Topic: Help me help myself!

[Finnbot3000]

I play the drums in The Presidents of the United States of America (yes, it's a hell of a long name).  We want to dip our little feet into the world of recording shows.  Gingerly.  While it's possible we may try to sell shows at some point in the future, everyone agrees the place to start is some simple 'field recordings' that hopefully sound good enough to give away.  I guess that will make us tapers.  BTW, our taping policy has always been wide open , although I don't know how often anyone's taken us up on it.  About the closest we've come to a taping scene was when we played at last summer's moedown.  But that's another story.

Anyways, I need advice on a starter rig that I can acquire quickly.  We're starting a run in Europe on the 19th that I'd like to record all of. 

Stealth not an issue, in fact our FOH guy will be placing the mics. 

I'm liking the looks of the Marantz PMD661...what 2 mics would you use with it?  Or...talk me into the sony one.  Does it have xlr inputs like the marantz?  Is my natural Gadget-dorkness leading me to the most expensive one for no good reason?

make me look good when I walk into practice this weekend with 'the solution'!

JF



 

[TNJazz]

You need to set a budget.  The 661 is still pretty new, but so far people seem to like it pretty well.

So how much do you want to spend on mics?  Under $500?  $500-$1000?  $1000-1500?  More?

There are a number of excellent choices in each of those price brackets, so throw out a number and I predict you'll see a massive pile-on of advice in a very short time!   

[Humbug]

BTW, our taping policy has always been wide open , although I don't know how often anyone's taken us up on it.  About the closest we've come to a taping scene was when we played at last summer's moedown.  But that's another story.

Looks like someone's been taping you!

http://db.etree.org/bs_d.php?artist_key=1952

[dave w]

In addition to a budget for mics (too many options out there without a budget), it would be very helpful to know what type/size rooms you are typically playing in.  That will make a big difference with, for example, the closest to ideal pickup pattern for the mics you will be using.  Additionally, some mics tend to be more forgiving of poor room acoustics than others.
--Dave

[bgalizio]

Obviously depends on budget, but considering it is a band's equipment I would go 4 channels. An Edirol R-44, mics to suit your budget, and 2 channel SBD feed would be quite nice.

[Belexes]

Or...talk me into the sony one.  Does it have xlr inputs like the marantz?

I think you mean the Sony D50 and no it does not have xlr's for the mics. There is an adapter available for a stereo outboard XLR connection, but I don't think anyone here has tried it's priced as much as the deck itself.

[OFOTD]

Obviously depends on budget, but considering it is a band's equipment I would go 4 channels. An Edirol R-44, mics to suit your budget, and 2 channel SBD feed would be quite nice.

My suggestion as well.   Boa and the crew with the Black Crowes are doing the very thing the OP is wanting to do with a R44 and Gefell's I believe.

[Finnbot3000]

Budget: Probably under 1k all in to start, so probably 500 or so for mics.  And I'm probably going to have to talk my singer into having seperate mics in the first place. Thinking small.  And definitely just 2 inputs for now.  The Edirol looks like more than we can bite off to start.

Rooms:  Thousand seaters, basically.  Lots of HOBs, 9:30 club, Showbox, etc....some smaller places thrown in.



   

[TNJazz]

FR2-LE:  http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,118213.0.html

AKG 460's:  http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,118388.0.html

Total:  somewhere around $850-ish.  Add cables, stand, accessories and you should still come in well under budget.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

You'd make good recordings with this rig I'd bet.


http://www.busmanaudio.com/bsc1.html  $450

http://www.zzounds.com/item--FOSFR2LE  $599


EDIT:  Dirk beat me to it. 

[maidencolorado]

I play the drums in The Presidents of the United States of America (yes, it's a hell of a long name).  ...  BTW, our taping policy has always been wide open , although I don't know how often anyone's taken us up on it. 

See you a couple of times in April (Philly and DC), I may just take you up on the open taping.

[nameloc01]

The Marantz is sweeter than a case of peaches.

[landshark]

I have one word (maybe two)

SoundBoard.

I'm tracking out a multi-channel set I did for a friend of mine, with three sources:

akg 483's > MixPre > Korg MR1 (all in, call it $3k)
Sennheiser MKH 8040's > Korg MR1000 (all in, another $3k)
Soundboard> 2 1/4" male to male plugs > Microtrack 24/96 (the original) all in, ~$300 bucks.

The mics capture the ambiance of the show, but the soundboard feed is basically using the mics and amps of the performance, and in terms of fidelity kicks butt.  A very clean source. 

Of course, it's a little "sterile" so mixing with the other sources (using Adobe Audition) will warm it up a bit.
Since you're not only "with the band" , you ARE the band, getting the soundboard fees from each show will give you a huge increase in fidelity over ambient mics alone.  That's where the R44 comes in.

Mike

[Belexes]

You'd make good recordings with this rig I'd bet.

http://www.busmanaudio.com/bsc1.html  $450

http://www.zzounds.com/item--FOSFR2LE  $599


EDIT:  Dirk beat me to it. 

This is my rig and it's hard to beat for the price.  You can get the Fostex FR2-LE on Ebay from the "new-items-only" seller by making an offer of around $425 and I think they will accept it as a purchase.

The Busman mics are a great value with the interchangeable capsules which will come in handy given the different rooms your band plays.

[illconditioned]

Nice to see band members taping.  Both to improve and to capture the vibe for history.

OK, I recommend the following:
- Edirol R44 four track rig, $800 now?  I don't know price
- Small condensors: cheap $200 used SP C4 pair, more money $800, Beyerdynamic MC930 pair.

Record four tracks, two soundboard, and two with the mics ORTF/DIN on a stand just in front of the mixer board.

Measure the distance between the board and the PA speakers.  Note this down for mixing later.  Add delay of 1ms/foot for soundboard, and mix mics + sbd to taste.

You will get excellent sound and value from this setup.

  Richard