Author Topic: Live Recording/Taping Gigs (Read 102 times)

jack · « **on:** November 21, 2008, 09:17:34 AM »

I'm curious what y'all use for this purpose. Here in NYC, clubs love to charge 50 bucks or more (up to 100!) for a CD off the board. Other than the cost, which I find exorbitant, the board doesn't reproduce the room sound very well at all. You lose all the bass, drums are very uneven, too much vocal.

I'd really like something less than 200 bucks that I could set up with a mic, and easily transfer in digital format to my computer for burning to CD/ emailing, etc. What do people use at the jam band shows these days? Let me add that I'm a total Luddite, so something simple and durable is best. I want to be able to USB it right to mp3 format.

I've done a little reading, like here: http://homerecording.about.com/od/tapingliveconcerts/a/start_taping.htm - but everything I see is pretty pricey.

There's very good discussion here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/25231.html

but again, too pricey and complicated for me right now.

Anyone just use a little directional mic and digital recorder?

Here's a good one for you- at our last gig a buddy's band was also playing, one of their friends/family members brought a pretty hightech video setup with a nice mic to record the show. The club said sure, just pay us 200 bucks for the privelege. See, they offer the same service for 200 bucks. Unbelievable- wouldn't let the dude record his own band on his own equipmet without paying them.

Thanks,
Jack

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2008, 10:19:00 AM »

In your price range, the Zoom H2 and the Zoom H4. A lot of us here use these. They are amazing. Nice quality built in mics. With the right memory card, you can record your entire show. And yes, you can record in MP3 format; and transfer with USB.

[edit: typo]

(Message edited by davehouck on November 21, 2008)

jack · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2008, 11:12:33 AM »

Dave, that is perfect, thanks. It seems to have gotten rave reviews from a lot of people here.

Might just pick one up today...

Thanks again,
Jack

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2008, 12:49:54 PM »

Another extremely enthusiastic vote for the H2. I now record every rehearsal, gig, etc. Idiot proof, simple to use, great recordings, and I even use it as a music player for trips. It holds music at CD quality - better than my mp3 player and I can bring along my own stuff to listen to and play for friends. (It also can record and play in mp3 format, if you prefer). The 360 degree option is really useful for the rehearsal studio where we play in a circle. Less than $200! Such a deal! If you do a search you'll find other discussions on this site about the H2 and digital mini recorders in general.

Bill, tgo

jack · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2008, 01:09:16 PM »

Thanks Bill. I just picked one up. I'll try to put it through the paces this weekend. I have 14 days to return it (so long as I don't spill a beer on it or something). The also had the M-Audio Microtrack 2, which has 1/4 inputs. I'd be curious if anyone found the H2 wanting as far as inputs go- what would you use if you wanted to go straight from the board into the H2? The ouput from this is usually 1/4 mono or RCA plugs (the colored ones), correct? So I just want to make sure I have a 1/4 jack adapater or whatever?

This has two lines in- a line level in for external components and a mic in- both small jacks (so called stereo mini phone jacks).

Anyone have a comparison with the Microtrack 2? I saw where someone here said it had a tendency to sieze up or somthing.

Another thing. it looks like I can play to a metronome and record with this thing- far out.

$182 out the door- not back for downtown.

Thanks,
Jack

lembic76450 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2008, 03:03:46 PM »

Jack,

This is a great site with a lot of info.

http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/index.php?sid=2b6746db37c60a48b9f97dd41c4b631e

artswork99 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2008, 03:12:14 PM »

Another plug for the H2 as I've been happy with the results. I've only used the mics so I can't comment on the 2 line in features.

lembic76450 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2008, 04:01:56 PM »

Jack,

I have used the mics for rehearsals, everything sounds great, the acoustic guitars sound very natural. I have also used the stereo mini's off the board at gigs and that sounds great also. Our mixer has stereo rca output jacks. Adapter cords are easy to find.
I found it best to use the wall wart and leave the screen lit all the time to monitor levels. My direct recordings vary in level if I don't pay close attention to the levels. The line in is not a true line level' as you will find out.
All in all for the price it will pay for itself very quickly.
Enjoy

crobbins · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2008, 05:15:06 PM »

I also use a Zoom H2. It works great. Just get bigger Memory card...

bassman68 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2008, 02:12:47 AM »

I use a Boss br1180 with a line out from my desk for my function band.
The drummer uses a roland v-drum system anyway & everything is going through the desk for more controlable volume.
Just a quick listen through with headphones during sound-check & we're away.
The beauty of it is, if anything is missing, we can over-dub on another track afterwards.