Topic: Newbie - needs quick advice!

[BG4444]

I have a show to bootleg this weekend, and I am totally new at recording. I was referred to this site from the bands message board, where I was told:

"Pick up a recorder like the Tascam DR-05 - it's under $80 at Amazon. This recorder has built in mics, but I would definitely recommend getting some external mics along with a battery box/pre-amp."

I posted in this section of the forum because it looks like I need a recorder, external mics, and a battery box/ pre amp.

Would anyone here be able to give me quick advice on what items to purchase, and if I can pick them up at a store such a best buy, guitar world, or some place like that...I was wondering if I would be able to use the equipment to record a show and return it to the store the next day.

I see you have some guides for newbies but unfortunately I do not have much time!

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[F.O.Bean]

I would buy these and a Sony PCM-m10 recorder

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=162535.0

[jagraham]

^ Yeah I'm trying to sell those if you are interested in omnis. They sound really good if the sound is good, if you dig around you can find some samples. If the show is this weekend please let me know ASAP if it's something you might be interested in.

I don't know of anywhere you can buy equipment and return it the next day but it's worth a try. I'd be glad to sell you the CAFs but if you only need if for one day you might consider borrowing from someone.

[OOK]

I have a show to bootleg this weekend, and I am totally new at recording. I was referred to this site from the bands message board, where I was told:

"Pick up a recorder like the Tascam DR-05 - it's under $80 at Amazon. This recorder has built in mics, but I would definitely recommend getting some external mics along with a battery box/pre-amp."

I posted in this section of the forum because it looks like I need a recorder, external mics, and a battery box/ pre amp.

Would anyone here be able to give me quick advice on what items to purchase, and if I can pick them up at a store such a best buy, guitar world, or some place like that...I was wondering if I would be able to use the equipment to record a show and return it to the store the next day.

I see you have some guides for newbies but unfortunately I do not have much time!

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

You got it... keep reading though.  Also please do not use the term bootleg... many folks around here are a tad sensitive to that term.  Bootleg has a negative connotation to what we do.  A bootleg is usually something sold without permission or knowledge of the artist.  Start throwing the word bootleg around at a show and you are guaranteed to get bounced.  Concert recording, show, recording, concert taper are all acceptable.  Many of use consider the hobby a passion and look at ourselves as some form of archivist.  Bootleggers ruin for the rest of us.  Welcome to the hobby... hold onto your wallet your in for a ride.

Peace OOK

Yeah just reread your post.  move along.... nothing here for you to see.   

[Marshall7]

I was wondering if I would be able to use the equipment to record a show and return it to the store the next day.

Classy 

[BG4444]

I didn't realize that being passionate about spreading some music with a nice recording would be shunned around here if I wasn't rich...thanks to anyone who can help give some advice on what equipment to get and where to get it, and whether I could return it.

[Toke]

If you're just gonna return it, get a pair of Schoeps mk41s and a Sound Devices 744.  Most people here (myself included) are gonna think using equipment for one shot and returning it is a bit of a dick move, though.  If there's an event you would like to see recorded, you'll probably have better luck asking in Find a Taper section for someone to record.  On the other hand, this is a VERY addictive hobby, so jump in and build a decent starter rig, and keep it.  I have ~$1800 invested and pull some really decent stuff.  You could get by with a Sony m10 and some Church mics for $4-500.  Still a decent way to start. 

[flipp]

I didn't realize that being passionate about spreading some music with a nice recording would be shunned around here if I wasn't rich...thanks to anyone who can help give some advice on what equipment to get and where to get it, and whether I could return it.

Sharing nice recordings is always appreciated no matter how frugal/extravagant your rig is. What will get folks po'd has already been commented on (bootleg, expecting to use someone else's equipment for nothing while they take a loss - ie they can no longer sell it as new).

If this is for a one-shot recording and you have no intention of purchasing and keeping equipment ask someone else to record it for you or go to an equipment rental company/local musical instrument retailer and rent the equipment for a day.

[F.O.Bean]

I didn't realize that being passionate about spreading some music with a nice recording would be shunned around here if I wasn't rich...thanks to anyone who can help give some advice on what equipment to get and where to get it, and whether I could return it.

Sharing nice recordings is always appreciated no matter how frugal/extravagant your rig is. What will get folks po'd has already been commented on (bootleg, expecting to use someone else's equipment for nothing while they take a loss - ie they can no longer sell it as new).

If this is for a one-shot recording and you have no intention of purchasing and keeping equipment ask someone else to record it for you or go to an equipment rental company/local musical instrument retailer and rent the equipment for a day.

100% agreed. Well said Take this mans advice!!!

[Marshall7]

I didn't realize that being passionate about spreading some music with a nice recording would be shunned around here if I wasn't rich...thanks to anyone who can help give some advice on what equipment to get and where to get it, and whether I could return it.

Maybe you can buy a new shirt for the show and return it after as well.

[cashandkerouac]

I didn't realize that being passionate about spreading some music with a nice recording would be shunned around here if I wasn't rich...thanks to anyone who can help give some advice on what equipment to get and where to get it, and whether I could return it.

Sharing nice recordings is always appreciated no matter how frugal/extravagant your rig is. What will get folks po'd has already been commented on (bootleg, expecting to use someone else's equipment for nothing while they take a loss - ie they can no longer sell it as new).

If this is for a one-shot recording and you have no intention of purchasing and keeping equipment ask someone else to record it for you or go to an equipment rental company/local musical instrument retailer and rent the equipment for a day.

