Topic: New Taper - Tascam DR-07 configuration/tips with internal mics

[jnl]

Hey! I've been reading this forum for a while, but this is my first post here.

I recently purchased my TASCAM DR-07 for recording some live concerts. Additionally, i also bought the Church-Audio STC-9000 stereo cardioid microphone system. However, Chris is still building it so i don't have it yet. Anyway, there are some concerts in my city during these days so I would like to try the recorder with the internal mics. I know the sound won't come out very good, but i would like to take the best of it. I'm going to some rock concerts, not very loud, but def with amplified instruments (Bill Callahan, Camera Obscura, ...).

So, what configurations do you suggest for recording in these conditions? And any recording tips?

Thanks in advance

[acidjack]

Won't be terribly easy unless you can run open (which you should be able to do for Callahan).

I don't have a DR-07, but as a general rule:

Set the mic input gain to "LOW" or whatever the equivalent lowest sensitivity setting available that there is.

Most importantly (!), aim the mics at the sound source.  I believe those are cardiod mics in the DR-07 (though Tascam's page and the deck's manual (on quick check) doesn't seem to say), but you should check if you can. If they are cards, it's even more important to face them at the sound source. 

If the manual doesn't say, test that by messing with them at home.  I suspect that they face "Out" from the top at 90 degrees, meaning if the recorder were flat on a table with the screen facing up, the mics would be aimed in a straight line parallel to the table.  But again, check this.  One time I saw this joker trying to use the internal mics of a D50 at a show, and he had the damn thing pointed at the ceiling - meaning he was basically just recording room reflections from the ceiling.

Ideally, try to find a small stand or mount so you can keep the DR-07 in a consistent position.  You could also probably try taping the thing to a balcony rail using strong gaffer's tape.  Callahan allows taping, so that should not be a problem there.

DO NOT use any of the "limiters" or other junk on the deck.  Just set it for MIC, LOW GAIN, STEREO, 44.1kHz/24bit (no need to go higher; it's internal mics; hell, I use 44.1 for my DPAs) and let er rip.  It may distort anyway, but at least at Callahan you might be alright.

As always, placement in the room is important. If the mics are omnis, I'd just get as close to the sound source as you can.  If cards, try to make an equilateral triangle with the PA stack (some would also recommend this for use with omnis; personally, unless it's a stereo board feed, I don't think that the tradeoff is often worth it with omnis, especially cheap omnis, but use your judgement).

[jnl]

Thank you very much for your tips, acidjack! I did some search about the internal mic, but i couldn't find any info if they are cardioid or omni. Anyway, i will def point them to the sound source and pick a central place, more or less close to the stage.

I did some experiments at home, setting the mic gain LOW and i noticed that the sound is a bit low (as expected). However, i don't want to take the risk of the sound being too low in the final files. Do you think i could try MID gain mic (in Callahan, for example) or should adjust the REC LEVEL higher?

Another thing, i do understand the recording in .wav format is better (quality) than in .mp3. Anyway, i would also like to have these files in .mp3. Is there any difference between 1) recording in .wav and then convert it to .mp3 in the computer and 2) record directly in .mp3.

Hmm, it's fun to be newbie. Sorry guys.

[acidjack]

Testing at home, I'd expect it to be difficult to pick up a signal with the mic on LOW.  That's a good thing.  Remember a concert will be about 10x louder than even a good home system.  Even with Callahan you will want to be on LOW.  But, if it's still not peaking at at least -12dB on your level meters, then go to MID.  Much easier to go up than down...

You can probably test and find out what type of mic it is--- just point the recorder one way, then snap your fingers or make another sound at various places around it (give a little space so the test works, maybe a couple feet).  With a cardiod, sounds behind it should be barely picked up, whereas those in front should.  With an omni, it'll pick it up about the same all the way around.

You should always record in WAV-- trust me, you'll want it that way later--and 24bit if possible (less lossy when editing, esp for boosting levels).  Also, hopefully you'll share your recordings - everyone is going to want to get them in FLAC.  I myself do a lot of my listening on an iPhone, so I always share FLACs and listen to them at home, and make MP3s (VBR, highest quality) for listening on the go.  It's pretty easy and doesn't use much more disk space.

You can then use a free program like Audacity when you're at home to divide up the tracks, boost the levels, EQ, etc.  Audacity can export in MP3, FLAC and every other format.  If you're a Mac user, get xAct as well.  If Windows, get CDWave (slightly easier file-cutting program) and Trader's Little Helper.  Read the post at the top of "Computer Recording Help" for more info.

[theSeekerr]

The internal mics are very much cardioid - I taped a show from my top pocket the other week (wasn't going to get another chance, didn't have any mics on hand) - it's not great. Basically, because the mics were pointing at the ceiling, not the stacks, response drops off very fast above 1kHz. You can (probably, if I don't hit the bandwidth cap) hear a sample of this http://www.box.net/shared/vj5u2fifjl#/shared/vj5u2fifjl/1/38296840/393558504/1 - that's after I applied as much EQ as I could get away with before the distortion became unacceptable.

[deadahead93]

Hi there.
I have this recorder and used the internals over the summer to record an Irish/Folk group. It wasn't too loud of a show but I kept the recording level on regular and the dial was on about 5 or 6... We were out havin some fun and I had no intentions of dragging my whole rig into this bar, so I just set it up like so, and it came out OK. It was just a fun little recording to listen to. Nothing special, but the band was jazzed to get a copy of their set.

[jnl]

Thanks a lot for your replies, acidjack, theSeekerr and deadahead93, they were very useful.

I also did some experimenting, and the internal mics should be cardioid.

And theSeekerr, considering your recording conditions, that sample looks very ok.

[acidjack]

^^ The pic above is a useful guide to how you want to point it.  In that config, you should be able to make a recording that is pleasant to listen to, if nothing else.