Question about soundboard recording

[willyjbrown]

Obviously if I have the chance to get a soundboard recording at a big show, I go for it (I assume). However, I want to tape some local bands at a few bars and clubs where I'm from, and I'm curious if I should go for the soundboard (which wouldn't be a problem) or if I should just go for a normal recording. Reason I'm questioning it is because most of these places are so small that only the guitars and vocals are run through the PA. If the place has a decent house PA then they'll run the bass through it and mic the kick drum, toms, and snare but leave out cymbals since they usually sound fine. If I'm in one of these places where everything is not mic'd, should I still go for the soundboard and just assume it will turn better quality or should I just tape from somewhere on the floor so it's a better mix.

Also, are there any situations where it's NOT better to get a soundboard recording? Thanks in advance.

[Javier Cinakowski]

IMHO, soundboards in bars/clubs SUCK!!!.  Tape with your mics or mix the soundboard and mics together.

[twatts]

I would tape audience.  The soundman is running the sound so it sounds good in the room.  This may mean some stuff is miced, others not. 

You can bolster your audience recording by doing a matrix, where you add a little of the SBD signal to your recording. 

But overall, I don't think a SBD gives an accurate representation of the live sound.

Terry

[mikeincharleston]

i agree.  go audience if you have the means.  i've got lots of boards cause i don't own any mics and i'd say 1 in 10 is really worth listening too.  almost always the mix is way off

[willyjbrown]

would it be worth it to a matrix and mix both? if so, i've never done that before and i would need some advice for that. i think my iriver h120 will only record from one source at a time. how would i rig this up exactly?

[Nick Graham]

how would i rig this up exactly?

You'll need 2 recording devices and mix them in post, or a 4 channel recorder (Edirol R4, Sound Devices 744, etc.).

[willyjbrown]

all i've got is my iriver h120, so it looks like i'll be taping from the floor if thats what you guys recommend. if anyone has any other comments or what not, please keep 'em comin

[twatts]

how would i rig this up exactly?

You'll need 2 recording devices and mix them in post, or a 4 channel recorder (Edirol R4, Sound Devices 744, etc.).

Or a mixer, or a UA5... 

[Diamond_D]

A matrix is usually very helpful, in my experience in bars and clubs, since as others have pointed out the board feed isn't usually very accurate, but in the room the bass and guitars can be overpowering when you have monitors and the PA combined in a small space. So the vocals from the sbd have really made a huge difference in the two-source mixes I've made.

I usually try to "team up" with another taper that can do a sbd feed, but now I have a UA-5 and will give matrixing on the fly a shot.