Topic: suggestions, help, and all that good stuff.

[Vally1978]

ok, so its getting close to the time where I will be taping quite a few shows for the first time.  Its my first real attempt, and it  will be stealth.  Now here are my questions, because well I am clueless as to what to set my MD recorder to for taping. 

I have a Sony MZR900.  If anyone is familiar with this thing what do I need to set for say a Sarah Mclachlan show.  Once it is on I don't plan on messing with it except to change the MD, because I will be down by the stage and dont want to get caught being my first time and all.  I will also have a battery box.

Any help is much appreciated.  Being female, and not wearing a hat I guess I will also need to get creative with how to wear these mics.  Any ideas on that?

Anything that you can all offer for a first timer is appreciated.  I would like to at least get one show that is bearable to listen to, haha.   I've been planning this for quite sometime now, soooo.

[Josephine]

Male or female ~ your best bet is to mount your mics inside a hat, but if you're hell bent on not wearing one . . . .

Check out these pictures Moke posted a while back of a custom headband he constructed: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=22088.0  You could acheive something very similar by using a headband, clipping your mics to each end and wearing it backwards (underneath your hair).  I've done it -- it works fine.

I've also clipped my mics to the outside of my purse and then propped the purse as high as I could get it to sit in my lap.

Whatever you decide -- GOOD LUCK !!




 

[Vally1978]

So can anyone help me out with the settings for my MD?  I am taping a show tomorrow....
Pleaseeeee. 

[pfife]

can you adjust the levels on the fly on that?  If not, I'd set them pretty low to ensure no peaking...

[Vally1978]

Nah, can't adjust them like that.....what levels am I adjusting to set low?  I am sounding really stupid asking all these questions, but I have no idea what I am supposed to even set on this thing.

[Simp-Dawg]

rtfm....read the fucking manual

seriously, i bet the manual for your md will have information on how to set levels while recording.  either that or do a search for the model here or on the 'net and see what you can find. 

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Try simulating the loudness of the show on your home stereo and setting the levels there. Then when you get to the venue you should have them at least close to what they should be at.

Just to be safe, I suggest setting them to peak around -8, and then you can boost your levels in post production. Just make sure you don't set them too low or there will be some hiss from boosting the levels.

MIKE B

[Vally1978]

ok this is my problem...I don't know where I go to turn the levels on this MD.  I have looked through the manual, and online, and I have been through the menu a million times looking for how to set levels, but with no luck, where is it damnit!? 

[Jammin72]

OK

Here are some things to think about.

Here's the Link to the Manual in case you can't locate yours.

http://minidisc.org/manuals/sony/sony_mzr900_manual.pdf

I'm assuming you're recording from mics. 

First off if you're using mics into the recorder directly  (IE no battery box) then you'll want to se the mic sesitivity to Low.

The steps for that are on Pg 25 of the manual.

Second unless you feel comfortable working with setting the levels I would stick with the AGC it really isn't that bad in concerts unless you have folks close by doing a lot of clapping or yelling in which case they tend to react to that immediate sound.

How to adust the levels manually is on Pg 27 of the manual.   These recorders do not allow you to set the levels while the disc is actually recording!  So you'll have to do this with an opening band or during sound check.  Once again until you get a ballpark feel for your mics at concerts you may wish to go  with the AGC.  Practice on shows that aren't that important to you.  It's better to come home with a recording that isn't exactly perfect rather than one that is unuseable!

The manual seems to be locked in adobe otherwise I'd cut and paste the directions for you!

Good Luck and Have Fun!

[Vally1978]

Ok, what is AGC?  AND thanks so much for taking the time to reply with all this info!  Its very much appreciated. 

[Jammin72]

AGC stand for Automaitc Gain Control  so the AutoREC setting on the MD which will do the adjustment for you, this is the setting by default and the Menu Lever will get you access to it.  You'll see if you play with it.

Also get to know the recorder in the dark if you're doing a stealth type show because the display isn't backlit.  You'll either need to have a small unobstrusive lightsource  (A small LED keylight is great for this)  or feel confident that you got it into record when the lights go down.


BTW  playing your stereo at home will not come close to the sound you'll get at an actual show.

[Vally1978]

Ok, I found the how to do the manual recording, thanks for pointing it out to me.  I am not sure why I never found it in the manual. 

I will be using a "juice box" for my mics.  And it will be a stealth show, Rob Thomas....so there will be plenty of screaming fans, I am sure.  So manual may be the way to go this time? 

I really trying to practice for May when I see Sarah Mclachlan five times.  I want to at least get one good recording.

Thanks again.

[Jammin72]

Yep you'll want to give the manual setting a shot!  And pay off your neighbors with a beverage, promise of the show, their favorite goody, big hug, whatever you've got to do. 

Also there are LineIn and MicIn style battery boxes, do you know what type you're using?  That'll change the way you set up the recorder.

[Vally1978]

its a line in battery box

[Jammin72]

its a line in battery box

Then ignore my suggestion about the Mic Sensitivty setting and pulg in to th Line(Opt) input on your recorder and NOT the MicIn.

Good data