Author Topic: Recording From Soundboard - Need Advice (Read 285 times)

laytonco · « **on:** October 19, 2005, 01:12:36 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2005, 02:32:43 PM »

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

laytonco · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2005, 02:40:24 PM »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2005, 02:47:28 PM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2005, 03:39:47 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2005, 05:46:31 AM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2005, 07:39:29 AM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2005, 09:47:46 AM »

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.

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2005, 10:14:41 AM »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2005, 10:34:17 AM »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2005, 02:17:28 PM »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2005, 06:12:24 AM »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2005, 07:28:27 AM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2005, 08:01:16 AM »

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!

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** November 03, 2005, 10:08:13 AM »

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