to continue this thread with a slightly more specific quesiton...i'm in the same boat, having recorded with R9 and Tascam DR-2d and CAFS omni, CA-14, AT853, AT933 (all cards) in my past. looking to move to a set of beyers ck930 and or nevatons mce400s. i tape mostly loud classic rock gigs, rush, styx, MAC, similar....large arenas or sheds...i also tape acoustic music, almost exclusively the indigo girls, both with and without the band (in 2000 seat theaters mostly or small sheds and such) and also AmyRay solo, which she mostly playes small clubs/bar type venues. i've used mics on glasses and last few years, used a hat, current is a nice kangol with mesh front, mounting mics on the front lid (wearing it normally), cable out the back and the mics usually pointing a little to the outside, like rabbit ears at a angle, but they are pretty close together, probably 4-5 inches apart at the most.
i mostly stack tape, usually trying to set up in front of the right or left stack in full line to get maximum sound pressure and clarity (as opposed to close and middle), distance usually in front of the board, rows 15-25 genearlly....i've pulled good shows and avg shows from similar spots, and of course avg shows with less than optimal seats (sometimes too close and middle). i've pulled an incredible show at the old mellon arena, i was 3/4 way back in the fourth row off the floor and its probably the best show i've ever pulled, fleetwood mac's opening gig in 09'. when i got my seats, i'm thinking this gig is going to blow sound wise, the gig sounded amazing in the arena (soundman?) and it translated very well to the recorder. i guess the soundman can't be controlled and its possible some gigs will NEVER sound good with bad sound to begin with....however...its not all that bad.....here are some of the shows up on dime with samples.
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?returnto=%2Faccount-cp.php&id=240479http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?returnto=%2Faccount-cp.php&id=323815i'm really at a point that i'm willing to spend some cash to get a better rig if the results are going to be there. i've listened to stack shows of rush and similar bands with schoeps and other high end mics, they are noticiably better, with cleaner bass and highs (although i don't care for the overall sound of schoeps or the price!! *ducking* - heh), but you know what i mean. i've got some rush gigs coming in april, i have pretty good stack seats (17th, 25th and 30th row for each) and i want good pulls. maybe i should be satisfied with what i've done but i know i can do better and i'm slightly worried that is could be mic position, etc. but stealth taping is pretty limited. any thoughts on this i would appreciate. i don't tape a lot of shows really, most of the shows i do attend i do tape however, rarely excepted but when i do tape and take the effort, i want it to be worth it otherwise, i'll just enjoy the dam show and dance around instead.
my proposed future rig is beyers ck930>bodies>PMD661 oade CM and or the nevatons mce400 with same brick and maybe moving to the tinybox 2 (no bodies) with R9 (HR) or tascam DR-2d. my worry about this is getting all the gear in, cables, mic bodies, possible patch cables and a bigger recorder, i have ideas on this and i think i can do it, its just is it all going to pay off. would appreciate some candid thoughts.....i am nearly out of time, need to make a decision this week so i have all the parts by early april....thanks everyone.