Topic: Good ways to minimise a noisy crowd?

[ideal77dlr]

I'm taping some outdoor festival shows this summer - not *particularly* open taping - and am planning to do a matrix running a set of omnis and a set of cards. More of an experiment really. Bit concerned about the amount of noise I might pick up, espeicially with the omnis - anyone have any genius ideas or methods to minimise this?

[adrianf74]

Shoot those around you who talk?   

On a serious note, the only way around this is to "fly high" but then if you're not allowed to open record, that's not gonna be a possibility.  Omnis, by their nature, capture sound from ALL AROUND you where as the cards will pick up more of "what's ahead of you."  Suffice to say, if you have some asshats three or four people in front of you, you're gonna hear them loud and clear on your capture with the cards and less so with the omnis...

There is no *EASY* way to get around asshats (except move and that's not always possible, either).

EDIT: Another thought... Doing a card/omni matrix from the same spot may yield worse results than if you stuck to one capture.   Personally, when I'm outdoors, I go with the omnis.   Stack taping can be good, however, depending on the soundfield (stereo or mono) at the source, you might end up missing some effects/panning if you're to one side.   

[fandelive]

Try to get close to the stacks so that crowd noise will be covered by music.

[fleish]

Shoot those around you who talk?   

Worked for Charles Bronson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X1apt6zOa8

[aaronji]

^^^ Damn gunshots always introduce transient distortion, though...On the other hand, it does tend to open up some space around you...

[eman]

Fart spray has been discussed here in the past or you could just load up on some black beans

[George]

Don't shower (and wipe) for a week or two.

[daspyknows]

Pepper spray, but be sure to bring your gas mask.

[fleish]

Pepper spray, but be sure to bring your gas mask.

And a trustworthy friend with your bail money

[adrianf74]

Pepper spray, but be sure to bring your gas mask.

And a trustworthy friend with your bail money

But if everybody's hacking and coughing, your recording will be craptastic... so I'd consider this suggestion a *FAIL*. 

[daspyknows]

Pepper spray, but be sure to bring your gas mask.

And a trustworthy friend with your bail money

But if everybody's hacking and coughing, your recording will be craptastic... so I'd consider this suggestion a *FAIL*. 

maybe for 5 or 10 seconds.  might get trampled though. 

Better to stealth and me mobile

[it-goes-to-eleven]

The KGB has a solution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolokol-1

[perks]

A giant never dissipating cloud of vitamin P can quiet the rowdiest crowd.

[sparkey]

I once ate a smothered burrito that did wonders to evacuate the crowd around me at the Fox in Boulder.  Sold out show with a perfect 5' diameter empty circle on the 2nd level.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I once ate a smothered burrito that did wonders to evacuate the crowd around me at the Fox in Boulder.  Sold out show with a perfect 5' diameter empty circle on the 2nd level.

"Scorched Earth Policy"

KGB's got nothing' on that.

[newplanet7]

I once ate a smothered burrito that did wonders to evacuate the crowd around me at the Fox in Boulder.  Sold out show with a perfect 5' diameter empty circle on the 2nd level.

"Scorched Earth Policy"

KGB's got nothing' on that.

Well played.

[F.O.Bean]

I once ate a smothered burrito that did wonders to evacuate the crowd around me at the Fox in Boulder.  Sold out show with a perfect 5' diameter empty circle on the 2nd level.

"Scorched Earth Policy"

KGB's got nothing' on that.

Well played.

 

[gratefulphish]

This is your solution: 

[Myco]

Don't shower (and wipe) for a week or two.

That describes about 90% of the crowd at a jamband show, so I don't think it would be necessarily effective. 

[adrianf74]

Don't shower (and wipe) for a week or two.

That describes about 90% of the crowd at a jamband show, so I don't think it would be necessarily effective. 

LMAO.  Great one, Myco... great one.   

[cashandkerouac]

it depends on the show, but sometimes smokin' your neighbors out with some real good medicine can do wonders.  however, it's not a cheap solution. 

this dilemma is a constant and ongoing issue.  no easy answers and no silver bullet.  oh, how i wish there were.  good luck! 

[OldNeumanntapr]

Chloroform in a spray bottle. (I never tried it but REALLY wished I could have on a number of occasions!)

[achalsey]

Maybe a PSA along the lines of this would help

http://i.imgur.com/Bjmi7.jpg

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Maybe a PSA along the lines of this would help

http://i.imgur.com/Bjmi7.jpg

Spray it, don't say it!

[stevetoney]

A serious suggestion would be to get a group of friends together to block for you.  If they know you're taping and you can miraculously get them to stay quiet, they could keep you in the center and keep the general public at least a small distance from you so you there won't be any direct talking or clapping on your recording. 

Although it's more to keep gear safe in tight crowds, in open taping situations at festivals we try to get a group of tapers together FOB DFC and do this.  It helps.

[F.O.Bean]

A serious suggestion would be to get a group of friends together to block for you.  If they know you're taping and you can miraculously get them to stay quiet, they could keep you in the center and keep the general public at least a small distance from you so you there won't be any direct talking or clapping on your recording. 

Although it's more to keep gear safe in tight crowds, in open taping situations at festivals we try to get a group of tapers together FOB DFC and do this.  It helps.

Agreed good buddy