Best way to record a room?

[Bass4Brkfast]

This is the one I use to record rehearsals.

I set it up on a stand, usually pointing towards the drums from a few feet away (8-10 feet, usually), mic input settings were set-and-forget after the first test.
Your smartphone will work, but a recorder of this kind will yield miles better sound quality.
We post-produce that audio and post snippets on social media, and the quality is pretty adequate for that.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

If you want to do it with a smartphone, consider popping on an external mic. Makes a huge difference in recording quality. I've had great success with the Rode VideoMic Me on my iPhone. [This invalid link has been removed]

 

[gmarcus]

Check the battery life of whatever you get. I got a Sony PCM-M10 about 10 years ago because it has a 50hr battery life. Makes decent recordings, small and very sturdy.

I'm sure there are some better options out know.

This practice was loud enough for ear plugs but not excessive I still had plenty of headroom to go louder
Whole lotta Love / Black Dog

 

[Schmo_bass]

This is the one I use to record rehearsals.

View attachment 4463361

I set it up on a stand, usually pointing towards the drums from a few feet away (8-10 feet, usually), mic input settings were set-and-forget after the first test.
Your smartphone will work, but a recorder of this kind will yield miles better sound quality.
We post-produce that audio and post snippets on social media, and the quality is pretty adequate for that.

Agree the Tascam DR40 is awesome too, and we’ll worth the upcharge vs DR05 to get the 4 channel and DI capability. I use this sometime as well when not running the Model 16. We have an older mixer in the rehearsal space and with this unit you can capture the DR’s built in mics plus add 2 additional channels (Line in) from a mixer OR 2 additional mic through the preamps.

 

[brianrost]

I have a TASCAM DP-03SD

Should work fine unless the level settings for the internal mikes won't go low enough. Just try it.

The best recorder is always the one you already own

 

[1958Bassman]

If thge room is very live, acoustically, lay the mic(s) or stereo recorder on a piece of carpet- it will only record what comes in from above and to the sides, but only in a hemispherical pattern. The mic pattern won't be a problem. I did this with two Audio Technica mics that weren't made specifically for vocals and it sounded decent.

 

[lucas303]

I would advise against any of the built in mics for really loud stuff. As soon as you get into external mics, though, your setup gets more complicated. You could try the internal mics and if they don't work then explore external options. Keep in mind that placement will be the biggest factor so be prepared to do a lot of experimenting with that.

 

[tothemax]

I second on the Tascam DR-05 -

Basically, "Set it and forget it" using the default settings. Very similar to the old days with a cassette boom box in the back of the room. The only rule I have is to keep it offset to the drum kit, so the drums don't overpower the mix. I download the recordings to my PC and convert it to MP3 using Audacity, just a quick and dirty conversion - then upload the MP3 to Google drive to share it with the band for review.

Works great...

 

[logdrum]

Zoom - H6 in the record menu, use the Live Concert limiter option. Use the windscreen in case your band goes up to Jet engine decibel levels to protect the mic capsules. I use the M+S mic not the XY.

 

[LBS-bass]

I second on the Tascam DR-05 -

Basically, "Set it and forget it" using the default settings. Very similar to the old days with a cassette boom box in the back of the room. The only rule I have is to keep it offset to the drum kit, so the drums don't overpower the mix. I download the recordings to my PC and convert it to MP3 using Audacity, just a quick and dirty conversion - then upload the MP3 to Google drive to share it with the band for review.

Works great...

Yep, for a reference recording to play along with or critique, I wouldn't get any fancier than this, and I wouldn't use a phone because you'll have more issues with transferring your files out.

If you need multi-tracking, you're doing a different kind of recording that's not strictly for reference. You'll want to invest in something a little more substantial than just a 4 track, most likely. It gets complex and expensive in a hurry once you get beyond your basic handheld reference recorder.

 

[logdrum]

If you destroy the H6 mic capsules which is hard to do because Grateful Dead/jam band fans use this to record loud shows with 50000 watt PAs with no issues, then get a pair of Chinese AKGs condenser instead. You can mic jet engines with those and they'll keep on ticking or industry standard stage hammers AKA SM57 but then you sacrifice some fidelity. People close mic dimed Marshall Majors with those with no effects. Still use the Live Concert limiter option on the Zoom

 

[Honkey tonk]

A set of PZM microphones are forgiving of reflections / bad rooms and not to particular about placement that or cheap SDC's closly pointed right onto a hard surface
SDC Binaural is the best way , questionable rooms go with A PZM Binaural

 

[dBChad]

I'm definitely interested in the Zoom/Tascam/Olympus/Yamaha offerings in the small recorder department, but I've gotten some very useable results with a Rode shotgun mic on a Canon DSLR. I also have a Crown/AKG Soundgrabber II boundary mic I modified by soldering a 9v pigtail to the stock battery inputs and fitted an XLR plug on the end of. Taped to a widow or smooth wall, it picks up the room pretty well (it also picks up unwanted noises such as hum, footsteps, clearing your throat, etc). Good choice if you use it with a gate and some narrow band parametric EQing though.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi all We play original heavy music and as a band come up with ideas together through jamming.

