Topic: How to tape a live album?

[jppearson]

Hi,

How are live albums taped?  What equipment was used for stuff like a Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison album? 

Was the mic output hooked up to a recorder through the mixing board? 

What would work best to tape, a set of binaural mics or an audience recording, or a soundboard tape line-in/out tape?  I have a Zoom H2 and am looking for a set of decent binaural mics. 

Would you reccomend Church audio or Core-Sound as better ones? 

How about a set of large stereo mics?  What mics do you reccommend for studio use? 

[TNJazz]

These questions are like asking an artist the following questions:

What's better - oil, watercolor or latex paints?

Is it better to paint on wood, paper or canvas?

What is the best color to use when painting?

There are no definitive answers to your questions.  If you asked 10 different people they might all give you completely different answers.

As for live albums, most are recorded multitrack (16 or more channels) and mixed in post.  Very few live records are made with just one or two mics, especially these days.  That's not to say it CAN'T be done, but it's not something that can be easily accomplished without many years of practice and experience.

Not sure of the equipment for the Folsom Prison album, but I believe it was recorded direct to 4 track on reels?  I don't think it was recorded straight to 2, but I'm not sure.

[Belexes]

Would you reccomend Church audio or Core-Sound as better ones?

[edgar]

As for live albums, most are recorded multitrack (16 or more channels) and mixed in post.  Very few live records are made with just one or two mics, especially these days.  That's not to say it CAN'T be done, but it's not something that can be easily accomplished without many years of practice and experience.

very well stated!

+1

[sunjan]

I have a Zoom H2 and am looking for a set of decent binaural mics. 

Would you reccomend Church audio or Core-Sound as better ones? 

How about a set of large stereo mics?  What mics do you reccommend for studio use? 

I noticed that you already posted this as a separate question- Try not to crosspost, it's better to keep all relevant answers in one thread.

Search the forum here for opinions on Church vs CSB, both have their proponents.
If you go for Church, I think he makes a model with switchable caps, which is a big advantage if you want to run cards occasionally.

[NOLAfishwater]

what is your budget? do you have protools or comparable software? are you planning on marketing the recording? if so, then you would want to consider a multitrack recording like TNJazz has advised. Good luck. If you are just looking to record a show for your enjoyment, then I would recommend the Church Audio microphones over Core. Check out his new line of Cardiod and Omnis. Just listened to a sample with the omnis that blew me away.

[edgar]

how come noone ever mentions Sound Professionals?

Chris manufactures and sells some fine products, has extraordinarily quick turnaround time, and is always incredibly attentive to customer needs (and I'm speaking here from my own personal experiences...5+ years dealing with them, andI have no desire to spend elsewhere).