Topic: AT831s > SP-SPSB-1 > MZ-R70 MD, Solo show help

[Emile]

Hey ppl!

Tonight I will be recording my first tape (YAY!), of a solo preformance of a guy with a guitar.. lol.. anyways,
The venue is rather small/avarage size, it can hold about 500 ppl.

My question, with my really basic newbie first-time rig, AT831s > SP-SPSB-1 > MZ-R70 MD, how should I run it.. best options:
1) Line in, with bbox and on/off bass roll-off (either high or low??) and recording level set manuel (high or low??)
2) Mic in, without bbox, recording level(high or low??)

Could someone please help me out I know this is a noobish question, but please help me, its my first time..

Best regards and thanks in advance,

Emile

//EDIT: Oh btw, this is obviously not a loud or whatever.. It won't be acoustic, but, well, its just 1 guy with a guitar.. thanks

[Nixoo]

I would set it on mic in if you can turn of Plug-in power and use a battery box. If you can't turn of plug-in power than you should use Line in. The pluginpower of MD's usally don't give more than 1.5 or maybe 3 volts if you're lucky. The battery box should give you 9 volts at least (if battery is new that is) which is the proper voltage for the AT831's.
On Line-in you should set recording levels manually, hi or low depends on your wheather you'r levels are peaking. Just change them on the fly. Within the first seconds of the show you'll be able to adjust roughly and during the first song maybe do some finetuning.
And you need a bit of luck

[Emile]

The thing is it will be stealth job and the MD doesnt have level meters.. lol

Anyways, think it would best to go line in, with a little bass rolloff (60?) and put the levels to manuel at about 2/3 of full.. and then hope for the best..

[3-Fan]

I ran AT831>SPSB-8>Sony MZ-N1 for a couple shows of amplified bluegrass and never came close to peaking on the MD recorder with the levels all the way up on the MD and going line in.  I think I still had to raise the levels about 12 db in post editing.  I guess to be safe, go with what you just said.

Good luck and have fun.

[Nixoo]

Ouch, no meters. Just be on the safe side then, amplifying is an option afterwards. Removing distortion is no option..

[sunjan]

The thing is it will be stealth job and the MD doesnt have level meters.. lol

I wonder if it's really true that it has no meters?! Read these:
http://flash.lakeheadu.ca/~rrempel/CVX/EARTHSONG%20SERIES%20E3%20BIO.htm
http://lido.binaryops.com/taping.html
www.evergreen.edu/media/pdf/minidiscinst.pdf

The MZ-R70 is one of those much maligned units where you can't change the levels on the fly. But if there is music on the PA before the show, you should be able to adjust the levels discreetly beforehand.

BTW, doesn't the MD provide monitoring of what's being recorded? In that case, bring a pair of in-ear headphones to check if you got the levels right.

The next thing to do once you're bitten by the bug is obviously to upgrade! ;-) Your mics and BB are fine, but you should really look into lossless recording. Pick up a used JB3 or H120, or get an new H2.

Good luck and +T for starting out.

/Jan

[Emile]

Well guys, I have done it, I pulled my first tape that evening..

I was at about 1.5 meters from the speakers, so it was a good thing I was aiming low.. the voice is a bit bassy, thats all..
It actually came out pretty good, sure not the best, but listenable considering its my first tape and stealth too.. I can imagine I can do much better if it's open taping and I would be able to use headphones to monitor my recording..

Thanks for all the help guys, I would +T all if I could, lol..

Oh btw, yes it does have a level meter I notice, not too much info there and it hard to see in the dark (no backlight), but oh well.. it was fine this way Thanks for the help anyways, all!

Regards,
Emile