Mini Gig Report: Guerrilla Style recording in Greenwich Village

[RobAnderson]

Hi all

Gerald Thomas and his septet did a gig at the Cornelia Street Cafe in the Village. Sometimes he brings me in to record. Due to the logistics and budget, it's always a live-to-2TR sort of gig, but this time was even more cramped for time than usual - I had about 15 minutes to setup and 15 to break down. As a result I had to strip it to the bare essentials: an ORTF pair of Schoeps and a single spot on the piano (KMS105).

The upside is that I got to take my "new" API 3124m for a spin AND I actually remembered my camera.

Here are some pic's - first is the little 2-TR rig - the SPDIF cable to the backup recorder got plugged in just in time; next is the ORTF pair - usually I hang, but since time was so short on the out I opted for a stand; The third picture is of the piano - Steve was kind enough to loan me a clamp of a type that he sells (and I will be buying) - these clamps articulate and spin in almost any direction and the clamp will not damage wood - absolutely ideal for this and many other applications. The last pic gives you an idea of how cramped the stage is - not everyone is onstage yet here! That's Gerald Thomas on the right in the foreground - a very gifted sax player and composer.

Enjoy!

[wannes]

Did you get a good sound out of it?

[RobAnderson]

I'm pretty sure I won't win any Grammy's or anything for it

but it sounds "decent enough" for what it is. I probably should have mixed the piano spot a little stronger. It was very hard to monitor this time. Usually I am able to set up backstage, but because time was so short I was forced to set up out in the house. I decided to err on the side of caution with the spot, but the piano does not carry well off of the stage. It was mic'ed up in the house and was quite prominent in the PA, so my ears were a little fooled.

Eventually these recordings will probably end up on his myspace page. When/if I see them there maybe I'll post a link (if I remember).

I don't like how myspace seems to change my mixes though - maybe it's just me, but of the mixes I've done that have ended up there, it seems like the cymbals disappear and the bass jumps out in front a bit.

[mixedupsteve]

Originally Posted by RobAnderson

I'm pretty sure I won't win any Grammy's or anything for it

but it sounds "decent enough" for what it is. I probably should have mixed the piano spot a little stronger. It was very hard to monitor this time. Usually I am able to set up backstage, but because time was so short I was forced to set up out in the house. I decided to err on the side of caution with the spot, but the piano does not carry well off of the stage. It was mic'ed up in the house and was quite prominent in the PA, so my ears were a little fooled.

Eventually these recordings will probably end up on his myspace page. When/if I see them there maybe I'll post a link (if I remember).

I don't like how myspace seems to change my mixes though - maybe it's just me, but of the mixes I've done that have ended up there, it seems like the cymbals disappear and the bass jumps out in front a bit.

Cool Gig!! I wish I lived in NY!!
Myspace does that to my stuff too. I think their player has some curve built in.

[JPeters86]

Nice pics!

[BLP]

Very nice, man! Loving the api, eh? Then again, how couldn't you... Good to see that guerilla recording is alive and well.

So, would you (or Steve) care to expound on this fancy clamp dealy you've got going? After ghetto-rigging more Manfrotto, Bogen and On Stage bits and bobs than I care to remember, it looks like this clamp could be the silver bullet I've been looking for for a while now...

[RobAnderson]

Hey man

Good to hear from you - how's McGill treating you?

These clamps are pretty awesome - I wish I had better pictures - they are difficult to describe. It's a short (6" maybe?) swiveling arm with a joint at each end. The clamp opens about 1.5". I don't know who makes them, but they are pretty ingenious.

[BLP]

Life is pretty good up here, but I'm not recording as much as I was in NY... Too much research to be done!

Those clamps sound like the ultimate piano mic mounting solution. I've been in too many situations where the piano gets moved around during shows, etc. where that kind clamp on the lip could really make life a lot easier. I'll have to check them out. I might be getting down to NYC in a few weeks, so I'll be in touch!

[NorseHorse]

I have two of these for mounting mics in pianos:

Audix DFLEX : Dual pivot rim mounted clip for D series, SCX series.

Much cheaper than the Earthworks in-piano system and I can use whatever mics I see fit that day.

[Remoteness]

I love using my ROWI clamps for piano and such, but the ROWI corporation was purchased by another company and they decided to stop manufacturing that particular line of clamps.

IMO, the clamps Robert used are an excellent replacement for the ROWIs.
In many ways they out perform the ROWIs.

I didn't bring my camera to the shop today, so I cannot take a picture of the clamps Robert described in this thread, but I shall do it tomorrow sometime.

I sell the version Robert is using for an awesome price point.
Because of their MAP polices I cannot list my pricing on this puppy.
The MAP on this clamp is $34.95 USD.

I'm placing an order this week, so if anyone is interested please PM me and I will make sure I add your needs the purchase order.

[Remoteness]

I found a stock photo of that clamp on my computer, so here you go folks...

[Jay Kahrs]

Steve-O! Where else are you using those clamps with success?

Could they be attached to drum stands & stuff as an alternative to the LP claw? The reach looks a bit short for that... but I wonder...

[Remoteness]

Jay, IMO, when it comes to mounting on drum and cymbal stands they work much better than LP Claws.
The pivoting ball design gives you unlimited access to any mic angle position.

Man, you can mount them on all sorts of objects - just about anything you can imagine.

...And, they hold tight!

[boojum]

Originally Posted by NorseHorse

I have two of these for mounting mics in pianos:

Audix DFLEX : Dual pivot rim mounted clip for D series, SCX series.

Much cheaper than the Earthworks in-piano system and I can use whatever mics I see fit that day.

Oooh! $20! That's a keeper. A few of those would be good to have.

Thanks guys. ;o)