Gig report - Live jazz at local art gallery, with pics and recording.

Corran · 5th June 2010

After my first outing with a pair of Neumann U89i's, I was excited to try them as close-up mics, specifically for jazz. Finally got my chance with an excellent jazz group from Atlanta.

This group played for a premier of a student film which I helped do sound for. The setup was 6 channels, one U89i for sax, one for upright bass, a stereo AKG C422 mic for drum overheads, and a stereo B&O BM5 ribbon mic heavily modified on guitar. I decided on stereo micing the guitar amp to give it a more "spacious sound," which I've done once before and it worked well.

These directly fed an M-audio Fast Track Ultra, with two channels from an M-audio DMP3, USB to my Lenovo netbook. Not the most high-brow pres/conversion but it worked. This was a very small area and I did not have much room or time to setup my HD24XR, plus I'm not really getting paid much...

Anyway, I've very excited about the sound of the Neumann's and the group as a whole. I thought I'd do a little share 'n' tell here. Let me know what you think. This is a rough mix of one track. A little reverb, EQ, and compression, but nothing serious. The pictures give you an idea of mic placement.

dastrick · 5th June 2010

Sounds great. Nice simple setup.

How's that Lenovo laptop? I'm thinking about getting one for my mobile rig.

Corran · 5th June 2010

I love the little guy - I originally bought it for my graduate studies as a schoolwork comp but I use it for recording all the time. It has an ExpressCard slot that I can plug in a Firewire adapter card in and stream in ADAT from an M-audio Lightbridge too.

Unfortunately the newer models replaced the ExpressCard slot with a newer video card or something, which kinda stinks. I also got mine upgraded to 2 gigs of RAM. I'm running XP.

As with all store-bought computers, I had to clean it up and delete all non-essential programs. After that everything's been gravy.

cyjanopan · 5th June 2010

nice! everything sounds like it should

**Remoteness** · 5th June 2010

Nice going!

boojum · 6th June 2010

I'd brag a ton if it were mine.

Corran · 6th June 2010

Thanks guys! Really though, anything I could improve upon? Someone told me the sax is too loud.

**Remoteness** · 6th June 2010

Well, since you asked...

I feel the drums can be a bit more upfront.
Consider a more rounder (fuller) sound for the drums.
The cymbals are upfront; I just feel the kit should sound fuller so the bass can sit better in the mix. Once you get the drums and bass balance in order (I believe) the sax will not sound as loud in the mix.

That said, all in all the capture sounds very good.

More power to you!

Corran · 6th June 2010

Cool, I'll work on that, thanks for the thoughts Steve!

amfortas2006 · 9th June 2010

Nice photos Corran! What did you use to make those?

Corran · 9th June 2010

Nikon D90 + 35mm f/2

Didn't bring anything else due to having all the audio equipment, but I sure missed my super-wide and 85/1.8.

6th June 2010	#8
Remoteness Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,405	Well, since you asked... I feel the drums can be a bit more upfront. Consider a more rounder (fuller) sound for the drums. The cymbals are upfront; I just feel the kit should sound fuller so the bass can sit better in the mix. Once you get the drums and bass balance in order (I believe) the sax will not sound as loud in the mix. That said, all in all the capture sounds very good. More power to you! __________________ 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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5th June 2010	#2
dastrick Gear interested Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	Sounds great. Nice simple setup. How's that Lenovo laptop? I'm thinking about getting one for my mobile rig.

5th June 2010	#3
Corran Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Location: South Georgia Posts: 2,929 Thread Starter	I love the little guy - I originally bought it for my graduate studies as a schoolwork comp but I use it for recording all the time. It has an ExpressCard slot that I can plug in a Firewire adapter card in and stream in ADAT from an M-audio Lightbridge too. Unfortunately the newer models replaced the ExpressCard slot with a newer video card or something, which kinda stinks. I also got mine upgraded to 2 gigs of RAM. I'm running XP. As with all store-bought computers, I had to clean it up and delete all non-essential programs. After that everything's been gravy.

5th June 2010	#4
cyjanopan Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 922 1 Review written	nice! everything sounds like it should

6th June 2010	#6
boojum Lives for gear Joined: May 2007 Location: Astoria, OR, US&A Posts: 2,311 1 Review written	I'd brag a ton if it were mine.

9th June 2010	#10
amfortas2006 Gear addict Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 432	Nice photos Corran! What did you use to make those?

9th June 2010	#11
Corran Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Location: South Georgia Posts: 2,929 Thread Starter	Nikon D90 + 35mm f/2 Didn't bring anything else due to having all the audio equipment, but I sure missed my super-wide and 85/1.8.