.

[newplanet7]

That is a great looking venue! Sexy as hell.
Carry-on.

[fandelive]

Thank you all for the comments !

The Red Square (also known as Moscow) might be a bit distant.  I recommend hypers for the 'zoom' effect.

Unfortunately, I don't have hyper caps. I'll use my MM-HLSC-1 cardioids > CA-9100 > R09-HR.
It's probably gonna be a loud rock show and my seat should not be that far away from the speakers as the room is less than 200 feet long (minus the stage I guess). I'm only gonna sit about 60-70 feet from stage, dead center.

I might consider bringing in a second rig (SP-BMC-12 omnis > SP battery-box > Sony MD), just because I want to try a matrix.
I'm aware recording with both omnis and cards from the same location might not enhance the sound in any way, but I'm just curious.

And, oh... BTW : the Red Square joke was pretty well received 

[TNJazz]

Your red square looks good but don't rule out that single seat in row 4.

^^^
This

[StuStu]

That is a great looking venue! Sexy as hell.
Carry-on.

Indeed!

[F.O.Bean]

Awesome looking venue

[Gutbucket]

I'd love to check out an acoustic performance in that room.  If this were one, then no question I would go with flipp's suggestion and TN's second.

Your red square looks good but don't rule out that single seat in row 4.

^^^
This

Really tough call for anything amplified without any idea of how they'll rig the PA.  Best could be row 4, red square, left of red square to be directly in-line with the supposed PA column on that side, or elsewhere.  If the sound at your seat turns out to be less than best, assess the situation as best you can, then be opportunistic and prepared to move decisively and grab an available empty seat in what you thing will be a better spot for the second set.  Great way to learn the venue for optimizing future recording opportunities there.

[fandelive]

I'll be taping another show at this venue in a couple of days.
I already have a sit located in the red square (see joined pictures in the first post) and this time, I'm wondering what mics to use.

It's gonna be an intimate gig with only a singer and his acoustic guitar + a pianist.
Both will be amplified thought.

Considering the venue is built for that kind of shows (again, see the pics in the first post), I think my best option is to use omnis and do a binaural recording. I expect a quiet audience, but I really hope for singalongers.

My taping rig is pretty basic. I don't have a mic stand or a professional preamp (see my signature).

Even if I've read that it's better to be front row when using omnis, and even if cardioids may be a better choice when taping from my spot, I still think I'll get better results with omnis in this particular case.

Advices welcome

[Roy Martin]

If it's general admission... and, thus, you have your choice for acoustic sweet spot... why not approach the guys running the board and ask them where is the best spot acoustically for you to stand in?  If he/they want to know why you're asking, tell them because you merely want the best sound, have had bad experiences in the venue previously, blah blah blah.  Of course, holding a mic stand during this conversation may be, er.... not suggested.