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How to record live sets at gigs?

Couldn't really find anything searching through forums. I definitely can't bring my computer (wish I had a laptop)

any tips?

You could bring a portable MD-recorder...

A portable MP3 player works too. I have an iRiver IHP-120, works fine!

quote:

Originally posted by DjVash A portable MP3 player works too. I have an iRiver IHP-120, works fine!

Yeah, iRiver does the job great.

i take a sony Net MD walkman to most nights

on LP4 mode you can do up to 5 hours on a single battery/disc.

Top stuff, and as it automatically adjusts the record level, its basically hit record then leave it

The sony net md walkman has rca plug-ins? or do you need a special cable?

2 phono to line in on soundcard + laptop + proper line in volume adjustment + cool edit + 1.5 gigs of free space

I've never seen a portable music recorder (not unless it's really high end) with RCA plugs :P. So for NetMD or an MP3 player, you need to get a cable RCA to 3,5mm jack.

quote:

Originally posted by Freak i take a sony Net MD walkman to most nights on LP4 mode you can do up to 5 hours on a single battery/disc. Top stuff, and as it automatically adjusts the record level, its basically hit record then leave it

I've heard bad things about the software on these things, but I'm not sure if that would be any problem with what I'd want to do with one. Is there any trouble at all involving recording a live set with crowd noise, and uploading it to a PC later?

to get the crowd noise, you need to also have a mic on the crowd. that has to go into the recording as well, and since MDs don't have two simultaneous inputs, you'd need to go through some sort of mixing board probably.

Can you not just record the crowd and the music from the actual speakers on the same input? Granted, it'd sound like shit unless you have it well-placed in the club where it's not in the direct line of any speakers, but would that not be possible? Or do you have to record from an input on the Net MDs?

quote:

Originally posted by brian Can you not just record the crowd and the music from the actual speakers on the same input? Granted, it'd sound like shit unless you have it well-placed in the club where it's not in the direct line of any speakers, but would that not be possible? Or do you have to record from an input on the Net MDs?

Well, like you said, recording directly from the speakers will sound like shit.

If you want the crowd noise in your recording, you could hook up a mic to the club mixer that records those sounds, and then directly record from the mixer to the recording device. That way you get the best sound-quality without having to buy another mic + mixer and cables.

When ever I've recorded myself, its always Mixer > 2RCA to 3.5 jack > Minidisc, the MD I used though was one of the older ones, and could only do 74 minutes of recording, but it was still good, I got a couple where the crowd was brought in, but dunno how it was setup.

quote:

Originally posted by DjVash I've never seen a portable music recorder (not unless it's really high end) with RCA plugs :P. So for NetMD or an MP3 player, you need to get a cable RCA to 3,5mm jack.

actually there is tons of portable recorders. Pocketstudio5 is my fav its a multitrack recorder which means it gives you lots of more options you need like if you want to reoord crowds in another channel as well
http://www.tascam.com/Products/PocketStudio5.html

korg also has one: http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?A_PROD_NO=PXR4

If you want portable but doesnt run on battery look for Yamaha Md4s. Its a bit bigger but got more power
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...me=STRK:MEWA:IT

I have a Sony NetMD N-707, when I try to record using it using the TAPE output from my mixer its just too loud. There is no Recording Volume option in the settings, and it doesn't adjust to lower levels, everything is just distorted to crap. I also tried an output from the amp = same result. The only way I can get the volume low enough is to turn the volume of the mixer RIGHT down, but then you can hear the 'off' channel (damn crappy leaking faders, not too bad though, with any decent volume you can't hear it)

Any ideas whats wrong?

Having said that, MD or MP3 players are definetly the easiest way to record. Two plugs, one button, done.

I wonder what's the best place to put this recorder at?

The best way to record sets at live gigs without bringing along a computer and assocated get-up is a DAT deck.

CD Recorders and MD Decks are sensitive to vibration in a bad way. If your spinning on a nice thumpin soundsystem, that could be a problem.

DAT decks dont really care about vibration, usually have the best A/D converters you can get without an outboard box, and usually have a wide range of inputs and signal level options.

I use a Tascam DA30 in a rack case. It'll take RCA or XLR in, balanced or unbalanced, has complete level control, doesnt have SCMS, and has a pristine A/D converter. The rack case keeps it safe and makes it easy to lug.

I then S/PDIF digital-transfer the DAT to the PC at a later time... and use normal digital editing tools to sort out the levels, etc etc.

MD decks suck a nut. they use compression, which is never a good thing.

as far as where to connect the deck, use the mixer's record out. if a record out is not available, use the booth output and connect the monitors to the deck's monitor or headphone output. If no booth or record out on the mixer, you can always insert it in the main output chain.

also, alot of soundsystems will have a line-mixer or buffer/preamp between the DJ-mixer and the amp/crossover racks, alot of the times an additional output is available there...

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