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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: scangle on February 13, 2012, 07:49:48 AM
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I received a Tascam-DR-05 as a gift and want to tape my first show. I have read the instructions with the device. I could use some advice on how to proceed. Thanks.
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Can you be more specific on what the advice is that you're looking for?
My best advice is to become familiar with how your device functions, which buttons to push and when, recommended settings and do SEVERAL practice runs in front of a sound source such as a stereo speaker, live band etc... Everyone can give you specific advice but experience is the best teacher.
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My further advice would be:
- Read the stickies at the top of this page. Also, scan the last few pages of posts in this forum - you will find a lot of the basic beginner questions already answered.
- Acquire external mics and a power supply that is within your budget, as this will greatly improve the quality of your recordings. What are you trying to record?
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Get an 8GB (or bigger) card for it, don't lose the one that came with it because you'll need it for software upgrades. Turn off any limiter and compression when recording (you can add that later if desired). Set it to record at 24 bit and 44.1 or 48kHz. 24 bit allows you to run a more modest recording level then amplify it later in post production. Higher sampling rates are great but eat up storage space. Those are basics.
Running external mics, positioning the mics, et.c are more detailed topics and specific to certain circumstances. You will want to get the mics into "clear air" and away from unwanted noise. In other words, you want nothing to block the sound between the source and the mics or it may sound muffled and you want the mics away from loud drunks. Investing in a stand or some sort of mounting device helps and keeps you from adding handling noise into the mix. You can get extra gear as needed along the way. Check the "Yard Sale" here for some great deals on quality used gear.
You'll need an audio editing program. Audacity is free and works. Other people prefer other apps, some really cheap, some not.
Read, experiment, read some more, try again. Don't get discouraged. Ask questions here when they come up.
One other factor, does the band want to be recorded? Some do, some don't. Asking is the polite way to go but some bands are known to be ok with it. Others are known to not be taper friendly. The venue also has a say in taping.
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Well, I not a long-time taper, but anyway...
Few things which I found very important for myself:
1) always record 24 bit
2) always archive your original master (unedited) files in case that you can make a mistake with post-processing or may want to remaster them few years later
3) don't be afraid running your record levels too low. It's better to be safe, than suddenly get overload. And if you record 24 bit it's easy to boost levels on PC (or Mac ;-) ).
4) figure out settings for "clapping threshold" (as I call it) on your equipment. It's the highest level on your recorder which won't give you overload anyhow with loud hand clapping (or possibly screaming) in front of your mics. I always use this level on shows where crowd is louder than music. And I almost never use level higher than that (only for nature or at home).
5) use limiter or compressor on applause if applause is louder than music (in your software of course). And don't use limiter/compressor on recorder.
Good luck.
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I received a Tascam-DR-05 as a gift and want to tape my first show. I have read the instructions with the device. I could use some advice on how to proceed. Thanks.
I would say get some inexpensive, small, external mics that terminate into a stereo plug that you can run with the dr-05 and see if taping is something you want to do. That way you don't have too much invested but can still make some recordings.
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My advice would be to stick around taperssection and read the answers to the question you ask instead of registering to ask a question and then never visiting the site again. ::) ::)
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My advice would be to stick around taperssection and read the answers to the question you ask instead of registering to ask a question and then never visiting the site again. ::) ::)
^^^
+1. Many of the answers your looking for have been answered many times in these parts (I know I've chimed in more than enough on this). :D
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......where's the post suggesting the purchase of a pair of schoeps and/or a sonosax? :-\
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......where's the post suggesting the purchase of a pair of schoeps and/or a sonosax? :-\
AWESOME. >:D
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......where's the post suggesting the purchase of a pair of schoeps and/or a sonosax? :-\
Good advice. I'd suggest Schoeps NBox plus active cables but we are just debating which kind of Porsche is more fun to drive ;D
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......where's the post suggesting the purchase of a pair of schoeps and/or a sonosax? :-\
AWESOME. >:D
Don't forget the Sound Devices or Nagra recorder. ;D
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......where's the post suggesting the purchase of a pair of schoeps and/or a sonosax? :-\
AWESOME. >:D
Don't forget the Sound Devices or Nagra recorder. ;D
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......where's the post suggesting the purchase of a pair of schoeps and/or a sonosax? :-\
Good advice. I'd suggest Schoeps NBox plus active cables but we are just debating which kind of Porsche is more fun to drive ;D
I've driven more Porsches than probably anyone on the Tapersection. Mics however are another story. I was a Porsche mechanic for almost 20 years, now I'm poor.
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My advice would be to stick around taperssection and read the answers to the question you ask instead of registering to ask a question and then never visiting the site again. ::) ::)
That is very frustrating!