Topic: mic equipment advice needed

[pablo]

Hi,

First post here so hello tapers!! 

I've had an iriver H140 for a few years and now want to put it to use other than listening to music.  My aim is to get the best recordings possible of mainly tabla solo concerts but also other indian classical music events.  They are seated events, usually in a small theatre or even a large concert hall.  I'm sure most of you will be familiar with the tablas but in case you're not, the tabla is an indian percussion instrument.  To give you an idea: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As1OMMcHXFs

As you can hear from that short clip, it can be played very quietly but also very explosively! 

Today i did a little recording with a cheap maplin mike, Yoga EM-8 (SkyTronic 173.623) - please don't scoff as this is my first venture into recording since my trusty sony WMD6C was stolen many moons ago!  Needless to say, even though the sound from the small theatre wasn't the best, the recording reasonable but not fantastic in relation to what i was hearing.  It sound like it's raining during quiet/silent sequences.

So, i am looking for the necessary equipment to partner the iriver to get the best recording possible, within fiscal reason.  I've done a little search and some members are getting good results with Church Audio equipment, namely the STC9000 and CA11.  However, that seemed to be with mainstream concert recordings.

Could you please advise me on a good setup for this type of recording?

Also any tips on recording techniques would be much appreciated.

[boojum]

Percussion is always difficult for the reasons you outlined: wide dynamic range.  Get the best you can afford.  You will be buying them eventually, so why not now?

I cannot recommend mics as I do not know your budget,

[rowjimmytour]

I think board member moke might be able to help you here. Maybe you can pm him the above question and see what he says. Good luck and welcome aboard.
PEace

[pablo]

Thanks for replying so quickly.

Get the best you can afford.  You will be buying them eventually, so why not now?
I cannot recommend mics as I do not know your budget,

I'd be prepared to spend around £200 ($400) but i'd like to have some idea of the results i could achieve with setups of different budgets.

I think board member moke might be able to help you here. Maybe you can pm him the above question and see what he says. Good luck and welcome aboard.
PEace

Thanks for the welcome!  I'll send moke a pm.  In the meantime, any more input is welcome.
 

[rowjimmytour]

Thanks for replying so quickly.

Get the best you can afford.  You will be buying them eventually, so why not now?
I cannot recommend mics as I do not know your budget,

I'd be prepared to spend around £200 ($400) but i'd like to have some idea of the results i could achieve with setups of different budgets.

I think board member moke might be able to help you here. Maybe you can pm him the above question and see what he says. Good luck and welcome aboard.
PEace

Thanks for the welcome!  I'll send moke a pm.  In the meantime, any more input is welcome.
 

One good way to hear different mics and set ups is going to livemusicarchive.org and and search for the mics, preamps, and recorders in your price range and hear for your self what you like.

[pablo]

OK will have a look at that site, thanks.

How do i go about PM'ing someone?  When i type the message and enter the verification code in both boxes, it just refreshes the page giving another verification code.

[rowjimmytour]

OK will have a look at that site, thanks.

How do i go about PM'ing someone?  When i type the message and enter the verification code in both boxes, it just refreshes the page giving another verification code.

Whoops I forgot you have to have 50 psot before you can pm some one!! I will pm moke for you so he can respond to your post.
Peace

[pablo]

Many thanks

[rastasean]

It should be noted the website for live music archive is:
http://www.archive.org/details/etree


Have you looked the Rode NT5 Pair? How close can you get to your source?

[pablo]

It should be noted the website for live music archive is:
http://www.archive.org/details/etree

Thanks.  Did struggle finding it but that's quite an incredible resource.

Have you looked the Rode NT5 Pair? How close can you get to your source?

Unfortunately not close enough to record the instrument directly.  Would be seated in the audience so source would be speaker sound.
That mic would probably be prohibitive for a stealth type recording.

[cybergaloot]

I don't know if this will suit you but since you have the money rather than go with Church's STC-9000 and CA-11, you might consider stepping up a bit to his CA-9100 (formerly STC-9100, same thing, new prefix) and his CA-14 mics. I tested his loaner pair of CA-14 cardioids and they sure sounded nice to me. That will still keep you in the low profile mode.