Recording Concerts, Audio Equipment Help!

[ChristophFe]

I will take my Cam with me: a Sony DCR-HC23E (DV) with standard Battery and a better one which lasts for 2 hours, probably I will buy a third one with stamina for 3 hours or something like that, so I don't need to change it.

Then I will buy the Sony ECM-719 Microfone for 75 Euros at the moment, to clips it onto my shirt.


But what I am looking for is a MP3 Player with enough Hard Disc to record the Audio in WAV Format and a external MIC to plug in.
It should not be too big and not too expensive.

If somebody could help me with that, it would be really coool!

Thanks in advance!

greetings Chris

[fey-metallica]

Just a side note, maybe you already know but the WAV recordings on mp3 players are not lossless but lossy..

[CreepingDave]

Just a side note, maybe you already know but the WAV recordings on mp3 players are not lossless but lossy..

I thought you were talking crap for a second, but I checked some of my recordings and they look lossy. I had no idea, I need to do some more research...

[ChristophFe]

Just a side note, maybe you already know but the WAV recordings on mp3 players are not lossless but lossy..

Ok, then only MiniDisc or Dat will work? Or is there a other opportunity?

I don't want to use Mini Disc, because I have to change them...

Any other suggestions?

thanks

chris

[CreepingDave]

Just a side note, maybe you already know but the WAV recordings on mp3 players are not lossless but lossy..

I just transferred the last show I taped, it doesn't look lossy, but it does dip down quite a bit in the high end though, anyone know how I can change this?

Edit: Seems like the one show which seems the most lossy was the one I used a batterybox to reduce the bass, which im still a noob at and must have accidently cut out a lot of the high end, needless to say I wont be doing that again. That as well as the fact my recordings come out better with just HD -> Mic. Nothing else fancy in between...

Despite this, i'd say a HD recorder is still better than MD (maybe not Hi-MD, not too sure on those). DATs are old now, but probably do give some of the best recordings, bit difficult to 'stealth' though.

[desert_rat]

You get what you pay for when it comes to recording equipment. If you spend $500 on your entire setup, you'll get recordings that will probably be rated at VG at best.

Mics - look in to Coresound or Sound Professional. Spend at leat $250-$300 on mics. For you recording device, Irivers and Minidiscs either record in mp3 or have some compression that will impact the quality. You might be able to find a used M1 DAT player for around $500-$550 but that's already outside of your budget.

I can't not stress enough the importance of a bass filter, try to get as close to the speaker stacks a possible to keep drunk crowd yelling and singing to a minimum.

Try to clips your mics as high on your body as possible, hidden in a hat is recommended. That will make your highs much clearer than clipping them to your shirt.

Try a few bands out before you tape Metallica. Best to hone your skill on bands you don't care about.

[Metallifold]

You get what you pay for when it comes to recording equipment. If you spend $500 on your entire setup, you'll get recordings that will probably be rated at VG at best.

Mics - look in to Coresound or Sound Professional. Spend at leat $250-$300 on mics. For you recording device, Irivers and Minidiscs either record in mp3 or have some compression that will impact the quality. You might be able to find a used M1 DAT player for around $500-$550 but that's already outside of your budget.

I can't not stress enough the importance of a bass filter, try to get as close to the speaker stacks a possible to keep drunk crowd yelling and singing to a minimum.

Try to clips your mics as high on your body as possible, hidden in a hat is recommended. That will make your highs much clearer than clipping them to your shirt.

Try a few bands out before you tape Metallica. Best to hone your skill on bands you don't care about.

I'll try on opening acts. LOL


Thanks though, I think I will go with a smaller budget set-up for this time,then upgrade if I come to think it's fun.
I know what things cost now, cheers!

[Metallifold]

I found this Minidisc with Digtal recording. A sony, you think that's something? Mz-R55
It has something called Mega bass, whatever that is.

[CreepingDave]

Mics - look in to Coresound or Sound Professional. Spend at leat $250-$300 on mics. For you recording device, Irivers and Minidiscs either record in mp3 or have some compression that will impact the quality. You might be able to find a used M1 DAT player for around $500-$550 but that's already outside of your budget.

I can't not stress enough the importance of a bass filter, try to get as close to the speaker stacks a possible to keep drunk crowd yelling and singing to a minimum.

Some nice tips indeed, though I keep finding myself defending the Iriver. Whilst Minidiscs are shown to be lossy with the LP2 compression at least, I still don't understand how the iriver can be considered that lossy. It records in the standard .wav file, 44.1khz or whatever and the end result is lossless. My lack of high end, considering what you just said, is probably due to the fact I leave the mics in my pocket due to convenience, which probably comprimises the outcome slightly, but I still get reasonably good results.

I did find it strange that a bass filter actually caused more distortion than without, at least on my last 2 recordings they came out very well with just iriver -> mic. Still though i've been taping for only a year and I still consider myself a 'noob' to the experience.

[ChristophFe]

testing on bands before Metallica is not that easy, because on the same day I won't have enough stamina on the Cam, I think. And on other shows or festivals it won't be the same, so i can't say what will be good or what not...

The Novarock Gig, which i filmed last year, was my first try to film a Music Gig - i bought the cam 2 weeks before the show. And it turned out quite good.


I will go then with an Iriver or a similar product and the above named Sony Mic and my cam. I won't use MiniDiscs, because I can't change all the discs and stuff... The original Cam Sound and the Sound of the Iriver with better Mic should be enough for me and hopefully also for you guys, i will share it with!

I am also preparing a nice backpach with a double bottom, to get the stuff in - do you think that will work?? I mean I will sew something into the backpack and probably also a zipper on a side, to get to the real bottom, where the equipment is?