Topic: taper's guide

[DCDireWolf]

I'm surprised that in this day and age of desktop publishing and everyone having a book out, that no one has written a taper's guide to taping. 

You can find a large handful of books on sound engineering, music business, how to run sound for a band, etc., but to date, no enterprising taper has written a book about what people on this board do.

I think as a book explaining a culture, and as a how-to type book, a cheaply published guide could make some dough.

These are the kinds of thoughts that come to me at 11:00 am on a Monday on my first cup of coffee and no breakfast.

[John Kelly]

Actually one was written.
http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=4237.0

[DCDireWolf]

Yeah yeah, i knew some smartass was going to refer me to that.   

Peace.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Better a Smart Ass than a Dumb Ass.

T

[marc0789]

the new stereo soundbook isn't bad. you get the techy stuff, not "how to get away with Phish Fob", but tells you a lot about patterns, reflections, configs., etc.

[DCDireWolf]

I have the Yamaha sound system handbook.  It's a few years old now (like 10), but it seems to be very good.

[Humbug]

Sod making money - why not start a project to put everything together in chapter format:

Introduction (by someone phamous and pro-taping)

Chapter 1: So you wanna be a taper?
Chapter 2: Equipment choice (with user ratings, suitability for stealth or open taping, approx cost etc)
Chapter 3: Being nice to tapers (patching)
Chapter 4: Being nice to soundmen (SBD)
Chapter 5: How to pick the sweet spot
Chapter 6: The Audience (subtitle: your biggest enemy and your friends)
Chapter 7: Matrix techniques
Chapter 8: The future (24 bit etc)
Chapter 9: Mastering
Chapter 10: Spread that recording!
 
Appendix 1: Stories from the field
Appendix 2: History of 'bootlegging' and how it became live taping

Index

And then just print it out and GIVE it to people?

How about it guys?

[jpschust]

id love to do it, however i ain't doin it for free :-)  the quantity of work it takes to build something like that is just too much for me to do it out of the goodness of my heart, but i have a large background in editing, writing, page layout- you name it in the publishing field chances are i've done it at some point.

[Brian Skalinder]

Sod making money - why not start a project to put everything together in chapter format:
[snip]
How about it guys?

Sounds great!  Thanks for volunteering - when can we expect the finished product?

[DCDireWolf]

It seems to me that the text, or at least a ton of it, could be written here, with a lot of member's contributions,an evolving thing like this forum already exists as, then it would be like a giant FAQ, add the parts that need outside folks added in, and then published.  Bam.

[Brian Skalinder]

It seems to me that the text, or at least a ton of it, could be written here, with a lot of member's contributions,an evolving thing like this forum already exists as, then it would be like a giant FAQ, add the parts that need outside folks added in, and then published.  Bam.

Sounds great!  Thanks for volunteering to author chapters and coordinate volunteers - when can we expect the finished product?

[DCDireWolf]

well, it's going to be quite an undertaking (as your sarcasm indicates ), but i'm happy to coordinate postings and manage volunteers and what not.  I don't feel comfortable contributing content because I'm a total newb and frankly just don't know much. 

[Sanjay]

I know that I am rather new at this, but I might be willing to spearhead a project like this and edit this.... Granted I would need alot of help from people around here as I don't know much some of the more technical aspects.  I guess I could use something to keep myself busy. 

[Humbug]

Hmm...at least I've got you guys thinking.

Brian if you honestly think that this type of collaboration would not work, then fine, but my guess is that a lot of the tapers here would be prepared to contribute time and information to this.

I guess the hard part would be coordinating the info received and resolving disputes.

I don't have a huge amount of experience either, but in my field, which is stealth taping, I could probably write a few paragraphs.

[Brian Skalinder]

Brian if you honestly think that this type of collaboration would not work, then fine, but my guess is that a lot of the tapers here would be prepared to contribute time and information to this.

Yeah, I'm sarcastic and cynical.    IME, lots of people proclaim their willinginess to help with such initiatives.  In practice, very, very few follow through.  Generally speaking, I find the only time something like this gets done is if one person takes the ball and runs with it - and I don't see anyone running.   

[Sanjay]

Brian if you honestly think that this type of collaboration would not work, then fine, but my guess is that a lot of the tapers here would be prepared to contribute time and information to this.

Yeah, I'm sarcastic and cynical.    IME, lots of people proclaim their willinginess to help with such initiatives.  In practice, very, very few follow through.  Generally speaking, I find the only time something like this gets done is if one person takes the ball and runs with it - and I don't see anyone running.   

alright i'll take the ball and run with it, it'll be out of town a bit this week and next but i will be happy to do it.  Should I start a thread seeking input for different parts of it?  I wouldn't want to copy straight out of the faq, and besides thats prob not enough.

