Recording a live band

candytog

Hi

I'm a videographer and I'm trying to improve the quality of recorded sound from the wedding bands.

This presents a number of challenges for me and my current solution is to use portable recorders on either side close the speakers and mix with the audio recorded from my on cam mic

I find huge variation band on band between what mix they send out the speakers so sometimes the sound is very thin.

When I mic the bass cabs I basically get the kick drum and nothing else.

Using the on camera mic isn't ideal either as I like to stay in the corners out of the way.

Does anyone have any ideas or experience with this?

Dermot Z

mixing desk of band might have mono output ,its a copy of main mix out put on desk...that plus camera mike blended will sound better.

candytog

Dermot Z wrote: »

mixing desk of band might have mono output ,its a copy of main mix out put on desk...that plus camera mike blended will sound better.

Yea I have yet to try taking a recording directly from their mixer

Cclancy

Hi Candytog,

I record and video an open mic show every month called the Jailbreak Sessions, videos are on youtube, Boards won't let me post a link . I use a Zoom R16 8 channel portable digital recorder/audio interface. I take all my lines into the Zoom and record each channel, mixing for the house as I go. From the L/R output on the zoom I connect these to 2 channels on the house desk. It's not ideal because live mixing on the Zoom is not as easy as using a proper desk, but it is possible and I get a clean reording of all instruments and mics which I can mix later.

An alternative way would be to by channel splitters and split the signal before it hits the desk so I can record on the zoom and the live mix on the house desk, but I don't have enough channel splitters to do this right now.

I hope this helps.

Conor

twin_beacon

Dermot Z wrote: »

mixing desk of band might have mono output ,its a copy of main mix out put on desk...that plus camera mike blended will sound better.

in theory this should work perfectly, in practice it may be difficult as the backline may not be going out the pa as the same volume as the vocals. All depends on the size of the venue, and how loud the backline is.

maccored

it will depend on how the band run their sound through the PA. not always is everything running through it. the reason why you get the kick through the cabs is probably because only the kick has a mic on it. Your best bet would be to find the sweet spot for the sound by listening to the band soundcheck, hang two mics from the ceiling (or if possible on stands somewhere) and run that to the mini mixer and out into a portable recorder.

candytog

I mounted two zoom recorders to pillars at either side at the back (and when I say mount I mean gorrila stands and duct tape ) plus another one closer to the stage.

I'm pretty happy with the result and it was quick and easy to set up which is always good.



Now I just need a more elegant solution to mounting the recorders!

The Paulinator

Yeah, recording from the desk will only work properly if all instruments are going through it. A lot of bands just rely on backline to fill the room for guitars, something I don't agree with, but that's another story.
All mixing desks should have a stereo line output, which will be the same as the mix sent to the power amps. (If not, I've used the monitor output in the past, but will probably be mono.)
If you want an output that you can mix later, there can be 'insert' inputs on each channel, which will provide a send and return at line level for individual channel effect loops. These can also be used as individual outputs, if you know what you're doing. If the desk doesn't have these type of inputs, then obviously you can't do this. Someone already mentioned you could use 'channel splitters' instead. Alternatively you can just make some yourself using a soldering iron, the correct sockets and some insulating tape. You can get plastic boxes for this type of job from RS or Maplins and mount the sockets.
If the band don't all go through the desk, then portable recorders are the answer. The already mentioned Zoom recorders are excellent and I would often use one instead of recording off the desk with great results if placed correctly in the room. The tonal quality and stereo spread that you can get using just one recorder is very impressive.
In short, it all depends on how and if all the band are going through the desk, and also on what type of inputs and outputs the desk has.
Good luck.