Topic: Sound Clash

[mellotone]

Hey peeps,

Not exactly live music per se, but I'm looking to head out to record a reggae soundsystem performance this weekend out at Coney Island, so I wanted to get your input on configurations and placement this time around. I recorded this same session last year and based on that setup the sound will be cranked out of one single source, a massive speaker stack pointed at the audience so different from a typical PA where you have a left and right source, I expect this year to likely be the same.

Last year I setup about 30 feet away and simply pointed two cardoid mics directly at the stack, but I'd be curious to know if you guys had more creative suggestions this time around that I might attempt. You can see from my sig below the modest selection of mics I have at my disposal. I did pick up some NAK 700s not to long ago but am in the process of having them modded.

I should also mention that setup/placement right in front of the stacks is problematic b/c it tends to be an area where people like to dance, even worse where bums passing through tend to gravitate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnnTa2YxBw8

I typically have access to patching directly into the live feed but don't have the capacity to run matrix and usually prefer picking up ambiance/atmosphere in the recording anyways. Any and all feedback is welcome and I appreciate your time, input and most of all expertise on the matter in advance.

[SmokinJoe]

Whatever mics you go with I'd probably set up something a little more DIN'ish, rather than plain AB at the stack.  At least the crowd will have a little bit of Left/Right information so if you listen with headphones it won't sound quite as mono.  Not much consolation.  Many shows with Left/Right stacks are a mono feed, meaning the same thing comes out both stacks.  Same kind of deal.

[eman]

There's a good chance it is stereo as well, just no speaker separation, might as well set up a pattern, it seems like you are close enough to get some separation. Plus you will get a more spacious feeling just from recording the crowd in stereo.

[mellotone]

Thanks, yeah I prefer DIN or NOS in most cases anyways but I wasn't sure if there were other configs that tended to compensate for a higher amount of bass. Also, being that it is outdoors literally on the boardwalk I wasn't sure if this is a case where I might benefit from using the omnis but my guess is those would perform better if I was able to be much closer to the source. Feeling like DIN/NOS with the cardoids is most likely the way to go.

[tim in jersey]

I seem to recall reading a thread on the old Oade forum that X-Y tends to mellow bass a little at the expense of spaciousness.  I tend to agree.

If the speakers are placed center as you anticipate, and probably mono or pseudo-stereo, I'd opt for a wider config to exaggerate the stereo field a bit and then deal with the bass in post...