[DCDireWolf]

I think the first step is to decide on a chapter structure, whether we want to go with Humbug's great suggestion without altering it, or put it up for discussion and tweak it.  Once we've got basic agreement on chapter layout, we can divide up the work by chapters to make sure that one or two people aren't burdened with all the work.

My two cents.

[Humbug]

A few random thoughts:

-keeping it free will make it easier to get contributions from people / permission from external websites etc

-Set up a separate sub forum on here with the following format:

Chapter 1 - Draft (moderator only)
Chapter 1 - Contributions (open to anyone)
etc

A moderator is assigned for each chapter, or multiple chapter, and is responsible for monitoring contributions and making the draft.

-By the way the chapters in my message above were only a suggestion.

I have been involved with a project like this before - I am partially responsible for setting up and maintaining a setlist database.

Is this too complicated?

[Sanjay]

It might be better to have one person organizing the layout and putting the final pieces together and one in charge of each section, that way the people with expertise oversee the individual parts and then one person is putting it together to maintain continuity.

[DCDireWolf]

-Set up a separate sub forum on here with the following format:

Chapter 1 - Draft (moderator only)
Chapter 1 - Contributions (open to anyone)
etc

A moderator is assigned for each chapter, or multiple chapter, and is responsible for monitoring contributions and making the draft.

This sounds about right.  I hereby volunteer to moderate for a non, or less, technical chapter. 

[Brian]

Skalinder ...... don't be hating

[Sanjay]

I will volunteer to put it together for continuity and such and moderate a lesser chapter if needed. 

[Sanjay]

here is a layout I came up with:  I just modified the one that was posted earlier, let me know what you think.  I think if we had one mod in charge of each chapter and possibly subchapter and some person contributing a piece on their particular set of mics it would be good.

Intro by someone pro-taping (I have an idea but i'm not sure if i can pull it off)

Chapter 1: So you wanna be a taper?  mod:____________
Chapter 2: General definitions, basic stuff to know, taper friendly bands, stealth vs. open, bootlegging vs.taping.  mod:____________
Chapter 3: Equipment choice (Based upon level of $ to spend, discuss beginner rigs, with user ratings, suitability for stealth or open taping, approx cost etc)  mod:____________
   subchapter: mics (I would like to see users of different mics writing a paragraph or two, w/ or without pictures discussing how they like each one)
   subchapter: decks (same deal as above)
   subchapter: preamps and phantom power (same deal as above)
   subchapter: cables
   subchapter: stands, t-bars, ect.
Chapter 4: Being nice to tapers (patching)  mod:   yemncsu
Chapter 5: Being nice to soundmen (SBD)  mod:____________
Chapter 6: Technique (How to pick the sweet spot, mic configuration, levels, monitoring, troubleshooting)  mod: S_TL-Taper   Assistant mod:____________
   subchapter: how to find the sweet spot
   subchapter: mic configurations
   subchapter: setting your levels and monitoring
   subchapter: troubleshooting: what to do when something goes wrong
   Chapter 7: The Audience (subtitle: your biggest enemy and your friends)
Chapter 8: How to stealth a recording  mod:____________
Chapter 9: Matrix techniques  mod:____________
Chapter 10: The future (24 bit etc)  mod:____________
Chapter 11: Mastering (discuss different software and the basic do's and don'ts when mastering a recording  mod:____________
Chapter 12: Spread that recording!   mod:____________
   subchapter: shn
   subchapter: flac
   subchapter: bittorrent
   subchapter: web resources to spread recordings (archive.org, bt.etree.org, sharingthegroove(not the most popular choice)

Appendix 1: Stories from the field  mod:____________
Appendix 2: History of 'bootlegging' and how it became live taping  mod:____________
Appendix 3: Equipment mods and Taper DIY (description of how to mod equipment (digimod ua-5, gain knobs on the dmic, NJB3 batts, ect)  mod:____________
Appendix 4: Archival and storage information.  mod:____________

[yemncsu]

Id be willing to throw in a few hours on this.  I could help with almost anything except for stealth recording.

Josh

[DMaCATO]

I wouldn't mind helping out if there is anywhere I can fit in. I think being a newbie to the taping scene is very fun and exciting. I am getting ready to make my own cables so I could help out in that area. I will be documenting the whole project here at work with digitals.

I am also going to mod the UA-5. I don't have any other experience, but let me know. I think this is a great idea, it took me forever searching through the old threads/FAQ's to find all the info I needed.

Drew.

