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A question about recording a whole show

Jerry Ziarko

Jerry Ziarko

Feb 23, 2003
2,798
1,203
Rochester, NY
#1
A bud of mine is asking me to possibly sub a couple of shows for him. This a very pro tribute outfit. Since there are no charts, and it's a very well rehearsed show, the arrangements will be verbatim. I want to record a complete show or if even possible with a separate monitor mix, get drums, bass vocals, and guitars. It's a 14 piece group so I don't need everything recorded. Now my question, what would be the best way to record the show as far as what media or device to use. I believe it's a 1 1/2 - 2 hr show. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
#4
I'm sure there will be, but not sure with any upcoming shows, if their tech brings his own rig, the theaters have their own, or if maybe the specified console in the rider isn't available, and they provide a substitute he's not familiar with and keen on accommodating my request.I'm thinking more of an outboard situation.
 
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#5
Keep in mind that the venue is making a house mix, not recording tracks (although they could with the right gear!).
As the classic live LP's we know and love demonstrate, it involves a dedicated recording session in its own rite, not an add-on to house sound.
 
#6
As a sound guy, we have the capability to record live shows easily.

The recording is not the same as the house mix.

One drawback to recording a live show compared to a studio situation is vocal mics on stage are not isolated from stage sounds not intended for the vocal track. For example, a vocal mic center stage in front of of a drum set is likely to pick up the drums.

The tracks we record do require post processing and mixing, but we regularly obtain excellent results recording live. Especially for bands that use IEMs, and no amps on stage.

The actual effort to get the raw live tracks is minimal.

The time involved to do post production can be substantial.
 
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#7
Hoochie Coochie Man said:
Whoever is running the sound should be able to record it for you, (assuming there will be a modern mixing console at the gig).
Click to expand...

This.
At the very least you'll get a stereo mix (you can use something like the Moises app to split the stereo files into 'individual tracks' so that you can play along to a 'minus bass' mix when you practice.
Many desks would allow you to record each input in a separate track too.

Ask the sound engineer and bring a suitably big USB drive.
 
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#8
Hoochie Coochie Man said:
As a sound guy, we have the capability to record live shows easily.

The recording is not the same as the house mix.

One drawback to recording a live show compared to a studio situation is vocal mics on stage are not isolated from stage sounds not intended for the vocal track. For example, a vocal mic center stage in front of of a drum set is likely to pick up the drums.

The tracks we record do require post processing and mixing, but we regularly obtain excellent results recording live. Especially for bands that use IEMs, and no amps on stage.

The actual effort to get the raw live tracks is minimal.

The time involved to do post production can be substantial.
Click to expand...

However, the OP just wants the material to learn and practice, it does not need to be a polished ready-to-market mix. Should be easily doable.
 
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#9
Hoochie Coochie Man said:
As a sound guy, we have the capability to record live shows easily.

The recording is not the same as the house mix.

One drawback to recording a live show compared to a studio situation is vocal mics on stage are not isolated from stage sounds not intended for the vocal track. For example, a vocal mic center stage in front of of a drum set is likely to pick up the drums.

The tracks we record do require post processing and mixing, but we regularly obtain excellent results recording live. Especially for bands that use IEMs, and no amps on stage.

The actual effort to get the raw live tracks is minimal.

The time involved to do post production can be substantial.
Click to expand...
This, of course depending on capabilities of mixing desk. My band uses digital mixer and we make multichannel recording from time to time. Except drums bleed into vocal mics, it's almost as good as studio. Pro producer did great mixes more than couple of times. This is ideal for preparing to sub.
Arrange to get simple stereo recording with pan of whole of the band to right side, and just bass guitar to left side (that's how Lenny Krawitz prepared bassist Gail Ann Dorsey for his tour, as she explains in her interview)
 
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#10
RattleSnack said:
Arrange to get simple stereo recording with pan of whole of the band to right side, and just bass guitar to left side (that's how Lenny Krawitz prepared bassist Gail Ann Dorsey for his tour, as she explains in her interview)
Click to expand...
That is more in line what I need, nothing polished, basically just so I can run the show on my own. It's in the early stages, so I'll be contacting their FOH tech for more info.
 
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#11
Hoochie Coochie Man said:
As a sound guy, we have the capability to record live shows easily.

The recording is not the same as the house mix.

One drawback to recording a live show compared to a studio situation is vocal mics on stage are not isolated from stage sounds not intended for the vocal track. For example, a vocal mic center stage in front of of a drum set is likely to pick up the drums.

The tracks we record do require post processing and mixing, but we regularly obtain excellent results recording live. Especially for bands that use IEMs, and no amps on stage.

The actual effort to get the raw live tracks is minimal.

The time involved to do post production can be substantial.
Click to expand...

THIS.

Plus, you're a sub. You're job is to get in and out, cover the parts and make minimal demands.

I've recorded gigs I've subbed on before, but with such a small footprint that only a couple guys may have noticed.

If the goal is to get the arrangements down for the next time you play with these guys, a Zoom Q2n camera placed about 20-30' in front of FOH will do a surprisingly good job if the house mix is halfway decent.
 
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#14
Jerry Ziarko said:
A bud of mine is asking me to possibly sub a couple of shows for him. This a very pro tribute outfit. Since there are no charts, and it's a very well rehearsed show, the arrangements will be verbatim. I want to record a complete show or if even possible with a separate monitor mix, get drums, bass vocals, and guitars. It's a 14 piece group so I don't need everything recorded. Now my question, what would be the best way to record the show as far as what media or device to use. I believe it's a 1 1/2 - 2 hr show. Thanks for any suggestions.
Click to expand...
If you’re going to “possibly” sub a couple shows, all you need is a basic recording to hear their arrangements. You should hear what the bass is doing. You should hear all the things so you can cue off other instruments for different song parts/sections if needed.

As a “possible” sub, I wouldn’t be asking to show up to their gig with my DAW trying to tap into their system nor would my goal be to get a stellar quality multi track recording for learning their arrangements. I’d start by asking if they have any recordings or documentation of their arrangements. Then to record their show I’d probably set up a basic device (like a Zoom recorder) near the sound board to record their whole show. Or just ask your friend to ask the sound guy if he can easily make me a board recording. Maybe the sound guy has already made a bunch of board recordings that nobody else knows about.

You just need to hear the arrangements, so don’t get too into the mindset of obtaining a personalized multi-track recording of superb quality.
 
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#18
That depends on the equipment. You will need to mic everything as if it was a recording session. We have the Midas board and Pro Tools hooked up so I can record live shows that but you have to talk to the sound person in advance, ideally days before the show. If they have an analog board, they will need a sound card and maybe preamps (depending on the mixer outs) with enough inputs. Bare in mind that the FOH sound person might NOT mic everything for the house, but you will have to mic everything for the recording if you want to mix the show later.
 
#20
MYLOWFREQ said:
That depends on the equipment. You will need to mic everything as if it was a recording session. We have the Midas board and Pro Tools hooked up so I can record live shows that but you have to talk to the sound person in advance, ideally days before the show. If they have an analog board, they will need a sound card and maybe preamps (depending on the mixer outs) with enough inputs. Bare in mind that the FOH sound person might NOT mic everything for the house, but you will have to mic everything for the recording if you want to mix the show later.
Click to expand...

Can't tell whether this is a facetious answer or not.

Uh, you did read where the OP was considering doing this on a SUB gig, right?
 

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