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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: eric51078 on March 17, 2008, 09:33:05 AM

Title: Front Row recording help
Post by: eric51078 on March 17, 2008, 09:33:05 AM
Any tips, tricks, advice recording from front row?
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: Church-Audio on March 17, 2008, 09:34:37 AM
Any tips, tricks, advice recording from front row?

Yeah dont let the band see your mics.
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: eric51078 on March 17, 2008, 09:40:54 AM
Yeah. I am more concerned about the the Edirol because part of the show is during the day and part is at night. The night time portion I am not so concerned about. I have been to this venue before and from what I remember the 2 main speakers are on the left and the right. So that poses another question. Where am I pointing the mics? At the stage? I have recorded there before but from 19 rows back.
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: Craig T on March 17, 2008, 09:48:28 AM
find someone in a better location for recording who will trade tickets/seats with you.  shouldn't be too difficult with a front row seat.
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: Dede2002 on March 17, 2008, 09:52:36 AM
Yeah. I am more concerned about the the Edirol because part of the show is during the day and part is at night. The night time portion I am not so concerned about. I have been to this venue before and from what I remember the 2 main speakers are on the left and the right. So that poses another question. Where am I pointing the mics? At the stage? I have recorded there before but from 19 rows back.

On front row there's not much you can do ( mic positioning ). Point the mics straight ahead. But appreciate the fact that you're going to capture lots of stage volume but less vocals.
Good luck and try to enjoy the show. ;)
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: eric51078 on March 17, 2008, 09:56:21 AM
Yeah. I am more concerned about the the Edirol because part of the show is during the day and part is at night. The night time portion I am not so concerned about. I have been to this venue before and from what I remember the 2 main speakers are on the left and the right. So that poses another question. Where am I pointing the mics? At the stage? I have recorded there before but from 19 rows back.

On front row there's not much you can do ( mic positioning ). Point the mics straight ahead. But appreciate the fact that you're going to capture lots of stage volume but less vocals.
Good luck and try to enjoy the show. ;)



That is exactly what I thought! Front row = less vocals.
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: eric51078 on March 17, 2008, 09:57:04 AM
find someone in a better location for recording who will trade tickets/seats with you.  shouldn't be too difficult with a front row seat.

I have a friend going with me and he has 11th row. Might be safer to switch.
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: Belexes on March 17, 2008, 10:05:27 AM
Switch if you can, but if not some venues give the folks up front a "courtesy" wedge on the stage lip to help with the sound at that location.
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: eric51078 on March 17, 2008, 10:09:23 AM
Switch if you can, but if not some venues give the folks up front a "courtesy" wedge on the stage lip to help with the sound at that location.


Well I am smack dab in the center so I figured I would check it out for the first band and see how it is and then switch if needed.
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: sunjan on March 18, 2008, 07:48:06 AM
On front row there's not much you can do ( mic positioning ). Point the mics straight ahead. But appreciate the fact that you're going to capture lots of stage volume but less vocals.

Run omnis or subcards if you have interchangeable caps.
Assuming you're stealthing: The R-09 doesn't have a remote control, otherwise it would have been useful. Start the recording in the restroom, or have it paused within hand's reach.
Check your levels only when security is facing the other way ;-)

/J
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: Dede2002 on March 18, 2008, 10:12:57 AM
On front row there's not much you can do ( mic positioning ). Point the mics straight ahead. But appreciate the fact that you're going to capture lots of stage volume but less vocals.

Run omnis or subcards if you have interchangeable caps.
Assuming you're stealthing: The R-09 doesn't have a remote control, otherwise it would have been useful. Start the recording in the restroom, or have it paused within hand's reach.
Check your levels only when security is facing the other way ;-)

/J

By all means ;D
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: eric51078 on March 18, 2008, 03:13:45 PM
Thanks for all the advice. I actually thought about turning the AGC on and just "winging it" instead of having to worry about the levels. Any thoughts on using the AGC?
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: Belexes on March 18, 2008, 04:49:43 PM
Any thoughts on using the AGC?

Yes, don't.  ;)

Just set your levels low so there is no fear of clipping and massage the gain up to where you want it.  Gotta use your ninja skills when you are that up front, but it can be done!
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: Nick's Picks on March 18, 2008, 04:57:25 PM
XY !!!!
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: eric51078 on March 19, 2008, 10:28:37 AM
Any thoughts on using the AGC?

Yes, don't.  ;)

Just set your levels low so there is no fear of clipping and massage the gain up to where you want it.  Gotta use your ninja skills when you are that up front, but it can be done!


Well the only reason I asked and I understand if you throw something at me is....I bought the Edirol last year after using a Sony MD for many many many years. My mics are great and I love them but I don't love changing the volume. Out of 10 shows last year I still couldn't get the volume right. So I actually started using the MD again to avoid having to fiddle with volume when recording.
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: Belexes on March 19, 2008, 11:05:11 AM
Any thoughts on using the AGC?

Yes, don't.  ;)

Just set your levels low so there is no fear of clipping and massage the gain up to where you want it.  Gotta use your ninja skills when you are that up front, but it can be done!


Well the only reason I asked and I understand if you throw something at me is....I bought the Edirol last year after using a Sony MD for many many many years. My mics are great and I love them but I don't love changing the volume. Out of 10 shows last year I still couldn't get the volume right. So I actually started using the MD again to avoid having to fiddle with volume when recording.

<sets rock down>  ;)

By volume you actually mean the gain control for the mics.  For me, I like levels to peak around -6 dB to -3dB and I don't think that's a sure thing when using ACG.  I believe ACG was developed for functions other than the live concert recordings that we do, so it really wasn't mean to suit our needs.

Manually setting the gain at the right level just takes practice and you'll be a pro before long. Obviously, it's tougher to do when you are front row and security may be on top of you, but it can be done.

I once recorded shoulder to shoulder with a county deputy and he had no idea what was going on and unknowingly was an excellent blocker.  You gotta love the Barney Fife's.
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: johnnyb on March 19, 2008, 11:07:33 AM
front row equals picking up more stage monitor then pa
Title: Re: Front Row recording help
Post by: Belexes on March 19, 2008, 11:18:32 AM
front row equals picking up more stage monitor then pa

And that's if there are stage monitors.  Some bands have a "quiet" stage using in-ear monitors.  If you are front row with one of these bands and don't at the very minimum have a courtesy wedge on the lip pointed at you, I'd put my gear away and enjoy the show.  There's no hope unless you are able to position yourself farther back, center.