Topic: Settings questions for PCM-D50 users from a newbie

[Russell_L]

I'll be using my brand-new D50 for the first time this weekend, recording an opera in which a friend is singing.  I've recorded previous performances (in the same run) with a Zoom H4n, and the results were satisfactory, but I'm hoping the D50 will be better.  This weekend's performance will be in a different (and unfamiliar) venue, so the acoustics will be a complete unknown to me.  In the previous venue, the acoustics were quite lively and it got fairly loud at times; I have no idea how it will sound this weekend.  I'll also be limited to using the recorder's internal mics.

With the few test recordings I've made around the house with the D50 (recording 'environmental' sounds), I know the internal mics are VERY sensitive.  I plan to mount the D50 on a mini tripod to avoid handling noise; hopefully I'll be able to just put it on the seat next to me.  What about the settings?  I'm planning to start with a recording level of about 4 and make adjustments as necessary during the performance.  Should I use the limiter?  What about the MIC ATT setting?  Should I leave it at 0 or switch it to 20?  (This is a mic sensitivity setting, right?  If I set it to 20, and compensate by raising the recording level, wouldn't that just defeat the purpose?)  I'm also assuming that *occasional* flashes of the red 'peak' LEDs are OK, right?

Apologies for the newbie questions!

Many thanks in advance.

[jlykos]

How far away will you be from the source?  It sounds like you will be a little bit away if you are going to be seated.  I personally like the limiter because it can save your recording if the unit brickwalls, but others don't.  I would leave it on; other people will have different opinions.  Leave the attenuator to 0.  The recording level starting out at 4 sounds like a good idea and then adjust up or down as necessary.  I don't like seeing the red LEDs light up all, but if you leave the limiter on, you will be fine if it does so.  That security is why I like leaving the limiter on.  Tripod idea is a good one.

[Russell_L]

Thanks, jlykos.  Yes, I expect to be seated in the audience at least midway back.  Hopefully I'll get a nice blend of voices and the orchestra.  In the previous performances I was seated in the very last row and I set the recorder (a Zoom H4n) on a convenient shelf on the back wall.  The recording came out pretty well.  The hall was small (capacity = 150), and the sound was pretty loud and lively back there.  This weekend will be completely different, though--I won't know anything about the venue until I get there.

[ilduclo]

red lights are not a good thing. try to keep the meters down around -12, record at 44.1 24 bit and you can amp them up to whatever you wish. good luck, nice to see a classical taper here occasionally

[F.O.Bean]

My levels on my M10 hit -12 STEADY And I have yet to brickwall a recording

[dogmusic]

I plan to mount the D50 on a mini tripod to avoid handling noise; hopefully I'll be able to just put it on the seat next to me. 
..........

In the previous performances I was seated in the very last row and I set the recorder (a Zoom H4n) on a convenient shelf on the back wall.

You may find the positioning of the D50 on a small tripod on the seat next to you will give you a more muffled recording than when your H4n was on that convenient shelf. The D50 will not be at ear level and will have the added obstruction of the seat in front of it.

[Russell_L]

I plan to mount the D50 on a mini tripod to avoid handling noise; hopefully I'll be able to just put it on the seat next to me. 
..........

In the previous performances I was seated in the very last row and I set the recorder (a Zoom H4n) on a convenient shelf on the back wall.

You may find the positioning of the D50 on a small tripod on the seat next to you will give you a more muffled recording than when your H4n was on that convenient shelf. The D50 will not be at ear level and will have the added obstruction of the seat in front of it.

Yeah, I realize that.  I really have no idea what my options will be in the new venue.  If I see a good, unobstructed place to position the D50, I'll take it!  The tripod-on-the-seat idea is probably the worst-case scenario.

[ScoobieKW]

I'd recommend a Joby Gorillapod http://joby.com/gorillapod/slrzoom/, it's bendable arms would allow you to mount to the top of a seat back.  Or, if the venue is amiable, use a round base mic stand, taller tripod on the floor, or a clamp and pole. Get the mics as high as you can, but ear level at a minimum.

External mics besides having sonic advantages, are nice in that you can use discreet mics and place them with less disruption than a full recorder. Church Audio is running a sale on mics in the Yard Sale right now.

[Russell_L]

Thanks again, everyone.  I found a pic of the site online--it's a medium-sized hall with a stage and no fixed seating, so there will be movable chairs.  I think my best bet will be to look for a center-aisle seat toward the back, place the recorder/tripod on it, and push the chair into the aisle a little bit so that it won't be blocked by the seat in front.  Hopefully the flashing LEDs won't be a distraction to anyone!  (I'm fairly sure it won't be a full house.)

[ScoobieKW]

Thanks again, everyone.  I found a pic of the site online--it's a medium-sized hall with a stage and no fixed seating, so there will be movable chairs.  I think my best bet will be to look for a center-aisle seat toward the back, place the recorder/tripod on it, and push the chair into the aisle a little bit so that it won't be blocked by the seat in front.  Hopefully the flashing LEDs won't be a distraction to anyone!  (I'm fairly sure it won't be a full house.)

Not sure about the D50, but the Sony M10 has a menu option to turn off LEDs. (or you could just cover in tape)

[Russell_L]

Thanks again, everyone.  I found a pic of the site online--it's a medium-sized hall with a stage and no fixed seating, so there will be movable chairs.  I think my best bet will be to look for a center-aisle seat toward the back, place the recorder/tripod on it, and push the chair into the aisle a little bit so that it won't be blocked by the seat in front.  Hopefully the flashing LEDs won't be a distraction to anyone!  (I'm fairly sure it won't be a full house.)

Not sure about the D50, but the Sony M10 has a menu option to turn off LEDs. (or you could just cover in tape)

I'm pretty sure you can turn them off on the D50 as well, but I'll need to keep them on so that I can look at them during the recording.  Perhaps covering it in thin tissue paper will do the trick!

[dogmusic]

I think my best bet will be to look for a center-aisle seat toward the back, place the recorder/tripod on it, and push the chair into the aisle a little bit so that it won't be blocked by the seat in front.

Careful how far out that chair is into the aisle. The last thing you want is someone leaving the auditorium during the show in the dark and kicking over your D50.