Topic: Taping / Equipment Advice?

[geetarz]

Hello All,

Hope I have posted this in the correct forum as I have several questions and would like some "general" advice!

As I mentioned in another post, I was at the Clapton show in Charlottesville, Va. last night. 

For some years I've used  Sonic Solutions' DSM-6 > Sonic Modded Sony M1 DAT but currently the Sonics are down (bad cable?) and I used this as an excuse to pick up a new Edirol R-09 and used it with a pair of Core Binaurals.  For settings I used the mic input and the "low" sensitivity setting, and used the bass roll off filter on the R-09.  I'm used to the somewhat inaccurate meters on the DAT so I ran a bit low, peaking at no more than -12 dB to -6 dB.

Here's a sample so you can help me to improve my technique:

http://www.geetarz.org/tunez/2006-10-12-crossroads.mp3

1) I'm still getting a bit of distortion on loud transients, since the recorder isn't anywhere near 0 dB I am guessing that the mics are still just barely overloading the input stage.  Would I be better off running into the "line" input and if so would I have enough input gain to make a decent recording?

2) I'm not really pleased with the mics - I was front row stage left right on the PA and sound was bloody loud (this is a compliment!) and clear but the recording is a bit more distant sounding and doesn't accurately capture the mix I heard.  I've never used cardioid mics but in this type situation I can't help but wonder that, pointed right up at the stack, they would not provide better results than omnis/binaurals since the reflected sound isn't what we are after here!  Suggestions?

3) Any idea if there is a way to defeat the giant bright neon red "hi I am stealth taping here" record button on the R09?  Can't find any settings in the manual for that.

4) I'm recording in WAV 44.1/16 ... given a live arena gig like this will recording with additional resolution really provide any meaningful quality or is it just a faster way to eat up memory?

Thanks in advance for any advice/hints/tips etc.  I'm off to Raleigh and Charlotte NC for more EC shows next week ... see y'all on the road!

~G

[dorrcoq]

I wrapped a black wristband around the red light, blocked out most of the light and still allows you easy access to the controls

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

You have a mic problem so you use that as an excuse to buy a new 24-bit recorder? You're going to fit in around here.

1) line-in might have been a better choice.  If you have a low level but record at 24-bit you can probably still get 16 bits of resolution.
2) What you describe is sort of what I've always thought of CSB tapes I've heard.   Get your DSMs fixed.
3) I don't have a link handy but there is some clinging opaque film that has been widely used to dim the LCD on the D7/D8 for low profile taping.   You could use a few layers of blue tinted food wrap and still work the buttons through it.
4) yes the higher resolution is worth the effort.  Even if you don't have high resolution playback now, you will someday and you'll be glad that your masters are 24-bit.

[geetarz]

1) I've also considered using an attenuator cable ... will that have an adverse effect on sound quality?

2) I do love the Sonics and will have them fixed as well as send the recorder off  so it can be modded to power the Sonic mics.  I'm also considering a decent pair of cardioid mics for larger arena type shows ... anyone got a good mic recommendation that won't break the bank or require a home refinance? <g>

3) Yes I justified buying a new recorder ... I'm good at that <g>. I don't yet have an excuse list handy for recording but I guess I can put this one as #1 on the list. "my mics won't work so ...".

In the meantime I do have an excuse list for buying guitars:

Top 41 Excuses to Buy that Guitar

                                       gathered from Fidonet

   1.But I don't have that *color* yet
   2.No one else will have *two* in that color
   3.Only 344 more to go and I own the whole production run
   4.I want to try .010s'
   5.I don't have one yet
   6.But it's a Collectors' Item
   7.No one else in this area owns one
   8.Think of what it will do for my playing
   9.It'll sound just great through that brown Deluxe I wanted
  10.We really didn't need to fix the car that badly
  11.So we'll buy food *next* week
  12.Look it at! Someone just traded it in and it needs a good home. Somewhere where it won't be abused.
  13.It is just like the one I wanted when I was 13 but didn't have the money for.
  14.It has different pickups than the one I have got.
  15.I "connected" with it.
  16.I came up with one hundred new songs in the 10 minutes I played it.
  17.[insert artist name] plays one!
  18.It's got a paisley pick guard!
  19.The salesman said it sounded great on me!
  20.Leo would have wanted me to have it!
  21.The scratches on the back exactly match my huge belt buckle- it's a sign.
  22.Its the LAST ONE I'll buy, I promise.
  23.The owner said someone else was going to look at it, I didn't think I'd have time to ask you...
  24.Its an investment.
  25.It'll go with my 5150 and case of Crystal Pepsi, perfectly!!
  26.But it's got SPEED KNOBS!!!!!
  27.No, the one I have at home was made in Kalamazoo. THIS one wasn't!
  28.Baby, have I showed you my tongue lately?
  29.Oh, come on! This is WINTER! They don't shut off people's heat in winter!
  30.Look! This one has a "5-way" switch.
  31.If you don't let me buy this one, I'm gonna throw a two-year-old-type fit here in the store!
  32.Honey! Dogs can go without food for DAYS!!!
  33.What phone shut-off?
  34.I'm sorry, babe, I was all wrapped up in this guitar. What were you saying?
  35.But it's got wide frets!
  36.It matches that outfit you like.
  37.But it comes with the strings!
  38.Yeah, so I'll have to buy a new amp for it. So what?
  39.But it goes with your eyes, honey.
  40.This old thing? I've had it for years.
  41.Oh, that. I got it at a garage sale for 20 bucks.
  42.Shut the hell up.

Cheers,
~G

PS Little Kim, you're a big EC fan, eh? Saw the news reports

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I don't like attenuator cables just because it's one more piece in the chain that adds noise or potentually fails.  But it 's better than a trashed recording.

There are a lot of good mid priced cardioids.   If you can spend about a grand, I liked the KM184s but there are newer options.  Someone with wider experience is probably better able to recommend something under 1K. 

EC fan?

[geetarz]

Didn't you know that Little Kim Jong-Il is a big EC fan? Wonder if he tapes? <g>

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/06/front2453908.0597222224.html

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

 

I did not know that.  See, nobody is all bad.

[George]

If your looking for a cheaper solution for cards, try the sound professional SP-CMC-4 mics.  They are essentially at853's, but terminated to a miniplug, get them modded to mini xlr for phantom power.  Then contact Chris Church and buy one of his preamps with mini xlu inputs and your set.   This is a great stealth rig, the mics are small enough to clip to your jacket collar and the preamp is tiny.  I personally Chris' battery box since I don't require the gain the preamp section gives you. Both the mics and preamp should set you back around $500. 

[geetarz]

Thanks for the advice ... I've contacted Church about some info on the preamps and also his mic set, haven't heard back yet.  I definitely would like to find a solution that offers a good price/performance ratio but that will also offer lots of flexibility with different recorders etc. 

Thanks!
~G