Recording Audio for Live Music

H

HybridTactics

Member
How should I record audio for live music. I can plug into the board, but the last time I did, through XLR, the audio crackled during a few parts, even though they weren't clipping on the DVX100 monitors. Also, I noticed that it didn't seem to capture all the sound. (heavy on voice and drums, but light on guitars and bass). Anyone have experience with recording live bands?
 
Re: Recording Audio for Live Music

I would recommend having a live recording made by the sound engineers and add it in in post. Is that a possibility?
 
Re: Recording Audio for Live Music

What format would they record to? How will I be able to sync it to video? Not sure if sound engineers will do it. Supposedly getting main soundboard audio mix from the mixer and hopefully straight to camera or other audio recording device.
 
Re: Recording Audio for Live Music

There are so many variables to state and discuss before gving you some solid advice! Practice recording in the same venue till you get it right! Do the same at next venue! It's just like shooting........You should get better over time! You can go from the board.....best to experiment w' settings at sound check! Try to make sure everything has got a feed to the P.A.! If you are going right to mini-disc or C.D............Take 2 lines out to another mixer to further adjust EQ ,rumble,etc., ...Go to your recorders and or cams from here! Try to record at 48K! See what kind of quality you get with on cam microphone just to know how you might be able to use it in a pinch! I woulld use suspended large diaphram microphones { mainly used in studio application only.........They are also fragile!]to get a good ambient mix- Great for concerts......Less great for real noisy clubs! Keep reading all the audio forums! Best is to keep borrowing microphones and practice! Best O luck!!!!
 
Re: Recording Audio for Live Music

Most likely the signal off the board is too hot. Line level outputs on pro audio
equipment are typically +4dBu. Line level input on the DVX is spec'd at 0dBu.
I've noticed on my cam that an input signal that is too hot will not necessarily
show up on the audio meters. You'll just hear a crackling sound from the
clipping. A good reason why you should always monitor your audio with a good
pair of headphones. The ALC setting doesn't seem to be a factor either. The
fix for me was to insert a 10db attenuator in the cable from the board to DVX
input.

As for the audio mix, in a live concert, the sound engineer's prime job is sound
reinforcement; not recording. They are trying to acheive a good sound for the
room. See if you can sweet talk the engineer into providing a separate auxillary
mix that is more suited for recording.
 
Re: Recording Audio for Live Music

OK... here's my cheap but good solution:

Get a pair of Oktava MC12 mics with cardioid capsules (these are cheap but flaky from Guitar Center, either get a bunch there and test 'em, and keep extras around, or order from the SoundRoom (SoundRoom.com) to get better quality stereo-matched pairs);

Get a Presonus BlueTube dual preamp;

Get a really sturdy stand, shockmounts, and stereo bar.

Set up the Oktavas in an X-Y or ORTF pattern depending on your source, and you can get some great sound.

The house mix is almost never what you want for recording. Its purpose is very different.

Another solution, if they'll let you, and if they're equipment supports it, is to use the house console's insert sends to pull mic signals into your own mixer, and make your own mix. But unless you have a lot of time beforehand to adjust levels, or plan to leave the camera still and work the mixer, a stereo pair will likely give you a better result.
 
Re: Recording Audio for Live Music

I'm very interested in this set up. what do you mean by "flaky"
Should i avoid gutar center? What's the difference in price? Also is the preamp really nessasary? Will using just my DVX and the mic's get good results? I'm kind of new to live recording, so please excuse all the "newbee" questions.
 
Re: Recording Audio for Live Music

A few companies in Europe, and the SoundRoom in the US, go to the Oktava factory and select the best mics, then do additional testing/stereo matching, etc. Guitar Center gets what's left. When I've gone to test them at GC, I've found significant differences between mics, and some non-functional ones. The ones I buy at the Guitar center I actually modify with better-quality internal components... so, you can use the GC ones, and many do, but try to test 'em as much as you can first.

As for the Preamp - you can use the camera's, but it's the weak point of the camera's audio system IMHO. The BlueTube is small, cheap and clean, but also can add some "tube warmth" to varying degrees... I really like the sound this combo gets. The DVX's preamps are relatively noisy and boxy; and this is emphasized with the Oktavas and long mic-level cable runs. So I'd say Preamp near the mic, then run the line-level signals as far as you need.
 
Re: Recording Audio for Live Music

Couldn't find SoundRoom.com Am I missing something? ???
 
Re: Recording Audio for Live Music

Ooops... it's http://sound-room.com .

Note that, with the hypercardioid capsules, Oktava MC012's are useful for boom mics, and are often used in situations where they may risk is higher than one would want to subject a more expensive mic to. For THAT, I'd recommend trying the $50 Guitar Center versions!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top