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jbstevens
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
102 Posts |
 Posted - 10/01/2003 : 14:37:57
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I read on the forum that Frank does not have a problem with people recording his shows. I've got a minidisc recorder, but no microphone yet.
Anyone offer some practical tips for recording shows. I don't have much cash to spend, and read an article describing a DIY stereo mic. made from a piece of plastic tube and some microphone elements from Radioshack. Total cost of around £10. Anyone tried anything like this? The other thing I read about was plugging some headphones in the mic. socket.
Also, just how secretive do you need to be about what you're doing? If I take the recorder out my pocket to check the levels, or change discs, am I going to get jumped by security?
 "I joined the cult of frank / and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" |
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Wowee_Zowee
- FB Fan -
Belgium
81 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2003 : 16:02:18
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I'd say that last thing depends of the venue. Just look around, see if there are many security guys around. I don't bootleg shows, but I always smuggle my own half liters of beer in :). To get through the entrance security, I put them in the front of my trousers (?) and hide them with my sweater... try to do that with your minidisc ;).
I've read several times that it is smart to invest on a good mic, keep your eyes open for second hand stuff I'd say though. Those things get rather expensive... I bought my mic for a third of the price from a friend's friend. Whatever you do I wouldn't try the headphone trick, I'd say that would give a pretty bad result.
Hope that helped somehow.
Even if you're Michael or Janet: it's a sad, sad planet. |
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DruggedBunny
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
395 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2003 : 05:45:31
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We used a little PC microphone and got a reasonable recording, but something a little better quality-wise would probably have made all the difference.
Best not to let security people see 'em generally, and it's always a good idea to try and check out the door to see if people are being searched before going in; down the pants is probably enough protection there, if you can keep it in...
We used the support to check levels, though the crowd's maybe a bit too sparse at that time for discreetness.
I think Frank saw me turning over my tape last time he was over here! Not to worry, though, as that turned out unlistenable (hint: dictaphones are useless for this)...
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big_galoof
= Cult of Ray =
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2003 : 06:45:32
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i use core sound binaurals with my minidisc recorder. two little mics that you place near your ears, clipped to your eyeglass frames. just don't go to the bar for a drink - or drop your wallet - or look at your shoes, for that matter!
they cost me about $300 USD, but are well worth the investment - especially if you're one of those types that regrets not recording an earth-shattering performance as *soon* as you step out of the venue! great bass, all kinds of overhead, precise stereo image.
here's a link: http://www.core-sound.com/mics.html
just my two cents (or 300,000 cents, if you're counting!)
TBG |
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pudmeister
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2003 : 09:04:53
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Coresound.com do some good mics the cheapest are 70 usd
"Looking through the eyes of a pig I see it all" - Cypress Hill |
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Albert Tatlock
- FB Fan -
4 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2003 : 05:55:16
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Posted - 10/02/2003 : 06:45:32
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i use core sound binaurals with my minidisc recorder. two little mics that you place near your ears, clipped to your eyeglass frames. just don't go to the bar for a drink - or drop your wallet - or look at your shoes, for that matter!
they cost me about $300 USD, but are well worth the investment - especially if you're one of those types that regrets not recording an earth-shattering performance as *soon* as you step out of the venue! great bass, all kinds of overhead, precise stereo image
- DON'T buy into the core sound binaural rip - off ! The price they cahrge is a truly and absolute rip - off, don't do it. I used to tune into a US yahoo group (minidisc bootleggers or something like that) and they all swore by coresound binaurals. I ALMOST got convinced and nearly shelled out £220 GB pounds, then I came to my senses. The fact that coresound had to introduce a 'bass roll-off' unit further down line to counter Sony minidisc recordings 'bass heavy' sound shows that they are not fully aligned to the purpose of the job. I've heard shows recorded on binaurals - and they still need graphic equalizing / re mixing to get that perfect sound. My trusty Aiwa mic (now 22 years old) still outperforms the vast majority of coresound recordings when I use it with my minidisc.
Separate L/H and R/H sounds a good idea - until you find you're standing next to talkers... Get a SINGLE POINT stereo mic - much easier to deal with.
My suggestion is that you track down a single point stereo mic, from
noted brand leaders Sony or Aiwa (now also Sony alas). Yes, they are really hard to track down, but you can find them on the web if you look hard enough. Here is the best selection I found:
http://www.interdiscountmall.com/interdiscountmall/microphones.html
Good luck, and remember, DON'T listen to those who recommend Coresound binaurals - unless you've got money to burn...
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Albert Tatlock
- FB Fan -
4 Posts |
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Brackish Heart
- FB Fan -
Australia
176 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2003 : 18:42:02
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If you are recording with a minidisc you will need an attenuator for the sound, the preamp on the minidisc won't be able to cope with the sound of the live show and it will come out severely distorted. DAT recorders have built in attenuators from what i gather. I gather if you are electronically proficient you can make this sort of thing yourself, but i paid $30US to get mine.
I initally purchased a core sound mic without a battery box and attenuator and mini disc recordings with them were unlistenable due to distortion. I then upgraded to the core sound binaurals with battery box (bass r/off) and attenuator and the recordings are quite good, but as Albert mentioned they are still very bassy, by equalizing the recording with Soundforge i have mananged to limit the bass somewhat on them.
Unfortunately traders/tapers in the Frank Black community dont seem to care about noting their live recordings with equipment used to record them, its quite useful to see what makes a show sound good or so bad from the equipment used, particularly since some shows can be recorded by at least two people (eg Cats Cradle Jan 2001) and its useful to know what version you are receiving and then will be ontrading. Though in my experience the only trading community which was incredibly thorough on this was the Smashing Pumpkins community. |
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