Re: How to record live music

I''''ve been out of the audio world for 15 years. I need a portable way to record my son''''s saxaphone. In the "old days" I would get an entry level stereo cassette deck and two inexpensive mics. These days you can not seem to buy that equipment! They only sell dual tape cassette decks and no mic jacks. Should I be looking to record via mic to a portable MP3 recorder? onto mini-disc? Not sure what my options are for decent (not great) quality live portable recording. Any help bringing me up to speed would be appreciated! Thanks!

[GreatDane]

Go to <a href="http://www.beldin.com/" target="_blank">Markertek</a>, and type in <i>portable recorders</i> in the search box and you''ll find a couple dozen choices.<p>It really depends on how much you want to spend, but there is something out there that will suit your needs.

[flavomax]

minidisk for sure!!!.........sony is the best, these thing are the size of your cell phone and its all digital. get a good mic<p>flav

[voodoo]

The mic is your most crucial piece. Otherwise everything will suck. You''ll hear some gross dude next to you munching on popcorn instead of your son blasting out sax notes. tongue.gif border=0 <p>There are two types of mics, powered and phantom powered. Phantom mics require power from the recording device. Powered have a battery that powers them. Most DAT and MD units are not powered systems. You will have to have a powered mic.<p>Might I suggest the Audio Technica AT815B shotgun mic. I''m guessing you will be in the audience. This will get you the best sound with the least amount of crowd noise. It is a very directional mic.<br />Also the AT835B. It''s a shotgun also.<br />Now if you were up close and personal to the stage, the ATM33A would be the better option. It can handle loud output without distorting. Plus it''s a little small than the shotguns and also a bit cheaper.<p>If you want to really shine on your recording, you could splurge for the Sennheiser K6 and the K6 power module, this will set you back about $450, but the recordings will be fabulous! These are two separate pieces.<br />Out of the ones listed this is the only powered mic. You can buy external phantoms power supplies though. To solve this you can get a Stewart BPS-1 power supply. It run on batteries and is only $99.<p>You can get all this from Markertek.com<p>Let us know if you have more questions.<p>V<p>< January 02, 2003: Message edited by: Voodoo ></p>

[voodoo]

One more thing:<p>I''ve had a lots of experience with this unit, the Sony PCMM1, it''s a portable DAT recorder.<br />It works <i>extremley</i> well. But it''s pricey, but it''s really good.<p>Also there is the MD end. Sony MZ-N707. It''s a portable MD. I''ve never used it though. $200<p>If you want to stick with the lower end and cheaper way, you could go with a standard cassette recorder. The Sony TCM-400DV it''s only $45.<p>I strongly urge you to go with a high quality mic though. It will make a huge difference in the final result.

[flavomax]

Once again i must insist on sony minidisk, you can record for hours and the''re very small. it''s also very easy to burn onto a regular cd. i have recorded at both large and small venues using my mindisk recorder/player often in total stealth mode, but occasionally buddying up to a sound guy who will let me plug into a board, i use a battery driven cardioid mic which are the best when u consider the small size and practicality, the bias driven ( just plug into your mindisk) also work well and is probably all u need for your kids concerts. you could even go with a non-cardioid, which are quite a bit cheaper.......try <a href="http://microphonemadness.com/" target="_blank">http://microphonemadness.com/</a>

[voodoo]

I insist on a shotgun mic!<p>V

[Masherbrum]

"Might I suggest the Audio Technica AT815B shotgun mic. I''m guessing you will be in the audience. This will get you the best sound with the least amount of crowd noise. It is a very directional mic.<br />Also the AT835B. It''s a shotgun also.<br />Now if you were up close and personal to the stage, the ATM33A would be the better option. It can handle loud output without distorting. Plus it''s a little small than the shotguns and also a bit cheaper."<p><br />I used the above ATM33A, I PLAYED drums for 14 years and sang lead, and backing vocals (I owned this mic and its predecessor for 8 years). Damn, Voo! This thing ignored my DW kit, tried Shure, Sennheiser, Motorola (these sucked). <p>Flavomax, the mic on a minidisc recorder is NOT AS good as a DAT for live recording. Sorry, you''ll lose this one if YOU insist. <br />My band tried them all, the DAT as a RECORDING SOURCE is the optimal choice for both convenience AND SOUND QUALITY. I wonder why most artists from Dr. Dre, Pink Floyd, Dave Matthews (don''t listen to him), Live, Dream Theater, etc. use a DAT for recording master tapes. They must suck huh?<p>I am 110% with Voo on this, as I can PERSONALLY attest this mic out of EXPERIENCE performing live.<p>Masher

[voodoo]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Masherbrum:<br /><strong> I PLAYED drums for 14 years and sang lead, and backing vocals (I owned this mic and its predecessor for 8 years). <br />Masher</strong><hr></blockquote><p><br />Hey Masher, this is wild! I used to roadie and do "studio"(read basement) recordings for a band for about three years. How interesting.<br />Loads of fun! Long live metal!<p>V

[flavomax]

mash.....thanks for your wonderful insight, but i don''t recall making any comparisons to dat. i thought a minidisk recorder would be a smart practical purchase for recording his son''s band concert,( how much was that pink floyd dat recorder?) not only that but there really cool. jwl do a little price comparison shopping, i''m sure mash will follow up with a lesson in world economics post haste.<p>flav

[Masherbrum]

Temper, temper. DAT''s are cheaper than they used to be. They are the SUPERIOR recording format. We can go in circles on this issue, if you choose. At least use some wit, you are not listening to any of these replies. <p>Masher<p>< January 05, 2003: Message edited by: Masherbrum ></p>

[flavomax]

not once have i stated or implied that dat''s are not superior, infact i agree. I just wouldn''t buy one to record my kids concert. just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.<p>flav

In mind of what you''re looking to do -- basically make the audio equivalent of a family snapshot -- I think you could consider doing analog cassette. Really. You could pick up a portastudio for well under a $100, there''s no learning curve, and that lo-res quality isn''t going to be your biggest problem mic''ing from the back of an auditorium or whatever. Unless you''re thinking of really spending some money on this project, I don''t think you need to worry about your recording medium. Good luck.

[flavomax]

gotta video camera?