need help recording a louuud concert, please

[chichiko]

Hi all. I've been looking at this forum for a looong time, and now that I finally am going to attend a concert, I'm wondering what I would need to record it with my Hi-MD.

First of all, my unit: I have a Nhf800 and the Nh900's backlit remote(does this MD model allow rec-vol. adjustment while recording?).

Secondly, I've read about a battery box/module. For a death metal concert(Opeth btw), which I assume will be extremely loud, do I need one? Also, what type of stealthy mic should I get? cardios, binarauls? I don't want too much crowd noise and still want to have bass.(If someone can recommend me a specific model that'd be great!) Where would I plug it in, the MIC or LINE IN(or will the recording come out too low if i use the line in?) Next, using the manual REC vol., around where should i set it? 18/30? 25/30? Finally, do you guys thing Hi-SP will be sufficient for a live concert? I just don't want to use WAV and have to switch discs. Oh! almost forgot; where should I stand? centered, left, right, and about how many feet from the amps? Thanks.

I guess i just want a nice recording(this is a once in a lifetime chance) and have a month to make preparations...mission impossible style haha! Well, thanks to all for your help now and throughout my years using MD. This is a great forum, and a great bunch of MD fans.

[A440]

My standard concert gear is:

NHF800

Sound Professionals BMC-2 omnis (for maximum stealth) or Core Sound Low Cost Binaurals (only a little bigger).

Unless you are prepared to pay a lot of money, cardioid (directional) mics are going to cut off the bass and sound tinny. If you turn them while recording, you will notice it. Omnis are more forgiving.

Radio Shack Headphone Volume Control as an attenuator.

Mics-->RSHVC with volume all the way up-->Mic In

Manual Volume at 18/30 for a loud show .

I clip the mics to my shirt collar pointed left and right because I do most listening through headphones. If you want, you could point them both forward--at the width of your ears, about 6 inches apart--for speaker playback. Higher would be better--on a hat or glasses, perhaps--but since you turn your torso less than your head, I'm satisfied with the shirt collar. Obviously the mics should not be rubbing against anything.

You can hear some of the results in my album in the gallery. For cardioid with meager bass, try the Mars Volta track.

If you're handy, take a look at greenmachine's how-to for mounting them on eyeglasses.

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=11254&hl=

I've seen Opeth, and I remember they were loud but not deafeningly loud, which is what it would take to overload those mics. A battery box helps prevent the mics from overloading at those levels. If you are truly worried, or the place you'll see them is extremely bass-boomy, then substitute a battery box (from Sound Professionals or Microphone Madness) and go Mic--BattBox--Line-in. But your recording will come out quieter, and I can't advise you on what manual volume level to use.

Yes, you can change the volume level on the NHF800 during recording, and in fact on all Sony recorders since the MZ-N9xx. But it is better to set it conservatively--18/30 is quite conservative--and leave it alone.

Where to stand? Wherever it sounds good, and every room is different. Often that is near the soundboard. Sometimes, if the band is not using a stereo stage mix, it's near a PA column. Trust your ears, not your eyes. If you can move around during the opening act, try various spots.

[The Low Volta]

hi and welcome to MDCF chichiko,

this thread I started a while ago describing my first experiences as a stealth recordist also contain quite a number of things to keep in mind when going for a clean recording... and once the gallery is functional again, be sure to check my Pukkelpop 2005 recordings (stereo omni mics -> batt box -> line in with levels between 20-25/30)

BTW, while the NH900's remote does allow you change the rec levels (IIRC) it doesn't show them visually. so there is no indication of clipping etc. The RM-MC40ELK remote (see my signature) does show these and could be a nice rec gadget if you can spare the money... (buyfromjapan sells these on ebay)