My idea is to just record every practice or maybe just the jam sessions . I am not worries about mixing, tracking or anything just to document what's happening. I have been looking at things like the zoom handy recorders. My only concern is can the input handle being in a tight room with a hard hitting Metal band? If not what is will fit?

Thank you.

We record all rehearsals and gigs with a Tascam dual axis pocket recorder. Have been for years, and highly recommend that everybody do this for a number of useful purposes. They are not that expensive.

The input gain is adjustable on my Tascam, and recommend whatever brand you decide on is. If so Yes, it will work. You might have to move it around in the room to find the ideal location. Just keep in mind, it will be a reference recording more than likely.

One other thing you may want to pick up with it. On the bottom of my Tascam is a threaded port to screw it on a camera tri-pod which is much preferably to having your recorder sitting on the floor table top, or worse yet, the drummers floor tom. I have telescoping tripod that will extend over 6’ tall which is great for recording gigs. I got mine from my ex-daughter in law and it couldn’t have been that expensive.

 

[Ryan in PDX]

I use my phone. At the end of a practice session, I select the day's recordings, hit the "share" button, and everyone instantly has access. Too easy. And it's already on my phone, so I can listen back on the way home with no extra steps.

For practices that happen at my house, I use the aforementioned soundcraft Ui24r to take multitrack recordings of every song. It's more work to share with the band because it involves multiple devices, and some form of mixing process. Sounds better, but the phone is good enough for what OP is talking about.

 

[BAG]

You can easily use your iPhone or Android to record your rehearsals, their built in mics also have auto-limiting to avoid clipping as well.

I use my phone. At the end of a practice session, I select the day's recordings, hit the "share" button, and everyone instantly has access. Too easy. And it's already on my phone, so I can listen back on the way home with no extra steps.

What app do you use for recording and are you able to set the recording gain?
Just about every phone recording I've heard hassles to have an auto gain setting which renders quiet intimate sections quite well but then drops the volume of vocals etc whenever a drum or loud guitar kicks in

 

[MDBass]

What app do you use for recording and are you able to set the recording gain?
Just about every phone recording I've heard hassles to have an auto gain setting which renders quiet intimate sections quite well but then drops the volume of vocals etc whenever a drum or loud guitar kicks in

Yep, that’s the built in limiter: it’s bringing the overall level down significantly when the band gets loud to prevent input clipping, since the mics on a phone are obviously quite sensitive.

Not sure if there’s a way to manually alter the input gain to a much lower level, so that it never passes the limiter threshold, but for the OP’s purposes that seems like a non-issue.

 

[Ryan in PDX]

What app do you use for recording and are you able to set the recording gain?
Just about every phone recording I've heard hassles to have an auto gain setting which renders quiet intimate sections quite well but then drops the volume of vocals etc whenever a drum or loud guitar kicks in

Even though I'm a big recording nerd, I just use the stock "audio recorder" app on my android. I haven't felt the need to look for any settings. I can usually hear everything in a 4-piece band just fine. I usually have the phone on the floor or a chair. I'll move it if I notice it's right in front of the kick drum or a speaker, but I don't think about it any more deeply than that.

Whatever compression/limiting is happening, it's certainly not affecting my ability to hear what I need from this recording situation, and it is welcome considering I'm usually listening back to these in the car, grocery store, or while I'm practicing by myself.

 

[DirkP]

That is exactly our setup. Can you recommend a mic? I have an SM57 and SM58 but am not opposed to getting something for the purpose. Not sure if my recorder has an Omni setting or not. Thank you.

Omni isn't a setting on a recorder, it is a feature of the mic-capsule(s). Some mics have different characteristics that can be switched on the mic or they have just one. Like Omni, Cardioid, Hypercardioid. A Shure SM57 or SM58 has a cardioid capsule and this can't be changed.

 

[seamonkey]

Zoom and other portable recorders and really good
When you hear a recording, versus you being in the room is the what your brain differentiates naturally in the room.
Your brain tunes out the room, the recording doesn't and you don't get enough clues in your brain to tune out the room from the recording.
Going cheap, get several people to record just using their phones and go for the best sound. You can use modern phase adjusting VST to allow the combination of many smart phone tracks into one.
Several "Albums" have been released only recorded on iPhones or iPads. Look them up - A Zoom or Tascam may be better but it's surprising how good it can get just with an iPhone in mono.