Topic: CAUTION: noob asking questions inside

[Frankenfoote]

So I recently decided that I am going to start taping shows. My brother is lending me his mini-disc and a condensor mic to see if I like taping. I realize this isn't the ideal equipment but you gotta start somewhere, right?

I've been looking through different threads over the past couple days and have a few questions on what direction I should go.

I am in college and therefore working with a small budget. Let's say I have $400 to spend on better gear. What should I buy first?

I am thinking about picking up a JB3 or H2. I will mostly be taping a local band (The Brew -- http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22The%20Brew%22&sort=-date check them out!!) so I dont have to worry about stealth recording.

What would I need to hook a mini-disc/JB3/H2 up to a soundboard?

Also, I am a little confused about the ADC and if I'll need one for the mini-disc.

Basically I am just looking for some direction on where to begin. Sorry about the noobish questions. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[Shawn]

to hook the recording device up to the soundboard you'll more than likely just need a pair of cables, and maybe some attenuators.

this is a good thread with info: http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,14253.0.html

[willndmb]

well as someone who started with a md and sp at853 and slowly upgraded here and there
i think the mics are the biggest part of the chain, and they prob are to most people
for example if you have a sd722 with a mic from radio shack you are not going to get the same results as some akgs > your md

for sbd you would need XLRf > 1/8m, RCAm > 1/8m, 1/4m > 1/8m
what most people do is buy RCA and then adapters, look in the archive section for links and pictures

ADC will happen with minidisc or any device that records to a digital media
now most recorders don't have the best A>D thats 1 reason why you will see people using external pres and/or AD

bottom line is get ready to enjoy the hobby
don't let people tell you you need to upgrade, let your ears
start small and grow if you need to
for around or not much more then $400 you can get good recordings out of some gear like
853 > ad20 > jb3 for example
that would run you used prob less then $400

[bhtoque]

How long can you use his MD deck?? I'd put as much as you can into the mics.

If you buy new your best bet will be a pair of mini-mics that run on a battery box, just about anything else will be out of your budget.

If you are patient and hunt for used gear you should be able to get a Deneke PS-2 for less than $100 (just powers mics) and a pair of Oktavas, Avantones, or maybe Studio Projects C-4's or Pelusos (I don't watch the prices on that stuff carefully, but they have the best price/performance ratio) Then all you'll need to do is grab some cheap xlr cables and Audio Technica line transformers (which act as your pre-amp) at your local guitar center type store. That will be tight at $400, but it's the only option that will allow you to upgrade without starting from scratch.

JAson

[boojum]

I have gotten some very good recordings with an RH1 Hi-MD and MM-HLSC-1 or SP-CMC-4U mics.  The RH1 records in WAV format at 16/44.1, has a very good pre-amp, so the determining factor is the selection of mics.  Try recording, see how you like it, and if you are interested get some good mics.  You can upgrade as you go along.

Bottom line: have fun!


Cheers

[Frankenfoote]

i'm going to have the mini-disc until i can get something else, so i'll probably pick up some mics first and go from there.

thanks to everyone for the help! 

[bluntforcetrauma]

Maybe not the best advice, but i dove right in with both feet.  I went for quality mics right off the bat.  I did not believe in adding or building up.  I knew i wanted to do it and have not looked back only looking forward to the next show

DPA 4022

DPA 4061

mics

Upgraded recorders and amps.

[Frankenfoote]

another wicked stupid question

if i am patching into SBD, do i still use a mic or is the input just from the soundboard? I should be able to get a SBD hookup at most shows since there isn't many people taping them yet.

[prof_peabody]

Maybe not the best advice, but i dove right in with both feet.  I went for quality mics right off the bat.  I did not believe in adding or building up.  I knew i wanted to do it and have not looked back only looking forward to the next show

DPA 4022

DPA 4061

mics

Upgraded recorders and amps.

You did dive in on your mics, but nothing else.  I would take a look at the weak links in your rig.  MIT-176 are probably the weakest link in you chain (basically the cheapest transformers you can buy).  $2500 mics into $15 transformers doesn't seem right.  You'd notice an improvement in sound if you upgraded the PS2 and transformers for a quality pre-amp.

[Chris K]

another wicked stupid question

if i am patching into SBD, do i still use a mic or is the input just from the soundboard? I should be able to get a SBD hookup at most shows since there isn't many people taping them yet.

if you are getting a stereo feed from the soundboard you will not need microphones if you are using the minidisc, but you will need to correct cables and possibly attenuators as mentioned above. keep in mind that soundboards sometimes are not ideal especially in smaller venues (bars etc) where not every instrument may be mic'ed up and fed into the mixing desk. for example, drums may not be miced and the soundboard recording may not acurately reproduce the drums except for possible bleed from vocal mics.

good luck, and have fun!