Praciticality of using microtrack recorder to capture soundboard feed

[6079]

I'm looking at accessing the soundboard for live recordings. My knowledge is limited and incomplete, so I'll try to explain my questions as well as I can express them.

My goal is to get a complete soundboard recording, as opposed to simply patching into the house mix. Let's assume, the sound engineer is unable or unwilling to save you this task by handling a separate recording mix for you.

As I understand it, your options are to connect some sort of microtrack recorder to the various bus outputs of the soundboard and capture the audio there. I know there are various microtracks with inputs ranging from 4 - 16 or more. I'd prefer to not have to group any channels together, but instead use a recorder with enough outputs to get each individual track. But this leads to another question as to using a 4 track recorder. I've seen the Edirol R-44 has four tracks and I have to wonder if that wouldn't be just fine for the purposes of mixing after the show, compared to 16 tracks. I'm thinking you wouldn't necessarily want to pan the bass or lead guitar anyway, right? As a side question, how many tracks does a pop/rock band with a standard guitar, bass, drum, singer setup use?

So to do this, you obviously need a nice recorder that can record each track individually. Then you have to physically connect a cable from each output of the soundboard to the recorder. I've seen the "snake" cables, but even so, I have to wonder if a dozen or more cables/inputs would become a hazard or nuisance for this already accommodating engineer?

Furthermore, you have to put the recorder somewhere. I will want to be away from the mixer during the show. Assuming there wasn't an out of the way space at the mixing desk that wasn't being used, my only thought was to use some gaffing tape and some sort of fabric, to tape it to the side of the mixing wall. How might that work?

Now for a quick summary. I'm in a bit of a scramble to do all of this in a couple days. If I got my hands on this microtrack recorder and the necessary cables, what are my odds of success? I mean, if I have the thing recording, and I see the levels aren't clipping, are there any common, or dangerous mistakes I could make? I'll probably have to get into that later, but my main question is if this is practical.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

[Strungup]

well , The drums will take several channels by themselves , so bring the drums out of a sub mix to a stereo image saves inputs on the recorder .

EX, drums have 8 channels , assign those channels to a sub mix down to two , after the fader/pan stage of the mixer , they will sound ok , but not great ,

then you will have more channels for the other instruments

A multitrack recorder , will need the ability to record multiple channels simultaneously , not Multiple inputs down to a TWO track input .Make sure of that .

a LARGE FAST HDD in it will be of great benefit , reducing dropouts , or other oddities .

you will if you do it that way , still have the ability Afterwards , to do some Mixing and adjustment of the recorded sound , as that each instrument will have it's own track .

The other way , is the Firewire /Multi input interface , and a pretty powerful computer , and good software , that does the same thing .

I like this one ...... 24 tracks , 36 inputs , flexible signal routing not bad for the price

All of these can be found here

http://www.fullcompass.com/category/Record...mbinations.html

[6079]

Thanks for that.

In doing this yourself, have you found it easy to hook up to the soundboard without being a nuisance? How about storing it/taping it to something while you are in another area?

Is this considered to be too involved to a sound engineer if you politely presented this to him?

[Strungup]

Thanks for that.

In doing this yourself, have you found it easy to hook up to the soundboard without being a nuisance? How about storing it/taping it to something while you are in another area?

Is this considered to be too involved to a sound engineer if you politely presented this to him?

Depends on the Band being recorded ,If you are "With the Band" meaning freinds of , or assigned to record them etc

If your not ,.... " In The Know " then the sound engineer wont let you get near his gear

[6079]

Depends on the Band being recorded ,If you are "With the Band" meaning freinds of , or assigned to record them etc

If your not ,.... " In The Know " then the sound engineer wont let you get near his gear

So for reference, are these bus outputs usually in a place on the soundboard that would lend itself to be connected with several cables to an external mixer? In other words, would it be likely to get in the way of, or disturb the soundman's process?

My hope is a taper-friendly band that normally allows soundboard patches, wouldn't see this as a problem.

[Strungup]

depneds on his board , in my experience , it wont happen , I am also a sound engineer and do live sound , once in a while I will let the Tape outs , or Control room outs be used , but my Busses , I set up for effect processing for each channel .

Also there is a Big difference between Pro live sound , and Basic Bar room, Small venue sound ........

I doubt that your going to have much success getting the sound guy to let you futz with his gear .

I based my earlier statements on the Idea that you were doing this For your own band or band you knew .

[6079]

I was told that a firewire cable can be used to capture the individual tracks from the soundboard to a PC.

Is this true, or is there another method of using one or a few cables to capture all the individual tracks? I mentioned buss outputs because I thought that was the only way to transfer the individual tracks. Whatever gets them there is all I'm after.

He said he connected the mixer to the firewire out of the soundboard. I haven't been able to find information on this specifically, but I have read of this method. Do most soundboards have this output?

If this is correct, it would make the process much easier. In choosing an appropriate device, what options are there?

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/288733.html This device has firewire and multiple track recording, with DVD burning, so you wouldn't have to connect it to a PC. It's really expensive, though.

http://qualityelectronics.stores.yahoo.net/almafiauinre.html a cheaper one

http://qualityelectronics.stores.yahoo.net/aladhadire.html

Edited October 20, 2008 by 6079