Help recording with Edirol R-09HR

[metfan69]

I recorded Tom Petty at the Izod Arena with my Edirol R-09HR,CA-14 MICS,and a battery box.Here is a sample of my recording.This was my first time using the CA-14'S with my Edirol.I'm not very happy with my recording,its very bassy,and the vocals sound distant (to me anyway).I had the following settings on my Edirol :sample rate was 96.0,wav 24-bit,record monitor sw:on,limiter/agc:limiter,low cut freq:400hz,mic gain:high,low cut:off,plug in power:off.Hopefully someone can help me with the settings.I was sitting in section 119,3 rows from the side of the stage.I'm sure there are spots in all arenas that are better than others for recording,but I still feel I should have gotten something better than this.Thanks in advance for any help.

[adrianf74]

I recorded Tom Petty at the Izod Arena with my Edirol R-09HR,CA-14 MICS,and a battery box.Here is a sample of my recording.This was my first time using the CA-14'S with my Edirol.I'm not very happy with my recording,its very bassy,and the vocals sound distant (to me anyway).I had the following settings on my Edirol :sample rate was 96.0,wav 24-bit,record monitor sw:on,limiter/agc:limiter,low cut freq:400hz,mic gain:high,low cut:off,plug in power:off.Hopefully someone can help me with the settings.I was sitting in section 119,3 rows from the side of the stage.I'm sure there are spots in all arenas that are better than others for recording,but I still feel I should have gotten something better than this.Thanks in advance for any help.

I just downloaded the sample and listened with "crap" Altec Lansing speakers while at work.

I don't have the HR but the original R09.   Are you using /C or /O CA-14's?  I'm guessing you're using the /C variety.  That said, you don't need any roll-off or low-cut on any Church Audio mics (this comes from Chris himself).  How did you run the mics into your HR?  Did you run Mics > Battery Box > Line In?  That's the recommended route (or a pre- instead of the BB if you've got one). 

All venues have sweet spots in them.  I notice you're sitting to the side of the stage, practically, if I'm looking at the right seating chart.  This is not an optimal place to be.  Generally, I've found you want to be in the first 10-20 rows of the floor if you can - or a bit further back on the sides.  The vocal mix sounds low but I've been noticing this at many shows that I've been to of late. 

Please advise further and I'm sure if I don't have the perfect answer, somebody else will   

BTW, 96k recording is overkill with most mics.  Just do 24/48 to save yourself disk space later.

[rhinowing]

1. turn off your low cut unless the mix is ultra bassy
2. if I'm reading your post correctly, you have the AGC on -- turn it off
3. just go straight to line in: Mics > Battery Box > Line in (no plug in power or anything like that)

[metfan69]

Thanks for answering,I'm not sure what "/C or /O CA-14's " means.If I'm guessing correct,they are regular cardiod ca-14's.So you think moving towards the center or back would give me a better recording ? I had the low cut switched to off.That was my first try with that setup,I want to try to get Roger Waters in November at the same place.Do you think my other settings were ok ? If you have any other suggestions,they would be appreciated.
Thabks !

[su6oxone]

50% ( ) of a good pull comes from your location.  Close up and to the side of the stage doesnt sound like a prime location to tape from... you want to be in the line of fire of the stacks, not below or too far off to the side.  Around the SBD or midway from the SBD to the stage (assuming the SBD is DFC) is a good rule of thumb.

[adrianf74]

Thanks for answering,I'm not sure what "/C or /O CA-14's " means.If I'm guessing correct,they are regular cardiod ca-14's.So you think moving towards the center or back would give me a better recording ? I had the low cut switched to off.That was my first try with that setup,I want to try to get Roger Waters in November at the same place.Do you think my other settings were ok ? If you have any other suggestions,they would be appreciated.
Thabks !

/C or (C) is a notation used for cardioid mics where /O and (O) are used for omnidirectional. 

As rhinowing also mentioned - and I had asked - did you run the mics to the battery box and then to the deck via LINE IN or did you use the mic input?  You definitely want to use the LINE IN approach.  AGC and LIMITER should also be OFF. 

Honestly, it didn't sound that bad to me.  The Air Canada Centre in Toronto (where I'm at) is a similarly laid out venue and I find most of these "hockey" venues are amongst the worst for sound quality.  For sight/pictures, your seat was in a great spot; for sound recording, not so much.  You should ultimately be a bit further back so you're getting more of the sound but you really can't expect much out of an arena unless you're down on the floor about 10-20 rows back (and for RW, that would cost a pretty penny).

I've recorded from as close as 5 rows in on the floor (stacks hanging high above) for The Cure and have an awesome recording.  But su6oxone is right - I'll usually say you want to be about 2/3 from the stage to the soundboard.  Depends if the show is being mixed MONO or STEREO as well (and if there are any panning effects).  If you're on one stack and they audio guy is panning, it might sound weird only hearing half of what you're supposed to hear

[metfan69]

No,I didn't run line in,I went through the mic input.Thanks for the great advice,I'll need a better location next time.