So I want to get into taping, but I also don't want people asking me questions, and I want to be able to hang out with friends at shows or talk while I'm taping.
How do all of you get around that? What are some sleek setups that sound really good without taking your attention away from just having fun at a show too. Or what are some tips for leaving the recorder on its own to do the work while you enjoy the show?
For example, for my first setup I went with binaural mics that go in my ear, with a cord that can go under my shirt so it'll look like I'm just wearing ear plugs or something. But, what happens when I start getting into higher quality or want to talk to people next to me while the show is going? I'm wondering how my first show will go with this setup.
Lots of good advice here. As you'll see, there's a lot of negativity among tapers about "talking". Now, if you want to talk back at a bar or something, that's one thing. If you're going to the show to talk over the music, I think most of us think that's pretty annoying whether your recording is affected or not.
The simple answer is to mount the mics somewhere that they won't pick up a lot of sound of you or anyone else talking. For example, at one venue I go to a lot, I have some mics mounted high up on a post and aimed down at the PA. Place is terrible for talkers, but not my problem anymore. Similarly, a balcony clamp and extension arm are also your friends -- get the mics further from the people, and the less talking you pick up.
If you're wearing the mics, you can either tape, or talk, but not both. Also, omnidirectional mics like yours will pick up the most chatter, no matter where they are mounted.
If you really are just into going to shows and drinking and talking rather than listening to music (and I said "if"; I don't know you), taping may just not be your thing. It's a lot of effort to put into documenting a show that isn't even worth watching in the first place.