Topic: Where would you stand?

[ideal77dlr]

Taping Ste@lth, CA-14s, CA1900, Edirol R09HR...any thoughts on ideal position/method??

[OOK]

as absolutely close to center as possible.  Ideally however wide the speakers are you want to be within that range from the stage, dead center.  example if the speakers are 50' apart you want to be between 20 and 50' from the stage dead center.

OOK

[ideal77dlr]

Thanks. 

[su6oxone]

I would try to be about 15-20' from the stage/speakers, and as close to DFC (center) as possible.  But in this kind of crowd it may get very chatty, in which case you'll probably be best served by getting closer to the speakers and maybe even 'stack taping.' 

[jlykos]

I would say that it depends.  If the band uses a stereo mix, you would want to be as close to center as possible so that you form the point of an equilateral triangle with the stacks (or even a bit closer if you desire).  If the band uses a mono mix, you may want to consider planting yourself in front of one of the stacks, as close as you can get, and taping from there because the stereo effects won't matter.

Personally, I like to enjoy the concert while I tape it so I would be in the camp of people who would want to stand in the center of the place, regardless of the type of mix that the PA system outputs.

[Aladar]

Theoretical question:
Many people say it's best to stand directly in front of mixing desk - what if the mixing desk is all the way to the side of the venue?

[printguy]

Theoretical question:
Many people say it's best to stand directly in front of mixing desk - what if the mixing desk is all the way to the side of the venue?

They say to be in front of the board not because it is the ideal position relative to the speakers but because the guy who is mixing the sound is mixing from that position and what he hears from there. It also creates a safety zone from people pushing their way to the front from behind you.

[Aladar]

They say to be in front of the board not because it is the ideal position relative to the speakers but because the guy who is mixing the sound is mixing from that position and what he hears from there. It also creates a safety zone from people pushing their way to the front from behind you.

Yep, I know. That's why I'm asking, so it's either "best" sound or best balance?

[ideal77dlr]

Thanks guys.

Obviously since it's stealth I'd go more or less 'A-B'....should I aim to use a different config if I stack taped?

[yltfan]

I'd go with depends. It depends on how chatty the crowd is, and where it sounds best. I don't see much pointing in to the center, so if you go for DFC, I'd want to make sure you're far enough back to get the pa. 15-20 feet might be a little close, imho. I'd have a listen during the opener, move back and forth a little in the center, see what it sounds like.

Also, are your mics cards or omnis? What kind of music, and how loud do you expect it?

[jb63]

That's a lot of good advice.

Those are exactly the kind of situations I used to find myself in, and the worst part was always having to move just a little bit to avoid screamer A or whistler B.

I would line myself up with one of the stacks, about 30 feet or less. I usually prefer the right one for some reason, but it only really matters if people are coming in from one side or another. I try to get a stereo capture of stack, using my head (or something) to guarantee that I get it in stereo.

Since I usually end up moving back a bit, I usually start at about 20 feet away and have to bring up the levels a bit for each foot traveled.

Good Luck!

[M]

Tapers already know where to be.

If you are new, it is to all of our benefit that you figure it out offline.

We should know better...

[Diamonds]

Tapers already know where to be.

If you are new, it is to all of our benefit that you figure it out offline.

We should know better...

Even though some low-pro terms have been used in this thread, I believe this information
is both relevant to open and not so open taping methods.

I appreciate everyone's advice even though they might "know better" than some of the new
hobbyists here. 

There is a wealth of knowledge on these forums, and I thank everyone here for contributing,
especially the majority of people who are not as arrogant to their approach.

[acidjack]

As others have said... but I guess I'd add some opinions...

1. True, if you're DFC you can actually enjoy the concert -- also the orientation of your body will seem less weird, since for stack taping, well...

2. That said, especially in a less-than-ideal situation (stealth, outdoors, amphitheater-looking thing), I find that sometimes the old stack tape sounds best.  For one thing, you have the most direct sound, which will drown out the most of people talking.  Part of this depends on your general taste in recordings.  Some folks like the 'stereo image' and to 'hear it the way it sounded' more than others do... others like more direct sound.  It's a bit like the difference in people who really love hypers and people who don't, in some ways. 

Personally, if  were running open and I could get a good 10+ ft up, then I absolutely would say DFC, etc.  But that's not the situation you are in.  IMHO most venues like that sound so poor to begin with, I'd probably rather listen to a stack tape.  But that will make it tougher to um, see the concert, and make you a bit more obvious.  And you may not prefer the stack sound.