Recording straight from board?

[Esquillama]

I've read through the FAQ sticky, and didn't notice this.
I'm planning on recording my band straight from the board's
tape outs to my 4 track. This should A) Work, and
B)have decent sound.

We run everything through the board, vocals as well as all
instruments. So I should get pretty much the same sound
as the audience right? Of course I won't be getting the
"stage sound" from the amps, but it should be good enough
for a historical record of how we performed our medley's, etc.

If anyone has any tips or suggestions I'd be more than happy.
Thanks in advance.

[tommysalami]

It would be OK if you run the mixer in stereo. A better way is to run everything into 4 subgroups on the board & then 4 subs out to the 4 track. Not sure which board you use. Another way would be to take 1 line off the tape out if you're running mono, & another channel from a room mic. Depending on the 4 track, you have to experiment with different setups untill you get a sound that you like.

[Jeramy]

The only problem with recording at a live show through the tape output is the EQ and slider volumes are set for the room your in not the output. For example if the room has carpeting the bass will be louder to compensate for absorption then if their were a cement floor. You might be better of at least running a separate EQ before the 4 track to adjust the sound a little.