Live recording checklist.

JohnnyPraze · 19th October 2009

I could really use some help. I am going to be doing a live recording in two weeks and I'm not going to have much time to set-up. I want to make sure I have everything covered.

The goal is to mix to disc while recording. (CD's are going to be made available that night.)

My plan is to run 24 direct outs into a Soundcraft Spirit Live 4 so I have control over the mix going to the CD recorder. (I'm not going to juggle both boards, I'm just going to handle the recording)

I could use a breakdown for my notes so I don't overlook anything.

So If you were setting up, what would you do? (Direct out of Live board> Line in on recording board> Master out to EQ, Comp, then CD recorder?)

Also, I know I'm gonna need a pair of Isolating headphones... anything you can recommend that I may not think of?

Rick Sutton · 19th October 2009

The main thing I would say is to be very careful using a CD recorder as the capture device. I have found them to be very prone to skipping or freezing when they are physically vibrated either from the table being hit or even from airborne vibration.

Don S · 19th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

The main thing I would say is to be very careful using a CD recorder as the capture device. I have found them to be very prone to skipping or freezing when they are physically vibrated either from the table being hit or even from airborne vibration.

I second that. Also - USE A BACKUP! Extremely high SPL's can also cause problems with some external hard drives. I would rent a quality 2 track machine like a Sound Devices (writing to a CF in addition to the HD), set at 16/44.1. Then use a laptop to top/ tail and write a master. Use the best closed cans you can find. It's difficult to make mix decisions when you're getting a lot of (usually low end) bleed. Be set up and ready for the sound check, and treat the house mixer with lots of respect.

JohnnyPraze · 19th October 2009

This is going to be my first live recording where I am running the show. I am unsure about a few things...

One being effects. If I run direct outs out of the house board, I'm going to lose any sound processing on those tracks correct? How can I resolve that? (The main vocalist is going to have some compression and reverb)

Also, they want the ambiance/audience recorded. I was thinking about running left and right condensers straight to the recording board. Is that the norm?

RobAnderson · 19th October 2009

If it were me, I'd look into renting a 24 track machine.

Mixing live to 2-TR is difficult under the best of circumstances - much more so on a pair of headphones while being in the venue with the live sound.

FWIW - I am also wary of recording to CD-R. Regardless, if this recording is of any importance, make sure you have a backup of some kind.

bishopthomas · 19th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyPraze

One being effects. If I run direct outs out of the house board, I'm going to lose any sound processing on those tracks correct? How can I resolve that? (The main vocalist is going to have some compression and reverb)

It depends on the console. Some direct outs are pre insert, some are post. You will lose the reverb, but you could take a direct out from the return channel of the effects (maybe).

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyPraze

Also, they want the ambiance/audience recorded. I was thinking about running left and right condensers straight to the recording board. Is that the norm?

Yep.

JohnnyPraze · 19th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobAnderson

If it were me, I'd look into renting a 24 track machine.

Mixing live to 2-TR is difficult under the best of circumstances - much more so on a pair of headphones while being in the venue with the live sound.

FWIW - I am also wary of recording to CD-R. Regardless, if this recording is of any importance, make sure you have a backup of some kind.

I have an Alesis24HD, but I've only used it once. I think it would take too long to mix down the tracks for duplication...

**Remoteness** · 19th October 2009

I would rent, borrow or grab a splitter and avoid the FOH desk altogether.
You could split at FOH, so you don't need extra snake cable.

With that said, if you could get a splitter, perhaps you may want to also get a long snake, so you can set up in a more isolated area.

Trying to produce a quality stereo mix your first time out can be a tough one to pull off. Setting up in an isolated environment will help you concentrate on you mix.

bongo · 19th October 2009

Exactly what the Master Remotester said. You don't want to mess with inserts. What happens if they happen to be post fader?

Depending where you are in PA, I could help you out with a 24 channel splitter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remoteness

I would rent, borrow or grab a splitter and avoid the FOH desk altogether.
You could split at FOH, so you don't need extra snake cable.

With that said, if you could get a splitter, perhaps you may want to also get a long snake, so you can set up in a more isolated area.

Trying to produce a quality stereo mix your first time out can be a tough one to pull off. Setting up in an isolated environment will help you concentrate on you mix.

JohnnyPraze · 19th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongo

Exactly what the Master Remotester said. You don't want to mess with inserts. What happens if they happen to be post fader?

Depending where you are in PA, I could help you out with a 24 channel splitter.

That's real decent of you, but I'm in the Pittsburgh area.

