We have a few decent mics, a PA system, an 8 track recording machine (you can only record 2 tracks at once on it though.)
What's the best way to record a live performance with limited equipment?
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
Based on what you have here, I would put your two best mikes together in the center of the room, one pointed at the stage, one about 30 degrees angle off to the right and record the performance from there, two stereo tracks.
Posted by Richard Berg (Member # 133) on :
What kind of mics? If they're omnis, put them on high stands and space them 15-20' apart on the left and right. If they're cardioids, set up an X-Y or ORTF stereo pattern.
Are all the instruments going through a mixing console with the PA?
What I've done in the past has been based on how the console's been setup for the PA. For example, the last show I recorded I had a fully miced drum kit - i.e. bass drum, snare drum, toms, hi's and cymbals, in addition to amp-miced rhythm & lead guitarists and everything else - keys and vox - going straight into the PA.
The console had an eight-channel buss on it. That allowed me to mix the drums in soundcheck and buss all of the drum mics to one channel on the buss, in addition to grouping all the guitars on one buss and putting the keys and vox in through their own.
In that kind of situation, you can run a stereo monitor or headphone out to your recording device and with the addition of a few well-placed mics focused on the audience, get yourself a reasonably good recording.
Otherwise, just go for what the guys above said.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
*sighs in happy pleasure*
the good old days . . .
*picks up hammer and whacks speaker to encourage better connectivity*
No really - time honored technique! Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
On a marginally related note: snares sound awesome with reverb.
Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :
That's a very nasty thing to say Primal.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Calvin, What you need is a good, old Grateful Dead taper. They usually work for beer.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)