Topic: Soundboard Recording Gear (Portable)?

[JBBauer]

I am brand new to taping/recording and have been given permission to capture a live recording direct from the soundboard at an out-of-state show in Texas coming up in a few weeks. I have done some research, and a portable MiniDisc recorder seems to be my best option, but I would like opinions. My budget is around $200 (I don't mind buying used, either) and my only real stipulation is I need something portable/easy to transport since I will be traveling with it.

For this recording, I will not need any mics since it will be directly through the soundboard; however, in the near future I do plan on recording a local outdoor music event where I will need to hook up a mic, so I will need this option for the recorder in the future. Also, for this outdoor music event, there will not be any indoor power plugs available, so I will need a recorder that runs on batteries.

Also, I am not sure what type of soundboard I will be recording from, so exactly which types of cables should I have to be covered just in case?

Thanks a lot!   

[Shawn]

I'd look into an creative jb3, eidrol r09, or an iriver.

[JBBauer]

Thank you very much for your response. The Edirol R-09 definitely seems like the way to go. What else am I going to need (cables, etc.) for the soundboard recording with the Edirol R-09?

[leehookem]

Thank you very much for your response. The Edirol R-09 definitely seems like the way to go. What else am I going to need (cables, etc.) for the soundboard recording with the Edirol R-09?

usually just a set of RCA's > 1/8" mini plug.  but it all depends on what outputs the soundboard has.

[Scuba Jeremy]

Briefly - to record to any of the consumer or pro-sumer devices like the R09, MD or JB3 decks, you'll need to get your audio source down to 1/8 or headphone male size.

Soundboards will have any of three kinds of connectors: 1/4 female outputs in a stereo pair, XLR female outputs in stereo pair, or possibly RCA stereo outputs. A very rare amount of boards have a digital output, you'll never see that kind of connection unless the band is bringing their own gear, and they are very rich. So don't worry about digital connections, but bring lots of analog gear to the party so that you'll be ready for anything.

First, you'll want to let the soundguy plug you in, and then set your gear out of his way. To do this, I carry a few 6' or better cables. The first set of cables is an RCA male to male 6' stereo pair, like people use in their home theater setups. I use these in case the board has 1/4 stereo pairs, or perhaps even RCA "Out To Tape" outputs. I have two 1/4 > RCA Female connectors from RadioShack to use in case the board out is 1/4. Then I put a couple male-male connectors on the other end, and attach an RCA to 1/8 Y cable, and plug that in to my deck. This way, you're out of the way of the soundguy. If space is not an issue, you might be able to connect your Y cable directly to the board (or through the 1/4 adapters) and leave your deck by the soundboard, but it is helpful to be out of the soundguys way. Conversely, rather than using RCA stereo cables between the board and your Y cable, you could use a 1/8 to 1/8 extension on the male side of your Y cable, and give some more room to the sound guy that way. Whatever works better for you.

Another set of cables that I carry are XLR microphone cables. To adapt those down to 1/8, I have a set of male-male XLR connectors, a set of XLR female to 1/4 female connectors, and then I plug in my 1/4-RCA-Y cable, and I'm in business.

To review, you'll want:

6' or better RCA cables x2 (Or a 1/8 "headphone extension" cable x1)
6' or better XLR mic cables x2
1/4 to RCA female connectors x2
XLR male-male connector x2
XLR female > 1/4 female connector x2
RCA > stereo 1/8 Y cable x1

This may look like overkill, but I think it's much safer to arrive at a venue with every possible combination than to plan for one event and not be prepared. You may luck out and only need the RCA > stereo 1/8 cable and not be in the way of the soundguy. But for the last few major soundboard tapes I've made, I've needed all of the above gear combined to patch in.

Keep in mind that a soundboard tape might sound "good" some nights and "weird" other nights, depending on stage noise and the size of the room. I'm sure you'll find other articles on this board about the pros and cons of straight board taping, but it's an excellent way to start out, and I'm sure you'll do just fine.

Good luck, I hope I didn't scare you away from taping. It's a wonderful hobby!

[ShawnF]

Briefly - to record to any of the consumer or pro-sumer devices like the R09, MD or JB3 decks, you'll need to get your audio source down to 1/8 or headphone male size.

Soundboards will have any of three kinds of connectors: 1/4 female outputs in a stereo pair, XLR female outputs in stereo pair, or possibly RCA stereo outputs. A very rare amount of boards have a digital output, you'll never see that kind of connection unless the band is bringing their own gear, and they are very rich. So don't worry about digital connections, but bring lots of analog gear to the party so that you'll be ready for anything.

First, you'll want to let the soundguy plug you in, and then set your gear out of his way. To do this, I carry a few 6' or better cables. The first set of cables is an RCA male to male 6' stereo pair, like people use in their home theater setups. I use these in case the board has 1/4 stereo pairs, or perhaps even RCA "Out To Tape" outputs. I have two 1/4 > RCA Female connectors from RadioShack to use in case the board out is 1/4. Then I put a couple male-male connectors on the other end, and attach an RCA to 1/8 Y cable, and plug that in to my deck. This way, you're out of the way of the soundguy. If space is not an issue, you might be able to connect your Y cable directly to the board (or through the 1/4 adapters) and leave your deck by the soundboard, but it is helpful to be out of the soundguys way. Conversely, rather than using RCA stereo cables between the board and your Y cable, you could use a 1/8 to 1/8 extension on the male side of your Y cable, and give some more room to the sound guy that way. Whatever works better for you.

Another set of cables that I carry are XLR microphone cables. To adapt those down to 1/8, I have a set of male-male XLR connectors, a set of XLR female to 1/4 female connectors, and then I plug in my 1/4-RCA-Y cable, and I'm in business.

To review, you'll want:

6' or better RCA cables x2 (Or a 1/8 "headphone extension" cable x1)
6' or better XLR mic cables x2
1/4 to RCA female connectors x2
XLR male-male connector x2
XLR female > 1/4 female connector x2
RCA > stereo 1/8 Y cable x1

This may look like overkill, but I think it's much safer to arrive at a venue with every possible combination than to plan for one event and not be prepared. You may luck out and only need the RCA > stereo 1/8 cable and not be in the way of the soundguy. But for the last few major soundboard tapes I've made, I've needed all of the above gear combined to patch in.

Keep in mind that a soundboard tape might sound "good" some nights and "weird" other nights, depending on stage noise and the size of the room. I'm sure you'll find other articles on this board about the pros and cons of straight board taping, but it's an excellent way to start out, and I'm sure you'll do just fine.

Good luck, I hope I didn't scare you away from taping. It's a wonderful hobby!

Instead of carrying mic cables and the XLR M-M adaptors, why not just use two XLR to RCA adaptors?  Plug into the board and use the RCA cables.  Less to carry and probably cheaper.
http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/GXM-133.html

edit to include my first thought from reading this thread--I think an R-09 might be somewhat beyond your $200 budget, even used.