Topic: starting out

[mmcdermott18]

Can anyone help me out with what i would need to start out. What to get, where to buy it, stuff like that. Thanks
-M

[thoman8r]

What sort of budget are you on? 

You're gonna need at the very least a deck to record to so you can patch out of somebody else's rig or the soundboard.  Your options from cheapest to most expensive are
1. Minidisc
2. Nomad Jukebox 3
3. DAT
4. Solid-state recorder like a SD 722

If you want to record with your own mics, you are going to need the mics, as well as a pre-amp that supplies phantom power and optionally a separate analog to digital converter (you can probably use the one in your deck).  Then you'll need various cables and clamps and a stand (possibly).

What you get all depends on what kind of budget you are on.  There are too many choices to list them all.

Dave

[mmcdermott18]

I have the money to buy decent equipment im sure but im just looking for what would cost the least but still provide with a good quality recording of a show.
-m

[Tony B]

Budget determines all. Once you get the bug, that can go out the window...

[thoman8r]

I have the money to buy decent equipment im sure but im just looking for what would cost the least but still provide with a good quality recording of a show.
-m

What is "decent" is very subjective.  Basically a rig is going to cost you somewhere between $600-$6000.

Plus, there are other considerations - will you only be taping bands that openly allow taping or will you have to stealth tape the shows you are going to.  This will heavily influence which equipment you get. 

Also, the type of music you are recording can play a factor.

[mmcdermott18]

The music would be Dave Matthews Band mainly, that sort of music, lead accustic guitar. The band does allow open taping at there shows. I would like to know which is easier and cheapier, doing it as an audience recording or a soundboard recording.
-m

[jesse]

The music would be Dave Matthews Band mainly, that sort of music, lead accustic guitar. The band does allow open taping at there shows. I would like to know which is easier and cheapier, doing it as an audience recording or a soundboard recording.
-m

well running off a sound board all you would need is a deck and the cables to hook it up, but getting permision to run off the board sometimes is not that easy.  with audience recording you can patch off rigs or buy you're own. patching is cheaper as all you need is a deck and cables. 

[mmcdermott18]

Ok, so what are some good decks that are relativly cheap, and how do you feel about the minidisc recording option?

[drowned_in_milk]

Ok, so what are some good decks that are relativly cheap, and how do you feel about the minidisc recording option?

noooooooooooooo, MiniDisc is lossy, so you don't want that.  I suppose it's acceptable for stealthing, but for anything else, defniitely not.  You can get a refurb'd Nomad Jukebox 3 for 180, which is waht you want to do most likely.

[mmcdermott18]

Alright, with the Nomad Jukebox 3, what options to i have to record with, is it just soundboard or can i do audience too?

[radioboy1977]

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=4237.0

moderators, any chance we can get this link tacked to the top of the "ask the tapers..." thread as well?

[thoman8r]

well if you plan on taping DMB, you are going to need mics because you can't get a soundboard patch.  What you get depends on what you spend.  With the fantastic JBL line array they are using now for their PA you can get a good recording without having to spend a lot of mone.  Having said that, DMB of course is well-covered taperwise already so if your intention is only to have a good quality copy of the show you are going to, I suggest saving your money as there will be plenty of good quality sources floating around of every show.

But we still need a ballpark figure for a budget to be of more help.

Dave

[mmcdermott18]

Ok, I have around between 1,000 and 1,250 im willing to spend. Prefferably on the low end but we will see what goes down.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Studio Project C4 mics or ADK A51s (~$300 pair)
Denecke PS2 and AD20 or Edirol UA5 (~$300)
Nomad Juke Box 3 (~$200)
2x mic cables - Canare home made (~$40)
1x optical cable (~$10)
1x AKG T-Bar (~$20)
1x bosh light stand (for your mics) and thread adapter (~$50)
Batteries, random stuff, various adapter cables, flashlight (~$30)

This rig is about $950 and is a pretty good starter rig.  Both myself and a friend here at work use this setup, he has the C4s>PS2>AD20 and I have the ADK A51S LEs>UA5.

If you go the UA5 route, you can matrix tapes.  Either way, with the AD20 or the UA5, you can do SBD patches.  The UA5 can be more expensive than the PS2/AD20 route, but it has more features.  However, the PS2>AD20 was designed for field use and runs on 9volt batteries.  The UA5 will require a special constructed battery pack (RadioShack ~$20) and it has to be modified for use without a laptop.  There are several FAQs on doing this yourself, but you can order it professional done from the Oade Brothers.  This has advantaged as they do several other mods to the UA5 - or rather they will modify a UA5 bought from them, but no others...

Good luck, and hopefully you are buying all this to tape more than just DMB.  Frankly there are already tons of people taping Dave with lots more money to buy super-taping stuff (a pair of Neumanns or Scheops are more than $1000 in themselves).  I think you'll have more fun taping smaller, less-known bands at your local venue...  To me, it has been more satisfying knowing I'm the only source for a show, rather than being one of several dozen...  But whatever, man...  Its your rig, tape what you want!!!

Good luck!

Terry

[thoman8r]

You could get something like

ADK TL
digi-mod UA-5
JB3

Add in cables and a stand and that'll probably clock in around $1200.

[mmcdermott18]

To clarify the taping of DMB someone asked what kind of music it was so i used DMB as the primary example of the type of music. I know you can get his shows in good quality, since I am downloading one right now. But thank you for all of your help.

[Brian]

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=4237.0

moderators, any chance we can get this link tacked to the top of the "ask the tapers..." thread as well?

[mmcdermott18]

Does anyone have a site that sells this stuff or is it various sites for various equipment?

[Chris K]

Does anyone have a site that sells this stuff or is it various sites for various equipment?

www.oade.com

www.sonicsense.com

www.micsupply.com

www.cascademedia.net

www.soundprofessionals.com

[jpschust]

www.daleproaudio.com as well

[Chris K]

www.daleproaudio.com as well

definitely! 

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

I bought my ADK A51S LEs on EBAY from Andy's Music - there are several $300 pairs in Yard Sale here...

I bought my Nomad 3 from Amazon.com as they had a $50 rebate offer.

I bought my Edirol UA-5 from the Oade Bros.

Yard Sale here is great, if only I had some money!!!

Lots of my small stuff I ordered from various places: Googling the product and finding the cheapest place on line selling...

T

[mmcdermott18]

Alright, so I have what to buy and where to buy. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.
             -M