100% agreed. Well said Take this mans advice!!!

another vote for the rental option.

[Church-Audio]

I didn't realize that being passionate about spreading some music with a nice recording would be shunned around here if I wasn't rich...thanks to anyone who can help give some advice on what equipment to get and where to get it, and whether I could return it.

I will rent you a preamp and mics for $250 for the week + return shipping.

 

[Scooter123]

Jack Ryan: I'm here to rent the Huey.
Helicopter owner: We don't rent it anymore, but it is for sale.
Jack Ryan: How much?
Helicopter owner: Two million dollars.
Jack Ryan: Uh, my pilot and I will have to take it for a test drive.
Helicopter owner: Of course, you just have to leave a deposit.
Jack Ryan: How much is that?
Helicopter owner: Two million dollars.
Jack Ryan: Umm...[Shows a CIA business card]Jack Ryan: Would you take a company check?

[Church-Audio]

Jack Ryan: I'm here to rent the Huey.
Helicopter owner: We don't rent it anymore, but it is for sale.
Jack Ryan: How much?
Helicopter owner: Two million dollars.
Jack Ryan: Uh, my pilot and I will have to take it for a test drive.
Helicopter owner: Of course, you just have to leave a deposit.
Jack Ryan: How much is that?
Helicopter owner: Two million dollars.
Jack Ryan: Umm...[Shows a CIA business card]Jack Ryan: Would you take a company check?

Classic...

[Drifter1]

I didn't realize that being passionate about spreading some music with a nice recording would be shunned around here if I wasn't rich...thanks to anyone who can help give some advice on what equipment to get and where to get it, and whether I could return it.

I will rent you a preamp and mics for $250 for the week + return shipping.

 

haha...to funny....that edirol hr u passed along to me last year is still working great Chris...thanks so much for the recorder not to mention all my other CA gear!

[404 Not Found]

Church-Audio was spot on in regards to your needs, especially if you are looking to return the recorder and mics.  Just rent them from a local audio/video dealer or take up Church-Audio on their offer.  Every city has some business that usually provides a full range of sound and lighting equipment for daily+ rentals.  Guitar/Music stores have in the past rented multi track recorders as well.   Just get something simple to use.

[F.O.Bean]

Sonic sense rents equipment as well, but they're probably out of your price range!

[stevetoney]

Good advice about rental no doubt...one has to wonder how interested the OP is in that advice though. 

Sorry to newbs everywhere that might think from this thread that TS.com isn't a friendly, welcoming place to newb tapers.  I've personally helped tens, if not hundreds of newb tapers over the years.  But when the first questions in the first two posts from a new member are about bootlegging and/or using a new recorder and taking it back the next day, the responses are predictably not going to be a big ole 'welcome'.

To the original poster, your friends were correct to direct you to this talkgroup...it's a wealth of knowledge from experience people.  Many people consider this one of the most civil, friendly places on the web.  However, you need to also read the 'start here' section, which discusses our view on bootlegging, and respect the fact that this site is occupied by legitimate tapers, engineers and equipment dealers.  Its not a group of people that are here to talk about ways to scam equipment dealers and artists.  Not trying to to be obnoxious with this response...just tring to help recalibrate your expectations a bit.

[jagraham]

Good advice about rental no doubt...one has to wonder how interested the OP is in that advice though. 

Sorry to newbs everywhere that might think from this thread that TS.com isn't a friendly, welcoming place to newb tapers.  I've personally helped tens, if not hundreds of newb tapers over the years.  But when the first questions in the first two posts from a new member are about bootlegging and/or using a new recorder and taking it back the next day, the responses are predictably not going to be a big ole 'welcome'.

To the original poster, your friends were correct to direct you to this talkgroup...it's a wealth of knowledge from experience people.  Many people consider this one of the most civil, friendly places on the web.  However, you need to also read the 'start here' section, which discusses our view on bootlegging, and respect the fact that this site is occupied by legitimate tapers, engineers and equipment dealers.  Its not a group of people that are here to talk about ways to scam equipment dealers and artists.  Not trying to to be obnoxious with this response...just tring to help recalibrate your expectations a bit.

^ Agreed. "I have a show to bootleg this weekend" is not the best way to start off here. Also I would almost bet that just about no one on this site knows much about attempting to buy good gear and return it the next day (outside of the rental option that is).

[flipp]

So he's a noob and knows no better with his reference to "bootleg". I'm willing to let that slide unless he continues to use the term (provided he continues posting).

The "return equipment the next day" is what I have the problem with. If any place will do that I can think of only two scenarios where it might happen: 1) allow full credit for an upgrade to more expensive equipment or 2) charge a hefty restocking fee. For the latter I think renting would likely have been cheaper.

I'm curious what band he wanted to record and hope he at least posts once more with that info and how his first time recording a show turned out. Would be nice if he also gave us his impressions of whether recording was as easy as he thought it was going to be and if the results were as good as he hoped they would be.

To the original poster, your friends were correct to direct you to this talkgroup...it's a wealth of knowledge from experience people.  Many people consider this one of the most civil, friendly places on the web.  However, you need to also read the 'start here' section, which discusses our view on bootlegging, and respect the fact that this site is occupied by legitimate tapers, engineers and equipment dealers.  Its not a group of people that are here to talk about ways to scam equipment dealers and artists.  Not trying to to be obnoxious with this response...just tring to help recalibrate your expectations a bit.

well said

[stevetoney]

Totally agree Flipp.

It's always amazing to me how that one b-word is like nails on the chalkboard here.