I'm going to be taping this band again in the same venue with the same setup. However, the venue's PA got stolen, so I won't have to worry about the PA this time. I've got an idea that might be stupid, so I'm looking for some feedback before I shoot myself in the foot...
I was contemplating using split omnis in a kind of funky way. I'd put one in the back in front of the bass and keyboard amps, and I'd put the other in the front of the two brass performers. My thought is I'd get a decent stereo image, but it just wouldn't reflect the image from the audience's point of view. What I like about it was that my last recording was way heavy on the brass and light on the keys and bass. This might help me balance it out more. Plus, it'll center the drums a bit more on both channels instead of being on the left like last time. I can think of a few downsides though. For starters, the audience is going to sound like it is all left channel (brass mic). Second, the bass/keys mic will be behind the brass, so maybe phase issues? Third, the brass mic will pick up both the brass AND the keys/bass behind it. So, not sure if this is such a wise idea. Thought?
Another approach would be to run like I did last time, but closer. I think I can get about 3-4' closer than I did last time. Also, I ran DIN cards last time, and maybe I'd run X-Y cards this time in the hopes of bringing the wetness of the room verb down a bit. But I'm not sure if X-Y would even help with that -- I don't have enough experience. I know X-Y can help tame the bass a bit compared to DIN or NOS, but can it also help with a lot of big-space verb too?
Finally, I can't post any samples from my first attempt, but if you PM me to help, I'll get you a sample from the first time around. Maybe that'll help someone give me some advice for my second crack at this gig. BTW, I actually like my first tape, but I'm just trying to improve it a bit.
-- Thanks, Taint