Dream Location/Live Recording Rigs

[Murton]

We all have gear lustings and think of all the combinations for rigs if only we had the money. I thought it would be pretty interesting to hear what people would setup if they had the money to make a setup a few rungs up the ladder compared to where they are now. Keep it semi-realistic, something actually attainable if you got a cash boost/saved up etc, nothing outrageous, but still something you lust after.

My dream setup: 48 channel Active 4 way splitter, 2x48 channel remote pres with MADI converter, recording rack with Pc main and X48 backup, M7CL mix/monitor.

Indepth:
Active splitter rack with multipin output, patch panel for input, powercon power input, power conditioner, UPS. 48 channels.

Preamp rack. 48 channels of Yamaha AD8HR preamps going into a RME MADI converter. Power conditioner, UPS. Multipin input, power con power input, network cable sockets. X2

Recording rack, rack computer with RMR madi input card. RME MADI to ADAT converter, tascam X48 backup. First MADI stream from Pre rack 1 runs into MADT card, second pre rack into RME converter and X58.

Monitoring + FOH if I am mixing Yamaha M7CL 48 with a big ben and MADI cards in M7, big ben clocks into the madi stream, clocking the preamps over MADI and the recording rigs. Monitor with cans, monitors from the M7 or DA on the recording PC.

Mics: haven't really thought of it much,

[bengl3rt]

Hmm.

My "realistic" dream rig:
Metric Halo ULN-8, Pair of Earthworks QTC-30/40/50, a few DPA 4006, pair of Neumann KM184.

My pipe dream rig:
The Digital Audio Denmark/Pyramix system that can capture DSD/DXD for SACD mastering purposes.

[7rojo7]

Originally Posted by Murton

Active splitter rack with multipin output, patch panel for input, powercon power input, power conditioner, UPS. 48 channels.

Preamp rack. 48 channels of Yamaha AD8HR preamps going into a RME MADI converter. Power conditioner, UPS. Multipin input, power con power input, network cable sockets. X2

Recording rack, rack computer with RMR madi input card. RME MADI to ADAT converter, tascam X48 backup. First MADI stream from Pre rack 1 runs into MADT card, second pre rack into RME converter and X58.

I would use a power conditioner after the UPS and use that output to run all the front end, isolating the lines returning to the FOH Amps and monitor land. Different power conditioners in the same system can cause problems.

I have an 8kVA UPS followed by a isolation transformer of equal capability that outputs 230V on 2 - 115 legs (balanceed if you will) distributed to rack mount strips with powercon in and out and 8 IEC230 outlets, this gets to my racks.
UPS do not like to see balanced power or see the neutral and line reversed, they go snap, crackle, pop.
Crookwood might be better choice on the pre side and with all those pres why would you need them on the console too? You would only need to split the line outs to the console or send them via MADI. On the recording end a simple mult would do (primary and backup system). I see it simpler if everything's in digital first hand and gets distributed where it has to go.
Of course this would be mic>pre>converter>distribution, as a recorder I would recieve 1 digital signal with black or TC and do what I want to it from there, in case of nuclear attack I can raise the white flag and say it wasn't me.
Full redundancy, double mics, double pres etc... next step down Mic>splitter>different pres for FOH, monitor, seperate pres and converters for recording, backup, next step down Mic>splitter>send to FOH, monitor, direct to you> preamps> multed line signal for primary and back up (alternative, digital out to backup = less converters)
I think a couple of digital black boxes, or for 48 tks 4 black boxes would be safe to record and backup. I like the idea that you can get a digital signal with just the converted flat mic. This would help in the broadcast mix too, just to concentrate on the the given signal and not have to follow the whole signal chain (1 mic, one level for all), just cuts out one step in the process (hope that someone intelligent is upstream) Digital distribution, less cables, hi fidelity, 32 channel black box with MADI would seem really useful or stackable 16 channel modules, 4 would fit on a MADI snake (64) or are some still at 56? I see a new world I think 16 is the perfect size for pro modules, if you break 16 you'll probably need 32 (ideally, a mix of 16 and 8 channel devices from the majors)
Will a black box record 64 channels?
So, I would skip the ADAT and X48 and take a madi feed with Sync and MIDI and record it to 2 Black boxes, I would hook up a computer only if I had to provide a mix and I would get the signals from one of the black boxes.
If the mains go down and you lose the MADI line. chances are everyone else has too and at that point it's important as to who gives the mics phantom, if the mains are down chances are that the backline went down too. As the UPS will save you from your disasters, it will not likely save you from those of others, you will lose digital, and what could save those few sour desperate notes, nothing. Even fully redundant, the musicians will more than likely stop playing (force majeur).
Remote pres with MADI connectibility, MADI distribution to all mixing, recording points, everyone can do what they want, independently.

[Murton]

Some interesting points you brought forward.

I would have to say the setup I posted would be my a fair while down the track setup.

Ben: Very nice, I love Earthworks mics, I've only used a pair of TC20's and they are pretty damn nice.

