Recording Audio and Video of a gig

[dazole]

Hi all! My band recently played our first gig, a house party with about 30 people. Not a *huge* gig, by any stretch, but, it was the first time *any* of us had *ever* played in front of *anybody*! So, it was a big deal to us, lol!

Anyway, I recorded our last practice before the gig, and it came out sounding like crap. *Way* too much bass!

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePause...13/1VaLKofzN0s

I managed to adjust for the actual gig, and although the audio is better, its still not quite what I want. (I know the video is bad, there were some people that wanted the lights off. They didn't understand no light = bad video).

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePause...12/z-JA8lqGPUA

Unfortunately, I'm limited a bit on recording equipment. I'm currently using a Sony Handycam DV camcorder.

I'm wondering what other, relatively inexpensive equipment others are using to record decent audio and video of gigs?

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

David

[Bassdirty]

I think the camera is too close.

Get it as far back as you can (in that room anyway)

Ive recorded (with the same camera) prolly about 30-40 ft away..and it sounded "okay".

The loud volume peaks (drums mainly) make the mic kinda "muffle".(so it sounds Bassy, even if your bass isnt "loud".)


YMMV

[dazole]

Yeah, thats what I was afraid of. I had the camera physically as far away as I could get it, but we ran into the wall of the living room, lol!

David

[magneezius]

Im thinking of getting a video recorder for the same reasons....live gigs and concerts. recently Zoom has just released its newest incarnation the Zoom Q3HD..It can do 1080p at 30fps video and 44.1/48/96kHz 16/24-bit WAV audio files or AAC files at 320Kbps using XY stereo micing. I don't have any personal use with any zoom products or this one in particular however Im very intrigued. Its a first in handeld recorders to have this quality of audio as well as 1080p video. I think its priced at $300, not bad considering its only a little more expensive than the Flip video recorders that don't do as well of audio recordings. The best part of this recorder is it has a SD card slot that can hold up to a 32Gb SD card.

heres a link for more info:
http://www.techtilt.com/2010/10/05/z...act-camcorder/

[dazole]

Wow!! That Zoom looks *nice*!! And for only $300, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm asking Santa for this Xmas, lol!

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by dazole

I managed to adjust for the actual gig, and although the audio is better, its still not quite what I want. (I know the video is bad, there were some people that wanted the lights off. They didn't understand no light = bad video).

No, actually I don't think you understand that it's a gig they hired you to play, not a photo opportunity for your band.
Unreasonable expectations not having to do with why you were hired=no gig.

[dazole]

Good point for the "there to play, not a photo op". Even though they didn't pay