Topic: new taper...

[chriscornell]

i have front row/center seats to an acoustic show in january... what gear should i use to get a great audio recording? without getting caught

[anonymous_user]

It depends on a lot of factors, and you haven't said much. Your budget would be a good place to start.

[sunjan]

CA-14>CA9100>R09-HR is the standard stealth rig right now, but there are lots of variations. This will set you back around $600, depending on where you live. Sony M10 is a new contender too, which might challenge the R09-HR, but it hasn't been tested as much yet.

Let us know if your budget is higher or lower, what bands you want to tape, and if you consider taping open with your gear as well. This will influence the decision.

[greenone]

I also wouldn't tape from front/center if the show is using a PA. In that positioning the speakers would be way too far out to the sides be picked up well. Depends on what you value more, a great recording or your front/center seats...

[page]

I also wouldn't tape from front/center if the show is using a PA. In that positioning the speakers would be way too far out to the sides be picked up well. Depends on what you value more, a great recording or your front/center seats...

first and foremost, placement trumps gear 4 out of 5 times (IMHO). Second, if your budget is around $500-600, then sunjan's recomendation is the best you'll get at this present time without spending astronomical amounts of cash. If your budget is under $200, then you have a zoom h4 or the R-09HR's internal mics, and if your budget is under $100, go enjoy the show.

[DisturbedPyro]

if your budget is lower than sunjan's suggestion, an iriver h120/h140 or h320/h340 would be a good way to lower your total cost. theyre great recorders and a used one can be picked up on ebay for less than $100. thatll save you some cash, and without much (if any) loss in quality

[crazifyngers]

One word of caution.  if this is your first show don't expect a spectacular recording especially stealth.  that is not to say you won't get one just that it should be a bonus.  At least that is my experience.  I have to experiment with different techniques and get to know my gear before i get decent recordings. YMMV

[su6oxone]

what gear should i use to get a great audio recording?

Nice that you have lofty goals.

[Belexes]

Let someone else tape and enjoy the show.

I've stealthed taped up front/center enough to find the results are not all that favorable considering all the factors like mic placement, checking levels, not clapping, not moving your head (if hat mount), etc...

Great that you want to get into the hobby, but maybe get started at another show with seats further back and perhaps a show with permission to record.

[yltfan]

I can see it being possible to get a decent recording from the front row, but it depends on the venue and band. At a small club, with no vocals (or some speakers right up front), maybe the front row is far enough back, maybe some omnis, I could see it working out.

But yeah, front row is definitely not the sweet spot in most of the places I tape.

[DisturbedPyro]

But yeah, front row is definitely not the sweet spot in most of the places I tape.

agreed. but, as you said, its not like a front row recording will be utter crap. i def wouldnt say "dont tape." ive taped front row before and come out with a good recording. not my best (stack recordings imo), but certainly worth having. and far better than most recordings i hear of the bands i collect. so id absolutely still tape