Topic: Newbie Help for Recording "metal" concert

[dopethrone]

Hi @ all,

I'm going to go to limp bizkit in 2 weeks in Germany. I'm totally nooby in live bootleg recording. so far, I have read many topics of this awesome community forum and I thought about buying an Zoom H2.
The first concert will be open air. I guess I will be standing somewhere in the middle.
I thought about packing the H2 in shirt pocket and "let it record".
But how far will talking / singing along effect the records? Any recommodations?
And what could be the best settings for the H2?
Thanks in advance.

[su6oxone]

But how far will talking / singing along effect the records? Any recommodations?

Don't do it if you care about your recording. 

[rowjimmytour]

Hi @ all,

I'm going to go to limp bizkit in 2 weeks in Germany. I'm totally nooby in live bootleg recording. so far, I have read many topics of this awesome community forum and I thought about buying an Zoom H2.
The first concert will be open air. I guess I will be standing somewhere in the middle.
I thought about packing the H2 in shirt pocket and "let it record".
But how far will talking / singing along effect the records? Any recommodations?
And what could be the best settings for the H2?
Thanks in advance.

This is a no a no in the taping community Nothing for sell here only tape as a hobby

[dopethrone]

I'm not aiming to sell something I would record. I m a trader. I just mean a "captured live performance" = bootleg (IMO)

[tailschao]

I'm not aiming to sell something I would record. I m a trader. I just mean a "captured live performance" = bootleg (IMO)

Very understandable, and for what it's worth I agree with the principle - but on this board, the word 'bootleg' is a very touchy subject. You're new here and you probably didn't read the sticky (I didn't either until I saw someone else use the word bootleg accidentally and got directed to it), but here, 'bootleg' is considered to mean selling. Personally I don't really care for the distinction, but it's a voluntary community after all, and it's a small sacrifice to think twice and catch yourself before typing it to be able to benefit from all the expertise here.

[nameloc01]

Better change that word in your post before this thread totally goes to shit.

[rowjimmytour]

I'm not aiming to sell something I would record. I m a trader. I just mean a "captured live performance" = bootleg (IMO)

Very understandable, and for what it's worth I agree with the principle - but on this board, the word 'bootleg' is a very touchy subject. You're new here and you probably didn't read the sticky (I didn't either until I saw someone else use the word bootleg accidentally and got directed to it), but here, 'bootleg' is considered to mean selling. Personally I don't really care for the distinction, but it's a voluntary community after all, and it's a small sacrifice to think twice and catch yourself before typing it to be able to benefit from all the expertise here.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,118654.0.html

[acidjack]

Hi @ all,

I'm going to go to limp bizkit in 2 weeks in Germany. I'm totally nooby in live bootleg recording. so far, I have read many topics of this awesome community forum and I thought about buying an Zoom H2.
The first concert will be open air. I guess I will be standing somewhere in the middle.
I thought about packing the H2 in shirt pocket and "let it record".
But how far will talking / singing along effect the records? Any recommodations?
And what could be the best settings for the H2?
Thanks in advance.

To answer your question:

1. Presumably YOU aren't planning on talking or singing along at all, right?  You should make no sound at all.  Otherwise, you should try and stay away from people who go to shows to chat and/or scream over the music the whole time.  I would also try to get as close to the sound source as possible (i.e., get near a PA stack).  If you have external mics, that might be different, but...
2. I'm not that familiar with the Zoom, but in general, I find the recordings from built-in mics on most units such as the R-09HR to be extremely subpar.  If at all possible, you ought to try and get some external mics - I think something workable can be had cheaply for just over $100 (see the Yard Sale and the vendor pages here for Chris Church; see also www.core-sound.com and www.soundprofessionals.com).  I think Giant Squid and some other companies out there also make inexpensive mics.  If all else fails, perhaps a nice taper in your area would let you borrow some? 

Obviously quality of recordings is a matter of personal preference.  But as to what would be, say, something worth seeding on DIME or somewhere like that, I tend to think most people consider the use of a decent set of external mics to be pretty important.  Again, YMMV - just saying what my standards personally are and what I think is a basic norm.  I would bet if you checked most recordings you like listening to, they weren't made with internal mics.

[tailschao]

Hi @ all,

I'm going to go to limp bizkit in 2 weeks in Germany. I'm totally nooby in live bootleg recording. so far, I have read many topics of this awesome community forum and I thought about buying an Zoom H2.
The first concert will be open air. I guess I will be standing somewhere in the middle.
I thought about packing the H2 in shirt pocket and "let it record".
But how far will talking / singing along effect the records? Any recommodations?
And what could be the best settings for the H2?
Thanks in advance.

To answer your question:

1. Presumably YOU aren't planning on talking or singing along at all, right?  You should make no sound at all.  Otherwise, you should try and stay away from people who go to shows to chat and/or scream over the music the whole time.  I would also try to get as close to the sound source as possible (i.e., get near a PA stack).  If you have external mics, that might be different, but...
2. I'm not that familiar with the Zoom, but in general, I find the recordings from built-in mics on most units such as the R-09HR to be extremely subpar.  If at all possible, you ought to try and get some external mics - I think something workable can be had cheaply for just over $100 (see the Yard Sale and the vendor pages here for Chris Church; see also www.core-sound.com and www.soundprofessionals.com).  I think Giant Squid and some other companies out there also make inexpensive mics.  If all else fails, perhaps a nice taper in your area would let you borrow some? 

Obviously quality of recordings is a matter of personal preference.  But as to what would be, say, something worth seeding on DIME or somewhere like that, I tend to think most people consider the use of a decent set of external mics to be pretty important.  Again, YMMV - just saying what my standards personally are and what I think is a basic norm.  I would bet if you checked most recordings you like listening to, they weren't made with internal mics.

Just an FYI, of all the entry-level, compact flash recorders, the Zoom H2 has the best internal mics of the lot. Better than The R-09. With that said, yeah, a decent set of externals will make a lot of difference.

[Scooter123]

Having attended  a recent "Death Metal" concert, I will offer this advice.

Bass will be an issue.  I would want to get as close to the stage as possible and not in the back of the room.  If your machine has a bass roll off, use it.  Those bands just love bass and hate highs and midrange.

Wear the mikes high up off the floor, again to minimize bass and acentuate the highs. 

Wear good, 20db+ ear protection.  I use a pair of jackhammer headphones (26db). 

[fmaderjr]

I find the recordings from built-in mics on most units such as the R-09HR to be extremely subpar. 

There is one exception to this. Buy a used R-09 and send it to Chris Church for the Micsketeer mod. It sounds tremendous. I was stunned by the quality of the recordings I get with mine.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,98290.0.html