My real world obtainable rig includes adding a JoeCo Black Box recorder, more mics, leads, stands and some nice pres and converters and hopefully soon: a splitter and my rig will be complete and ready to start on a different rig setup more along the lines of the one I posted.

Keep them coming guys!

[bengl3rt]

Originally Posted by Murton

Very nice, I love Earthworks mics, I've only used a pair of TC20's and they are pretty damn nice.

Ah, I would love to be able to say the same. Recording is not something I get paid for, however, I just do it "for love" as a hobby. So I can't justify spending quite that much on it

[boojum]

Concertgebouw with an SD788T and some DPA 406n's.

[jnorman]

sonosax miniR82
sonosax sx-xd4
pr neumann km131s
pr neumann km140s
royer sf24

to supplement that, i want my own 15th century stone church, with a nice bosendorfer grand piano.

if i need more than that, i am going to hire ben maas...

[sinnexz]

Im thinking about assembling this rig for violin recording. tell me if im on the right track with this.

so macbook pro, with logic 9, presonus firestudio, mercenary II, and 2 UA710, stereo pair of km183 (omni), small diaphragm mic ... not sure what exactly...

[EarlG]

This is the rig I am currently piecing together:

• Aaton Cantar-X2 with an internal SSD drive, eventually to be linked to a second Cantar to form a 34-channel/ 16-track system
• 2 x Nagra EMP 2-channel mic pres
• 2 x Nexto DI eXtreme, for fast in-between backups from CF
• 8 x Schoeps Collette-series analogue mics
• various dynamic mics
• Ultrasone HFI-680/ Denon AH-D5000 headphones
• a long list of accessories
• a GPS tracker embedded in each Cantar!

[9sbean]

Originally Posted by jnorman

i want my own 15th century stone church, with a nice bosendorfer grand piano.

Yes, go go go! Absolutely my dream as well. Church by a lake away from earthquake location, and far away from sea shore.

[Remoteness]

Man, I've been looking for something like that for years.

Church, high school complex, theater space are all are in my radar screen.

[LX3]

The main things on my wish-list:

64 channels of Millenia remote pres.
Studer Vista 5.
A period detached house in south-west London with giant garden and lots of off-street parking for under £800,000.
More time.

Dreams are important I think.

(Edit - oops, just noticed you said "realistic".)

[Remoteness]

...Yeah, but sometimes you have to live out those dreams;-)

[LX3]

Mate, I feel like I'm living the dream already Put it this way, I do have to pinch myself occasionally to check it's really me.

That particular dream involving a truck with a Studer and a big rack of HV3-Rs in the back is a bit out of reach for now though. Besides the small matter of the $250,000 it would cost to equip it, I'd need somewhere to park it!

Re churches, a friend of mine in Maryland has recently bought just that, in a pretty location outside the big city. With attached two-storey "annex" flat, and parking for 50 cars! Property is so cheap out there... You could seriously buy ten of those churches for the price of a nasty 2 bedroom terrace here in London.

He is of course turning his church into some sort of living/studio/performance space. Must pay him a visit...

[Remoteness]

I was in Maryland a couple of weeks ago looking at properties and such.

[claying]

Originally Posted by boojum

Concertgebouw

+1
and, of course, with the Concertgebouworkest/Mariss Jansons!

then i don't care what gear i need...

[Murton]

I would agree, one of my dreams is to own my very own venue specced out exactly how I imagine, both gear wise and layout.

I'm almost finished my 'medium' sized recording rig, just need to buy 8 more channels of preamps and a splitter. I've racked up a hell of a lot of material on the current rig, over 1TB of recordings.

Baby steps people, then comes the day when you can take a bigger step and they all start counting together.

[EarlG]

Some of my remote ambitions:

• concerts on the summits of Ecuador's 30 mainland volcanoes including Chimborazo, the highest point in the world (where no Studer dares tread
• erupting volcanoes (at safe distances and preferably without musicians on top
• an unbeatable record number of guitarists performing together
• free location gigs that pay (yeah, I'm banking on nothing to make a living!)
• my own deli, with an all-glass live room in which several shows are recorded each day
• the most Cantars ever linked and wirelessly controlled
• private presidential musical events
• a series of my own albums made in bizarre locations
• cave concerts
• an on-location cruise ship

[Teddy Ray]

what id like to have

. 6 gefell mk221/josephson c617 with 4 Schoeps CMC621>>>DAV Preamps>>>>>>Mytek 8x192>>> Zaxxcom Deva

or the ultimate
3 Neumann m50s>>>tube console of some kind>>>>StellaVox Sp-8

[mingustoo]

very simple here....my dream live location is my club that was just shut by the man for ridiculous bureaucratic reasons. The satisfaction I get from making a good band sound great is immense and being able to capture the performance is (was) a dream come true.

[EarlG]

I'm really sorry to hear that mingustoo. I understand how you must feel and it's probably of little comfort now, but one door closed is another one opened. Never give up. Your dream can't be taken from you unless you allow it. You will get through this and come out better for it. All the very best, mate.