I don't know what else to do...

chris319 · 20th October 2009

Quote:

Depending where you are in PA, I could help you out with a 24 channel splitter. That's real decent of you, but I'm in the Pittsburgh area.

I don't know what else to do...

Time is on your side. See if Mr. bongo will ship his splitter to you via 2nd or 3rd day delivery. It should arrive in time for your gig and then you ship it back to him with you covering all shipping costs.

Quote:

Direct out of Live board> Line in on recording board> Master out to EQ, Comp, then CD recorder?

Are you sure you'll need an equalizer and a compressor?

JohnnyPraze · 25th October 2009

If I use the Line-ins on the FOH board as direct outs (Set to first click to enable prefade signal) to the recording board, how can a reverb unit be patched into one of the channels?

Also, how do I ensure the effects are being sent to the recording board?

JohnnyPraze · 29th October 2009

So Everything has changed...

The sound man dropped out last minute, leaving me to do both.

Here is what I am working with:

Soundcraft Spirit Live 24 channel board > Alesis HD24 recorder (via D/O's or inserts at first click) Notebook as back up

I wont be trying to mix live anymore.

Still have a few questions since analogue is foreign to me.

What do I do about The Live ambient mics? I want to record them, but don't want them playing through the house sound. How do I achieve this?

Also, since I have no interface on my notebook, I will just be using the 1/8" line in jack. Where should I get that signal from, Headphone out?

19th October 2009	#1
JohnnyPraze Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2005 Location: PA - 724 Posts: 160 Thread Starter	Live recording checklist. I could really use some help. I am going to be doing a live recording in two weeks and I'm not going to have much time to set-up. I want to make sure I have everything covered. The goal is to mix to disc while recording. (CD's are going to be made available that night.) My plan is to run 24 direct outs into a Soundcraft Spirit Live 4 so I have control over the mix going to the CD recorder. (I'm not going to juggle both boards, I'm just going to handle the recording) I could use a breakdown for my notes so I don't overlook anything. So If you were setting up, what would you do? (Direct out of Live board> Line in on recording board> Master out to EQ, Comp, then CD recorder?) Also, I know I'm gonna need a pair of Isolating headphones... anything you can recommend that I may not think of?

19th October 2009	#5
RobAnderson Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: NY New York a wonderful town Posts: 725 16 Reviews written	If it were me, I'd look into renting a 24 track machine. Mixing live to 2-TR is difficult under the best of circumstances - much more so on a pair of headphones while being in the venue with the live sound. FWIW - I am also wary of recording to CD-R. Regardless, if this recording is of any importance, make sure you have a backup of some kind. __________________ "Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense." - G. Stein 1946 The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour. - Japanese Proverb "Look into his face and hear the music of the ages. Don't pay too much attention to the sounds--for if you do, you may miss the music." - George Ives http://www.andersonsoundrecording.com

19th October 2009	#8
Remoteness Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,405	I would rent, borrow or grab a splitter and avoid the FOH desk altogether. You could split at FOH, so you don't need extra snake cable. With that said, if you could get a splitter, perhaps you may want to also get a long snake, so you can set up in a more isolated area. Trying to produce a quality stereo mix your first time out can be a tough one to pull off. Setting up in an isolated environment will help you concentrate on you mix. __________________ Steve Remote AuraSonicLtd.com the home of ASL Mobile & Location Production Remoteness on the Linkedin Network What about my Facebook Profile? Remoteness on Myspace

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19th October 2009	#2
Rick Sutton Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,058	The main thing I would say is to be very careful using a CD recorder as the capture device. I have found them to be very prone to skipping or freezing when they are physically vibrated either from the table being hit or even from airborne vibration.

25th October 2009	#12
JohnnyPraze Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2005 Location: PA - 724 Posts: 160 Thread Starter	If I use the Line-ins on the FOH board as direct outs (Set to first click to enable prefade signal) to the recording board, how can a reverb unit be patched into one of the channels? Also, how do I ensure the effects are being sent to the recording board?

29th October 2009	#13
JohnnyPraze Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2005 Location: PA - 724 Posts: 160 Thread Starter	So Everything has changed... The sound man dropped out last minute, leaving me to do both. Here is what I am working with: Soundcraft Spirit Live 24 channel board > Alesis HD24 recorder (via D/O's or inserts at first click) Notebook as back up I wont be trying to mix live anymore. Still have a few questions since analogue is foreign to me. What do I do about The Live ambient mics? I want to record them, but don't want them playing through the house sound. How do I achieve this? Also, since I have no interface on my notebook, I will just be using the 1/8" line in jack. Where should I get that signal from, Headphone out?