[Brian Skalinder]

Alright, no more hating.    Looks likea good start, everyone...keep it up! 

[Sanjay]

Id be willing to throw in a few hours on this.  I could help with almost anything except for stealth recording.

Josh

well find an area that you like or wouldn't mind researching and lemme know

I wouldn't mind helping out if there is anywhere I can fit in. I think being a newbie to the taping scene is very fun and exciting. I am getting ready to make my own cables so I could help out in that area. I will be documenting the whole project here at work with digitals.

I am also going to mod the UA-5. I don't have any other experience, but let me know. I think this is a great idea, it took me forever searching through the old threads/FAQ's to find all the info I needed.

Drew.

would you be comforatable writing about either shn, flac, or bit-torrent?

[yemncsu]

If it were my choice, I would like Chapter 2,3,4,6, or 10.

Josh

[Sanjay]

If it were my choice, I would like Chapter 2,3,4,6, or 10.

Josh

i just picked a random number out of a hat, so how does chapter 4 sound?

[Brian]

excellent stuff guys , +t's all around.  I'll chime in whereever I can or where people want me too.  like an editor or something, you know, to make sure that what is being added is actually correct   or is that what you're doing? hell i don't know, just let me know where i can help!

[Sanjay]

excellent stuff guys , +t's all around.  I'll chime in whereever I can or where people want me too.  like an editor or something, you know, to make sure that what is being added is actually correct   or is that what you're doing? hell i don't know, just let me know where i can help!

would you be interested in modding one of the bigger sections such as equipment or technique

[Brian]

sure.  can i have an assistant mod since those topics are pretty extensive.  i'll take the technique section.  the equipment section will need a lot of independent input because while i know what all the gear is i certainly can't give comments on their sound if i've never ran it or heard much of it.  technique shouldn't be too tough though. pretty straight forward.

[yemncsu]

If it were my choice, I would like Chapter 2,3,4,6, or 10.

Josh

i just picked a random number out of a hat, so how does chapter 4 sound?

cool with me.  +T for the good start.
Josh

[Sanjay]

done, and i'm gonna make signups a seperate thread i think so people dont have to hunt down to the second page

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=23767.0

[jpschust]

a few layout suggestions.  first- everyone write in 12 point times new roman.  its on every machine.  second- i know this sounds silly, keep everything uniform.  that means 2 spaces between a period and the first letter of a sentence, correct grammar usage, complete sentences, etc.  third- have someone else read your stuff before you turn it in.  ive got a lot more advice on putting together a manual, but im sure if you guys need some help you will come asking :-P

[Sanjay]

a few layout suggestions.  first- everyone write in 12 point times new roman.  its on every machine.  second- i know this sounds silly, keep everything uniform.  that means 2 spaces between a period and the first letter of a sentence, correct grammar usage, complete sentences, etc.  third- have someone else read your stuff before you turn it in.  ive got a lot more advice on putting together a manual, but im sure if you guys need some help you will come asking :-P

thanks, would you mind if I pmed you from time to time with advice on putting this together then?  and what software would you use to make a book?  Plain microsoft word or other parts.  I would like to include pictures if possible and at the end make it a pdf for download, or to have it made into an actual hard copy

[jpschust]

When putting it together I use Adobe InDesign.  It is a very difficult program to master, but very very powerful.  It will allow you to convert over to pdf however.  It will also allow you to make a hard copy.  Feel free to pm me or contact me on AIM at SardonicWooer for any advice you may need.  I've been managing editor and EIC and virtually every other job inbetween for a number of publications.  I can advise on all aspects of it.

[Sanjay]

gracias, +T when i come back from vacation i'll put it on my laptop and start learning it, it shouldn't be too hard to master i can figure out most things pretty easy when i comes to computers.

[jpschust]

you NEED a book for this.  this isnt something you are gonna figure out on your own unless you have a lot of desktop publishing experience.

[Sanjay]

you NEED a book for this.  this isnt something you are gonna figure out on your own unless you have a lot of desktop publishing experience.

hmm well i didn't think it was that hard, well no matter i can snag a book or two from the comp sci dept where i work at school

[jpschust]

yah, its a very deep program.  also good to have a familiarity with desktop publishing terms- things like kerning, tracking, etc. 

[greenone]

Hey guys... I work at a small publishing company, and am an editor/proofreader by trade. The head guy in our design department is a huge Panic fan and right now we're at a bit of a lull in things, so I might be able to talk him into helping with layout and design. I'm also more than willing to review the whole thing for grammar, spelling, etc., as needed. If DMaCATO hasn't tackled the shn/flac/torrent thing, I can take that on, as well as write a paragraph on my mics since nobody else runs them...

--Dave