Topic: How Many Sources?

[hoserama]

Going to discount running a multitrack off the soundboard.

Biggest rig I've done is 16 IEM feeds before. Just recently recorded 8 IEM feeds on my person (stealth) for the B-52s a few weeks ago. Of course recording multiple IEM feeds with intention of doing a final mix is a different beast than multiple mic sources, more akin to multitracking off a board.

[tjj5036]

Varies, typically one when doing stealth but if I'm w/ my SO and it's a show that we know an archive exists for where they would appreciate as many sources as possible I'll wire her up w/ a second set of mics. She loves that lol. If I'm testing new gear I always bring a backup rig, like what I did for Tool last year when running the Babynbox for the first time.

[moondust.and.solitude]

^ Or misunderstood, rather.  In his original post, OP moondust.and.solitude specifically mentioned 3 separate sources   That's 6 channels in that particular case.  So which is it?

I took "sources" to mean "mic pairs." Or, more simply, how many plugs I need to find input jacks for.

I apologize. I should have been more specific. Yes, I meant "mic pairs" as in a set of omni, a set of cardioids and a set of hyper-cardioids. Three mics pairs and three recorders. Sometimes it's just two mic pairs and two recorders and an iPhone as a third "source". Gutbucket, you are correct, there's a lot of different taper styles on here, and it does get jumbled. Sorry for the confusion

[moondust.and.solitude]

Going to discount running a multitrack off the soundboard.

Biggest rig I've done is 16 IEM feeds before. Just recently recorded 8 IEM feeds on my person (stealth) for the B-52s a few weeks ago. Of course recording multiple IEM feeds with intention of doing a final mix is a different beast than multiple mic sources, more akin to multitracking off a board.

Massive respect for you over here. It's not easy to do ONE, not to mention 16 times! Wow. I've always wanted to dip my toe into that pond, but it's beyond my means, so I just sit on the sidelines and watch the pros.

[roffels]

Going to discount running a multitrack off the soundboard.

Biggest rig I've done is 16 IEM feeds before. Just recently recorded 8 IEM feeds on my person (stealth) for the B-52s a few weeks ago. Of course recording multiple IEM feeds with intention of doing a final mix is a different beast than multiple mic sources, more akin to multitracking off a board.

Massive respect for you over here. It's not easy to do ONE, not to mention 16 times! Wow. I've always wanted to dip my toe into that pond, but it's beyond my means, so I just sit on the sidelines and watch the pros.

The whole IEM feed thing seems like some forbidden sorcery in these circles - it's not talked about in the open and all kind of seems like magic when such a tape is shared. I'm glad folks are doing it, but yeah, I'm with you. Happy to watch from the sidelines.

[aaronji]

One good one. Rarely disappointed.

Occasionally get a SBD as well and that is nice to mix in and support the vocals and instruments.

I was just talking about this last night - I have a second set of mics I could run, but to be honest, I don't want to carry that much gear. I may cut down to actives > baby nbox > sony A10 and that's it, open or low profile. Only pull out other gear when I'm getting a board and want to run 4 channels.

That's the bottom line for me as well. One pair of microphones. An extra set of cables for the SBD, if possible. As I have mentioned previously, I usually take trains, in combination with walking and other forms of public transport, to get to shows. The less I have to lug, the happier I am.

I actually recently got a second set of screws for my mic bar, so that I can mount two pairs, but they are still in the bubble wrap they came in...

[Gutbucket]

In his original post, OP moondust.and.solitude specifically mentioned 3 separate sources   That's 6 channels in that particular case.  So which is it?

My point is that this is an important distinction, which is not often clearly differentiated in our discussions here at TS, but should be.

I see you edited your post. It was not misunderstood. You can make the distinction all you want, we know what he meant. Sources, mic pairs - in this case the same thing.

There is useful information in (most of) your posts and you are clearly a knowledgeable and passionate person, you care about the community. Just no need to make these kind of distinctions that feel pedantic when you are correcting someone. If it is only me, so be it. I'll shut up now. I've said my piece.

Who is this "we" you speak for?  I assume you mean you. I speak for myself.

I edited that post to remove ["^ Or misunderstood, rather. "] not because I felt it was mistaken, but simply to eliminate any potential inference of intended provocation toward you, which was not my intent.  I wanted to post about the difference between sources, pairs and channels because that is something I've felt has been a general point of confusion and source of miscommunication for a very long time around TS, gets to a fundamental way of thinking about taping that I feel is useful and that I'm particularly interested in, and saw this as the perfect opportunity to discuss it.  Forewarning- Finding that this long running misunderstanding is so strong that it unconscionably provokes a presumptive "we", I'm quite likely to post about it again in other threads.  Free to ignore or block my posts as you see fit.

