Recording From Soundboard - Need Advice Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive: 2005 » Archive through November 21, 2005 » Recording From Soundboard - Need Advice « Previous Next »

Author Message
laytonco
Junior
Username: laytonco

Post Number: 26
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 1:12 pm:   Edit Post

I want to be able to plug into our sound booard and record the band live. So far, I've seen some Fostex, BOSS, and TASCAM digital recorders, but these are really 8 track mini recording studio set ups. I don't think I need all of this ($400+) just for recording our shows. Any advice?
son_of_magni
Advanced Member
Username: son_of_magni

Post Number: 214
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 2:32 pm:   Edit Post

Most mixers have a stereo out that you could just connect to any cassette deck. That's the simplest way.
laytonco
Junior
Username: laytonco

Post Number: 27
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 2:40 pm:   Edit Post

I didn't even think of that. I have a good Denon deck that i could use. Any suggestions for a less expensive digital recording?
dnburgess
Senior Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 449
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 2:47 pm:   Edit Post

Edirol have a great little digital field recorder which would be ideal. 24 bit/44.1kHz I intend to acquire one soon. http://www.edirol.com/products/info/r1.html
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 727
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 3:39 pm:   Edit Post

The Edirol looks real cool, but for half the price you can get a Sony mini-disc recorder that's also a lot smaller.

Bill, tgo
jet_powers
Advanced Member
Username: jet_powers

Post Number: 234
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 5:46 am:   Edit Post

I can attest to the Sony MD. My band has made numerous recordings using one....

Several different methods were used and all provided decent results, depending on what goal you are trying to reach. A reference for yourselves, certainly. A demo to get gigs at the local bar, why not? Major label CD release, probably not.......

JP
dnburgess
Senior Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 452
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 7:39 am:   Edit Post

Bill - the Edirol fits in the palm of your hand - can't see how the Sony can be THAT much smaller. OK - just checked - the Sony is 4 oz vs 8 oz for the Edirol.

But the Sony can only record using its proprietary ATRAC compression. The Edirol will record uncompressed WAV or MP3 files at 24bit/44.1kHz - which can then be transferred directly to a computer for editing using CompactFlash media.

Apparantly the EDIROL's mic simulation using built in or external mikes is very effective.

The Sony is good for making cheap archive copies from a desk - but I think the Edirol is a better field recorder.

David B.
laytonco
Junior
Username: laytonco

Post Number: 28
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 9:47 am:   Edit Post

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to search for the Sony for no other reason than the Edirol is not retailed here in Colorado. Bscailly, we want to record the band for reference. We also video cam ourselves but my older vid cam records mono. If we hit it just right, we might use a selection or two from the gig as a demo.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 2462
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 10:14 am:   Edit Post

Gil; if your board has an unused monitor out with individual channel gain controls, you might be able to get a better recording mix than using what's going to the mains. If you've got two unused monitor outs, you could even get a stereo mix. Just make sure the bass is up in the mix!
wideload
Member
Username: wideload

Post Number: 92
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 10:34 am:   Edit Post

We use the pass-thrus from our Shure 400 in-ear monitors for a quick refence recording. Everything is in there, whereas most of the drum mics are not in the live mix (churches get finicky with loud drums!). The IEMs use 2 monitor sends with levels set to pan everyone to their own spot in the stereo panorama . Mix goes the computer directly. Sounds OK to me!

Larry
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 535
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 2:17 pm:   Edit Post

I've used both the Sony minidisc recorder (mine has a line/mic input) and direct into a Tablet PC running Cool Edit Pro to record acoustic stuff and a couple of big bands. Both have given excellent results. The Sony will record without data compression (mine will, at least), but the Cool Edit setup is easiest to use/control in my opinion. I use an iMic input/output usb device with the Tablet. I have done recordings using the tablet and Cool Edit for the main mix, and using the minidisc recorder on the bass and piano to add to the final mix if need be (I haven't needed it).

John
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 641
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, October 21, 2005 - 6:12 am:   Edit Post

we use my friends apple lap top direct from the board and its perfect
except when he forgets to hit record....lol
and you know its always when we really do a tune justice......

everybody knows you play better when not recording right?
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 473
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, October 21, 2005 - 7:28 am:   Edit Post

I record about 85% of my shows, and I always miss the best sets/shows. Why is that? (no, not chemically enhanced) I've been using minidisc recorders for about 6 years (currently on my second one) with a Audio Technica AT-822 stereo mic and quality varies but is certainly good enough for evaluation / critique of performance. I don't much like the current crop of minidisc portable recorders out there (no manual level control, only AGC) and I'm thinking about moving to the Edirol unit, or an even more pricey Marantz/Superscope recorder. I'm hoping to actually handle/test one before making a decision. After all, these electronics guys aren't Alembic ;)

Mike
laytonco
Junior
Username: laytonco

Post Number: 29
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 8:01 am:   Edit Post

I bought the Sony HD Mini-Disc recorder and it did the trick. I was really impressed with the unit's thinking ability. Basically, we ran stereo out from the soundboard into the line in on the Sony. I hit record and the Sony balanced the source so we didn't have to mess with the EQ. Also (and I thought this was really cool), the Sony cuts tracks when you end a song so you end up with individual tracks instead of one long show. That makes it much easier to work with to burn CDs or pick selections for demos. Hats off to the little Sony!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 2508
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 10:08 am:   Edit Post

Sounds like it's doing what you wanted. Thanks for the review.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration