I listened to the clip and besides the "distance" issue, it's a well balanced recording. I'm sure an audience recording in the right spot would have been fantastic. Anyways, there's a pretty noticeable bump around 750hz, when I pulled that out, everything seemed to sound a little better. I also tried MS processing and it worked well too, if anything just to raise the overall volume of the track. There's also a good amount of room rumble that was killed with a HPF @ 40hz.
Thank you sir for taking the time to listen. I think you just might be right.
It would have been really difficult to record with a stand from any other spot in this case. Possible, yes, but solo without some blockers to help - not something I would attempt. As I mentioned, I was by the SBD. I bank on the fact that the sound guy mixes for the room, and his ears are behind the SBD. So, I try to camp near him/her in the hopes that I get what they think sounds good from where they are, and when solo, to take advantage of the protection that putting a mic stand leg through the cage provides. You are right, it does sound distant. But, it wasn't. That really is the room....weird but true.
I talked with the other taper that recorded with hat mics, dead center, in the crowd. He says his recording turned out pretty good and I believe him. He has recorded at this venue plenty of times and knows the nuances.
thanks again...i really do think your suggestions help.