[Scooter123]

Going to discount running a multitrack off the soundboard.

Biggest rig I've done is 16 IEM feeds before. Just recently recorded 8 IEM feeds on my person (stealth) for the B-52s a few weeks ago. Of course recording multiple IEM feeds with intention of doing a final mix is a different beast than multiple mic sources, more akin to multitracking off a board.

We, well you actually,  did something like 18-20 IEM sources for Rod Stewart once, 19 if you count the Schoeps source inside.  M16 + a Zoom + Dr2d. 

[hoserama]

That's the one I was thinking of! Had 12x stereo IEM feeds to the Utrack24 then another 4x to the Zoom F8. You ran the Schoeps inside. So 16 sources plus mics, but I can't take credit for the mics!

[hoserama]

Going to discount running a multitrack off the soundboard.

Biggest rig I've done is 16 IEM feeds before. Just recently recorded 8 IEM feeds on my person (stealth) for the B-52s a few weeks ago. Of course recording multiple IEM feeds with intention of doing a final mix is a different beast than multiple mic sources, more akin to multitracking off a board.

Massive respect for you over here. It's not easy to do ONE, not to mention 16 times! Wow. I've always wanted to dip my toe into that pond, but it's beyond my means, so I just sit on the sidelines and watch the pros.

The whole IEM feed thing seems like some forbidden sorcery in these circles - it's not talked about in the open and all kind of seems like magic when such a tape is shared. I'm glad folks are doing it, but yeah, I'm with you. Happy to watch from the sidelines.

Guess you can call me a dark wizard of IEM taping.

[opsopcopolis]

I wish I had the patience to figure out IEM taping. Even beyond using it for show taping, I'm always fascinated hearing people's IEM mixes and comparing them to mine

[Scooter123]

It is ridiculously expensive, because the packs run close to $900 each new if you can find them presently, and one needs a number of ranges.  You can start off pretty easy with a DR2d and a couple packs in different ranges.  Presently Shure seems to winning the marketing battle with touring bands.  A J8 and G10 plus a Dr2d and you are set.  The DR2d, while obsolete, remains the king of IEM taping, simply because it can tape two sources and can be easily stealthed and there is no need to time synchronize the two sources, a single IEM + an Audience source. 

[moondust.and.solitude]

It is ridiculously expensive, because the packs run close to $900 each new if you can find them presently, and one needs a number of ranges.  You can start off pretty easy with a DR2d and a couple packs in different ranges.  Presently Shure seems to winning the marketing battle with touring bands.  A J8 and G10 plus a Dr2d and you are set.  The DR2d, while obsolete, remains the king of IEM taping, simply because it can tape two sources and can be easily stealthed and there is no need to time synchronize the two sources, a single IEM + an Audience source.

The DR2D was so far ahead of the curve. I wish Tascam would bring it back. I regret selling the two I had.

[morst]

It is ridiculously expensive, because the packs run close to $900 each new if you can find them presently, and one needs a number of ranges.  You can start off pretty easy with a DR2d and a couple packs in different ranges.  Presently Shure seems to winning the marketing battle with touring bands.  A J8 and G10 plus a Dr2d and you are set.  The DR2d, while obsolete, remains the king of IEM taping, simply because it can tape two sources and can be easily stealthed and there is no need to time synchronize the two sources, a single IEM + an Audience source.

the new Shure digital systems can encrypt transmission, which I think would shut down "free" access

[hoserama]

It is ridiculously expensive, because the packs run close to $900 each new if you can find them presently, and one needs a number of ranges.  You can start off pretty easy with a DR2d and a couple packs in different ranges.  Presently Shure seems to winning the marketing battle with touring bands.  A J8 and G10 plus a Dr2d and you are set.  The DR2d, while obsolete, remains the king of IEM taping, simply because it can tape two sources and can be easily stealthed and there is no need to time synchronize the two sources, a single IEM + an Audience source.

the new Shure digital systems can encrypt transmission, which I think would shut down "free" access

They don't have the digital system for IEMs, just wireless mics/instruments. Whether that's coming for IEMs remains to be seen (likely just a matter of time)