Acoustic Recording for TV -- Very Limited Equipment

[Verminhater]

Hi All,

I have been presented with a situation on VERY short notice..lol.
I have to capture a live acoustic performance with very limited gear. Here are my instruments to be recorded.
1. Acoustic Guitar
2. Acoustic Bass Guitar
3. Ca'jun
4. Vocal (One) Singer does not control dynamics well with HH mic.

Here is the equipment list that I have available:
(4) regular mic stands - no booms
(2) Shure SM58 Microphones
(4) EV 635A/B Microphones
(2) Audio Technica U853A cardioid condenser hanging mics (more for choirs)
1202 VLZ

Any and all suggestions are welcome on how to achieve the best results.....

Thanks in Advance

[boojum]

Live or editable?

[chris319]

What is instrument number 3?

They're playing as a group or individually? Assuming they're playing as a group, SM58s on the guitars, a 635A for the vocalist and maybe one for the Ca'jun?

That's not very much to work with but you have to play the hand you're dealt.

[Verminhater]

Originally Posted by boojum

Live or editable?

Live my friend...one shot do or die.....very little time time to rehearse at all. I think I need to "capture" the group as a room recording. Singer is very young and does not know how to work a mic live so I feel I need to capture them as a group and avoid sounding so direct it's stale. No outboard gear......

[Verminhater]

Originally Posted by chris319

What is instrument number 3?

They're playing as a group or individually? Assuming they're playing as a group, SM58s on the guitars, a 635A for the vocalist and maybe one for the Ca'jun?

That's not very much to work with but you have to play the hand you're dealt.

Sorry I was given the incorrect spelling here is the description...
A cajón (, 'crate', 'drawer', or 'box') is a kind of box drum played by slapping the front face (generally thin plywood) with the hands.

As I replied before I think in the groups best interest I need to "capture" them as a group and avoid direct inputs. The 635A are hanging choir mics, and will not work as a vocal close up (small diaphragm condenser and no wind screen)

I am basically looking for a mic technic for what is available to "capture" the group....Also these musicians are a Hard Rock Band and not really acomplished acoustic fellows...e.......If you know what I mean, this is a one-off and they are electric 99.99% of the time...

Thanks again.....

[EV676]

+1 what Chris said. Much better than an overall perspective. The EV 635 is a dynamic omni and will be more forgiving of the vocalist than the Shure (no proximity effect, though it will pick up plosives).

What puzzles me a bit is that you say the 635a's are hanging mics. If that's the case, the I'd give the vocalist the Shure, put it on a stand and tell him/her to sing into it from about 12 inches back. That way you'll have more direct vocal and can balance the hanging EV mics to match. BTW, use as few of those EV's as you can get away with to avoid phasing etc.

Good luck!

[chris319]

Well, you could hang one of your choir mics over the group but if you don't give the vocalist a hand mic I can almost guarantee you that the vocalist won't be heard over the instruments, bad mic technique or not.

[Verminhater]

Originally Posted by EV676

What puzzles me a bit is that you say the 635a's are hanging mics. Good luck!

Sorry that was a typo...I meant the 835 are hanging the EV 635 are Omni Dynamic!!.Little tired lately with some overdrives in the schedule.