Recording a Pop Rock band live

[Sinewave]

Hey Guys, i struck a deal with a bunch of local guys who needed a couple of songs recorded for a demo, I took the opportunity to do some much needed practice in live recording especially for a pop band. the recordings are on for next week.
The place i'm using to do the recording is at a local school in the evening, in a hall that they use for thier choir, a very nice sounding hall so i don't percieve any ambient problems, even though this a demo recording I'm taking it seriously to gain some practice for any future jobs.
it's a five man band, guitarist , bass,keyboardist ,drummer,lead vocalist. Since i don't have much mikes, i'm using an earthworks QTC 40 as a stereo pair to capture the entire band live and then use some additional mikes for close up miking for the drums and bass.
My problem that I'm thinking of is how do i arrange the band to get a good balance ?, I was thinking of having the drums a little further back the bass cabinet a little further forward but to the left of the lead vocalist,lead guitar to the right but a little closer to the lead vocalist, and keyboards to the furtherest left.
And also how do i separate or lessen the spill between kick drum and bass guitar? Gobos?.
I am use to jazz artist and folk singers and thier band arrangeing themselves for me when i record, but since i asked the band to try this demo live, i have to do the arranging, So some info and advice i would happily need,thank you for your time.

[Remoteness]

So, you struck a deal with a local band that wants to record a two song demo. Your do diligence in taking the opportunity to practice the technique of live recording is an excellent idea and especially cool by my standards.

An evening at the local school’s choir hall sounds like a good plan. The fact that it’s a very nice sounding hall is a serious plus. Was the venue your idea or theirs?

A five piece band including the vocalist is not too bad -- Are you planning to set them up in live concert style or use the hall as a large recording space? Either way can work for you but, they’re obviously accomplished with different approaches.

Based on the fact that you have limited microphone access I assume you’re going to set them up in the “live concert” mode. So, the Earthworks QTC40 is your stereo pair – What other mics do you have available and how are you going to capture the vocals? Are you going to setup a small PA and mic it or do have another concept in mind? Knowing your mic options will help use with your instrument alternatives.

A good balance is a relative term. If the band sets up a particular way and you setup your stereo mic that balance is relative to what that mic is captures. Panning and balancing the individual mics with the stereo pair to create a new balance is always an option. Keeping the integrity of how they usually setup is another way to approach this project. If the right is a bit heavier because the bass is there or the guitar is louder on the left because they just took a solo -- Who cares as long as it sounds good to your ear and mono comparability is maximized. FYI: Always listen to your mix in mono. It’s how I do it each and every time I mix or track a recording.

Instead of moving them around, how about setting them up like they would in concert and just play around with their volumes and such?

Does this make any sense to you?

[Sinewave]

Man thank you, it made a lot of sense, I've got some fairly good ideas and advice from other people, but somehow you made things a lot clearer.

Was the venue your idea or theirs?

It was mine.

Are you planning to set them up in live concert style or use the hall as a large recording space?

large recording space.

Are you going to setup a small PA and mic it

Very good idea, i think i was approaching the idea from a live jazz setup kind of thing, this could give me an opportunity to be experimental especially with limited resourses.
I have been listening to CD's lately with a live feel, especially rock - and - Roll, they have really impressed me, Thanks once again Remoteness for your time.

Do maybe 30 or 40 of these and then you'll have some idea of what works and what doesn't! I am still learning after 35 years as a professional.

<L>

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Lou Judson

Do maybe 30 or 40 of these and then you'll have some idea of what works and what doesn't! I am still learning after 35 years as a professional.

<L>

I'm still working on being a professional...

I learn something new everyday of the week!

There is so much information to input!

[Han]

You will keep learning till the very end. :D

On topic: recording jazz, folk and such is just registration of what's happening.
Recording a rock band is creating illusion, drums sound bigger than life.

So, if you record the rockband with a stereo pair on the sweet spot, it'll sound like a band in a hall.

If you want it to sound like most rockbands sound on a (demo) CD, close micing is the way to go.

[Sinewave]

So, if you record the rockband with a stereo pair on the sweet spot, it'll sound like a band in a hall.

Understood, I think i will probaly rent some additional mics.

Do maybe 30 or 40 of these and then you'll have some idea of what works and what doesn't! I am still learning after 35 years as a professional.

i know what you mean, LOL.