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Using An Attenuator

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BillyBoy

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Is there going to be a support act? Ideal for getting a basic level. I was at a very loud gig last night and didn't need to be quite as 'stealthy' as normal as I got myself into a little alcove so I got to position the mics easily and was able to keep an eye on the levels. My mics are non powered so I have to use the mic input and had to record at 16/30 with the attenuator at 100%.  Glad I did because the sound cranked up considerably during the show, but the levels never got close to max-ing out.

No support act for any of the concerts that we are going to record.... At a concert in Manchester last week my friend set her NetMd to 50%.. attenuator to maximum... mic on low sens... vol control on manual... Her mic does not have battery support..

She sent me the resulting minidisc.. I recorded it into Audition.. and the volume was so low .. it appeared almost as a straight lint... I had to pump it up soooo much just to hear it .. this was totally unacceptable... This is why I have asked her to use the attenuator but turn the vol setting to maximum for Saturday's concert.. If this still doesn't produce a decent volume.. I will ger her to try the Sunday concert without the attenuator.. and set the vol to 50%.. and see what we get...

Edited by BillyBoy
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even if there's no possibility to properly set the levels beforehand, it's still better to correct it during the show and to get at least a part of it in acceptable quality than having a throughout unenjoyable result

I will try to do this during the concerts that I attend .. Tue... Wed.. and Sat June 4th...

However I'm not sure if I can get my friend to do this ...tomorrow and Sunday.. but I will try...

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even if there's no possibility to properly set the levels beforehand, it's still better to correct it during the show and to get at least a part of it in acceptable quality than having a throughout unenjoyable result

I can see your point, but by messing with the levels during a recording , you could ruin a perfectly good recording. I know there is a certain amount of trial and error involved, and if it's not a show you are too bothered about getting a good recording of, and you can do it without getting a tap on the shoulder, then experiment away.

BTW, BillyBoy-the tape over the Maplins attenuator volume control is a good idea because that wheel could easily be accidentally moved, and you need the volume at 100% on that. I think you'll find that you'll get a far more acceptable recording if you simply move the mics from where the first recording was made

Good luck with it anyway!!

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I can see your point, but  by messing with the levels during a recording , you could ruin a perfectly good recording. I know there is a certain amount of trial and error involved, and if it's not a show you are too bothered about getting a good recording of, and you can do it without getting a tap on the shoulder, then experiment away.

BTW, BillyBoy-the tape over the Maplins attenuator volume control is a good idea because that wheel could easily be accidentally moved, and you need the volume at 100% on that. I think you'll find that you'll get a far more acceptable recording if you simply move the mics from where the first recording was made

Good luck with it anyway!!

Thank you so much for all the help.. There are 5 concerts over the next week that we will record.. My friend will record 2 of them in Birmingham, I will record 2 in London.. and we will both record a MAJOR concert at Woburn Abbey.. on Sat June 4th.. we expect about 80,000 people there.. and we have 4th row centre stage seats.. This one is veeeeery important to us..

Edited by BillyBoy
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  • 2 weeks later...

Looks like you'll get another chance at Neil Diamond....

Feedback after the concerts...

First of all... thanks for all your help and advice...

All 3 concert recordings were a great success...

I used the EMC-719 mic with my HiMD.. Volume set at 20/30.. with NO attenuator.. the concerts were very bass.. but the recording is almost perfect.. No distortion.. and no overwhelming bass.. in fact I have added a bit of bass using Audition... The result is very near excellent

My friend recorded some of the concerts usinh her MD.. and a very cheap mic.. She used the attenuator with the volume at 95%.. there was no distortion.. but the recording was very bass.. I had to lift it quite a lot in Audition.. The result is very acceptable ..

Thakns again for your help..

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