Topic: Here's my venue to tape: tell me your best setup for it

[6079]

This is the room.

Let's exclude the soundboard as a source from the equation.  And I believe those two speakers are the only audio source.

What would be the best, dream scenario for taping this room?

I started to think about it, and I'm going to have a pro camcorder in the center with a pretty good stereo mic attached to it.  Then being somewhat OCD, and wanting to produce a good tape, I started thinking I should add a couple external mics.  Now looking at how small this room is, I'm wondering if it would really even matter.  Also since I only have experience taping with one mic, I'd be afraid I'd fuck up the levels with two external mics, because I misplaced them or something.

This is a 5 piece, quiet, semi-acoustic band.
The camera will have adjustable sensitivity to prevent clipping.

I guess my question is, is two external mics to the left and right going to make much of a difference?
Would using only the hi-level stereo mic that comes with a hi-level camcorder produce a worthy sound, or likely worse than the external mics?
And is it possible, using two good, external mics, for me to fuck the sound up by inexperience; whether it be placing too close to the speakers or something?

Any advice, however lengthy, is more than appreciated.

[boojum]

Well, first do you have the external mics?  Cardioid or omnidirectional?  If you have cards I would go with an ORTF set up pretty close in, with omnis a Jecklin or spaced array.  Fill us in on the details.  The only "right" way is to move your mics around the room in whatever array you wind up with to find the "right" spot.  That failing just give it the SWAG method: "Stupid Wild Ass Guess."  A no-fail would be to just put the mics in front of the speakers, but that would be kind of a "canned" sound with no ambiance at all.

You know mic setup schemes are like opinions: everyone has at least two.

Cheers

[jerryfreak]

are there vocals?
I assume you are clear to tape, and can set up anything reasonable as long as its not in people's way?

if no vocals, a short stand with a stereo pair at 'stage lip' would work.

If theres a lot of stuff that only comes thru the PA, borrow a pair of half-decent mics and put them on a stand at 120 deg in the center of the first or second row

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

Is that Mississippi Studios in Portland?  The room has since been changed around if so.  From where the pic is shot is now the stage.  FYI  Also a caviat...they won't let you record there if the band is recording.  No if's and's or buts.  If they are not recording with the Studio it can be done but you have to jump through hoops to do so.


This view was shot from the staircase shown in your pic.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j19/tapermark/dwr%202007-05-11/dwr_2007-05-11020.jpg

Oh and if it's not Mississippi Studios ignore my post but I'm pretty sure it is.   

[digifish_music]

This is the room.

Let's exclude the soundboard as a source from the equation.  And I believe those two speakers are the only audio source.

What would be the best, dream scenario for taping this room?

I started to think about it, and I'm going to have a pro camcorder in the center with a pretty good stereo mic attached to it.  Then being somewhat OCD, and wanting to produce a good tape, I started thinking I should add a couple external mics...Any advice, however lengthy, is more than appreciated.

I'd start here...

http://www.rodemic.com/?pagename=Products&product=Stereo_VideoMic

I have one of these

http://www.rodemic.com/?pagename=Products&product=VideoMic

http://www.rodemic.com/?pagename=Media_Portal&primary_category=Artist%20Video&secondary_category=VideoMic/NTG&product_name=Documentary1&filename=Portal-Video/Artist%20Video%20HIGH/NTG-1%20Doco.wmv

http://www.rodemic.com/?pagename=Media_Portal&primary_category=Artist%20Video&secondary_category=VideoMic/NTG&product_name=Documentary2&filename=Portal-Video/Artist%20Video%20HIGH/VideoMic%20Doco.wmv

and it's brilliant compared to the internal mics on a number of DV cams I have/do use. I think you will get a lot of use out of the Stereo VideoMic if you get one.

digifish

[stantheman1976]

The Rode VideoMic is absolutely not a good choice for music.  It's a mono shotgun mic intended for recording voice within 5-10' of the subject maximum.  The Rode Stereo VideoMic may be a little better, but still not ideal and it's a good chunk of change to drop for 1 event.  The Rode mics in general are more geared toward audio for film and not live music recording.

If you are using a prosumer level camcorder it's going to have a decent mic already.  If you believe you can pull a quality recording with your audio setup I'd record separately and sync it up in post.  It's tough trying to run audio and video at the same time.  I'd say stick with the camcorder and watch the levels to make sure it doesn't clip.  I bet you'll be satisfied.

[6079]

Is that Mississippi Studios in Portland?  The room has since been changed around if so.  From where the pic is shot is now the stage.  FYI  Also a caviat...they won't let you record there if the band is recording.  No if's and's or buts.  If they are not recording with the Studio it can be done but you have to jump through hoops to do so.

I can't believe their shitty policy.  I talked to the guy and told him I wouldn't put the tapes online, and he was nice enough, but stated it's a blanket policy.  I mentioned the videos on youtube, I guess to bolster my argument, but I hope I didn't make them more hard ass because of that.

Really stupid policy.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

So did Jim not allow you to record?  Should have got in touch.  I might have been able to help you in that regard.  Jim Brunberg fronted the band Boxset in the 90's.  I got pretty close with those guys.

http://www.boxset.com/

I've yet to be shutout of a gig I needed to record there yet.   

Sorry for your troubles.

[6079]

So did Jim not allow you to record?  Should have got in touch.  I might have been able to help you in that regard.  Jim Brunberg fronted the band Boxset in the 90's.  I got pretty close with those guys.

http://www.boxset.com/

I've yet to be shutout of a gig I needed to record there yet.   

Sorry for your troubles.

I really appreciate that, but I'm not able to record the show anyway for other reasons.
Thanks for offering.