Recording my first live music performance

[scipceva]

Hi, I'll be recording my first live music performance in a few days with 2 cams (both DVX100b). The venue is a low-lit club. I'm planning on putting one of my cams on a tripod for a master shot of the stage and having another camera operator on-stage recording handheld close-ups. I'm also hoping to record audio off the venue's sound feed. I was wondering if this set-up sounds fine and what else I might want to consider technically and artistically (i.e. aside from getting more cams and other gear). In particular, I was wondering whether or not I should shoot 24p. I'm inclined to shoot 24p, but I've read elswhere that that 60i is better for live music performances in low-light environments. Could someone shed some "light" on this matter for me?

(I apologize for the pun)

[Jaimebailon]

personally i would shoot 24p
what is this video going to be put out on
web? dvd?

[scipceva]

Web, though I guess I should have clarified that my question concerns recording considerations (e.g. shutter speed) more than distribution format considerations. Are there technical disadvantages to shooting 24p in a low-light setting with constant effects lighting changes?

[JFEditorIV]

Shoot 24pA. There is no reason 60i would be better. You aren't shooting something fast moving such as sports. Your setup sounds great. When doing a performance like this, if you don't have high quality sound, your event is a waste and that's the best way to do sound. Also, I recommend converting it to black and white in post since it makes the low light more watchable and natural looking. The combination of low light and harsh purple/yellow/green show lights is pretty ugly. Make sure you have long XLR so that you can have freedom of movement and hook up both cams to the board if possible to eliminate any problems with the sync later. Grab a good pair of headphones and monitor the board closely in case it is outputted at too high of a level, which it frequently is.

This was shot in 24pA in a low light bar.

http://vimeo.com/2714985

[thelandofthedave]

You may want to purchase a decent pair of isolation headphones too. That way you can monitor the feed the sound guy is giving you and ask for different levels to be adjusted. Often times the board mix is heavy on vocals but light on everything else.
I record quite a few local bands. Another thing i do to allow me freedom is i have two sennhieser wireless body packs that i use for the audio from the board.

here are a couple examples of some that i have done
http://www.vimeo.com/3012514
http://www.vimeo.com/1222589

[shaun1970]

You want -30dB feed into the cam,, this becomes a major problem with live feed from a mixing board. You also want to have a mixed input as well,, (what is heard from front of house) but anything less than -30dB will start to clip severely so you might need a line attenuator to assure the signal is fine.

[DPStewart]

AUDIO:
Try to get a really good stereo mic placed right above the mixing board. Or right above and in front of it.
The sound mixer will be going for the best sound where they hear it - right there at the board.
INSTANCES WHERE BOARD FEED WON'T DO:
Loud guitar amps on stage may be only very minimally added to the PA mix.
Or anything else for that matter that is a louder sound source on stage will be quieter in the board mix.
~DPS

[andythefilmer]

yes, i record performances too, and i have learned from experience to never plug right into the mix. use a good shotgun in the back, but make sure its in a civilized place where it wont get bumped or knocked over. i shot a wedding last week and it ruined it when the drunken groom ran into one of my speakers and knocked over and actually broke my rode ntg 3...

[scipceva]

You want -30dB feed into the cam,, this becomes a major problem with live feed from a mixing board. You also want to have a mixed input as well,, (what is heard from front of house) but anything less than -30dB will start to clip severely so you might need a line attenuator to assure the signal is fine.

I was planning on having my only input be the Front of House mix. Are you saying that I should have another input too?

[scipceva]

And thanks for the advice, everyone! This is very helpful. Also, thank you to those who shared vids of previous work -- was cool to check-out!

I bought Sony MDR-V6 headphones yesterday (about $30 cheaper than Sony 7506, and only real difference seems to be a plastic instead of metal headband and regular rather than gold-plated connector). Supposedly, isolation is better with Senheisser HD-280, but MDR-V6 has outstanding efficiency, which I've read will offer me a good idea of the actual sound being recorded.

[shaun1970]

I was planning on having my only input be the Front of House mix. Are you saying that I should have another input too?
Nah, what I meant was that if you take a signal from the board, make sure its the mixed front of house sound and -30dB.,,, sorry, I just over complicated my explanation!

[Elijah]

If it's possible, record the audio at the mixer as well as on the cameras. If the mixer has a digital recording device you can do it that way (plus you'll get a multi track recording for post mixing). This removes the need to run XLR's to your cameras and having to deal with adjusting the DVX audio dials on the fly, which is really really tricky to do smoothly. This would obviously require you to synch the sound with the two video tracks in post - this is not that difficult to do... not easy, but not difficult. Just record sound with the interior camera mics to use as a synch reference - find the same frame - and away you go! (the first clapping sound is always the easiest. or if you can actually do a visual/audio "clap" before or after the show).
And of course never stop recording on the cameras (obviously).
If you can't record audio off the mixing board, then just do what everyone else said.

[iain.bason]

Shoot 24pA. There is no reason 60i would be better.


By default, 24pA uses a 1/48 second shutter while 60i uses 1/30 second. That means that 60i will be a little brighter. You can, however, change the shutter speed in 24pA. A longer shutter will make the motion look smoother but more blurred.

[scipceva]

By default, 24pA uses a 1/48 second shutter while 60i uses 1/30 second. That means that 60i will be a little brighter. You can, however, change the shutter speed in 24pA. A longer shutter will make the motion look smoother but more blurred.

I was at a post house today and one of the employees recommended I shoot 30p, which I've never done before, but think I might try out.

[thelandofthedave]

Make friends with the sound guy too. He will be more willing to accommodate your needs. Also keep in mind different venues have different audio setups. The venue i shot in this weekend will for a cost burn a cd of your bands gig to cd. He takes the time to give you a very awesome mix that is of the quality to be released. Where as some small venues will be limited in what they can do with their particular equipment.