Topic: I'm a total newb and I got a Sony D-50 for Christmas

[grady61]

So, I got the Sony D-50 for Christmas.
I recorded the Amos Lee New Year's Eve Show at the Calvin Theater in Northampton Mass.
I think I may have been too close, 3rd row. I just held it in my lap.
Still, the recording came out pretty well until I dropped the unit about 1/2 way through the show.
At that point one channel started recording at about 1/2 the level I had it set at.

Thankfully, B&H graciously replaced the unit, which is advertised as "rugged."

Does anyone have experience recording shows in clubs or small halls/theaters with the D-50?

I am wondering about the level I should use for recording. I am also considering investing in separate mics rather than relying on the built in ones, for recording shows where the bands allow recording. Any suggestions? What are the considerations, potential limitations of the unit?

Any helpful hints would be very much appreciated.

[sparkey]

Welcome Grady!  You've come to the right place.

What kind of music do you want to record?

[page]

So, I got the Sony D-50 for Christmas.
I recorded the Amos Lee New Year's Eve Show at the Calvin Theater in Northampton Mass.
I think I may have been too close, 3rd row. The recording came out alright until I dropped the unit about 1/2 way through the show.
At that point one channel starded recording at about 1/2 the level I set at.
Anyway B&H graciously replaced the unit, which is advertised as "rugged."

Does anyone have experience recording shows in clubs or small halls/theaters with the D-50?

I am wondering about the level I should use for recording. I am also considering investing in separate mics rather than relying on the built in ones, for recording shows where the bands allow recording. Any suggestions? What are the considerations, potential limitations of the unit?

Any helpful hints would be very much appreciated.

Congrats on the christmas present. Couple of things:

- read up on how to determine the best spot for recording (the sweet spot) along with the effects of what its like to tape from a balcony, floor, or under a balcony.
- second, for loud sources, it's generally recommended to use some inexpensive mics (compared to alternatives) that can be plugged in instead of using the externals. A lot of people here like the Church Audio brand mics.
- third, there is a "Team Board" section here which has threads based on location or gear type (e.g. Church Audio equipment users, People who live in MA, etc).

welcome aboard.

[grady61]

I go to a kinds of shows, from The Dead at MSG to solo acoustic coffee hose gigs.

I guess it's mostly acoustic, alt-folk, jangelly pop, blues and good ol' rock and roll. Recently, the big shows are few and far between.

I go up to Northampton shows at the Iron Horse, Trevor Hall, One Eskimo, Evan Dando, The Calvin -Josh Ritter, Amos, Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt and some lesser known generally louder bands at Pearl Street.

I'll go down to the city to catch bands that don't come up here.  I recently went down to see Iron & Wine at Radio City.
I'm going out to URI to see Matt Nathanson solo acoustic Sunday. My girlfriend likes him. The cool thing is he encourages recording.
I got tickets today for The Damnwells down at the Bowery Ballroom later in March.

So, please, drop some knowledge on me...

[rhinowing]

you should check out the team boards -- lots of folks in your area, I think

[jbell]

Do you have a budget for mics and pre?? 

[slightly_lit]

Art makes a nice little preamp/usb interface that only runs like $70.00 through the same company you bought your d-50 (B and H)
Battery powered also!!