"Mastering" live recordings from Zoom

[shughey]

Mastering might not be the right term, but I'm wondering what is the best way to finish off a live a recording from my Zoom H5. I'm using audio from a live recordings to overlay on top of video. I've done this many tmes before, and at the moment I'm using the multiband compression within Sonar X3 to even everything out. For these recordings, I'm utilizing the built-in condensor mics. While they do pick up high end well, the raw recordings typically are way too dynamic and the high end from the cymbals can be overbearing. The multiband, for the most part, gets the job done, but I'd like to know if there is a better way to go about this. Also, the limiters in Cakewalk can't seem to catch the transients of things like big snare hits, and I set the attack to min and ratio to infinity. So for that reason I've stopped using them on these live recordings.

 

[JRA]

if you're dealing with 2-track (or stereo) then i'm afraid you're asking for the impossible. no amount of EQ/compression will solve all of your problems without creating other issues. if you're recording more than two tracks: you might consider mixing them in any DAW (some are free). a true multitrack recording will give you more mixing options. sounds like you want mixing options.

to get more options: consider using all 4 tracks, each track with a different instrument (or different 'emphasis') when miked. good luck!

 

[EastCoastThump]

^ truth

 

[EastCoastThump]

In genres where the expected sonics have been defined by decades of studio production, multitrack location recording gives you back some almost necessary options.

Live-to-two-track (or, in the Zoom's case, 4 track) recordings of a sonically rough-and-tumble live performance can have many virtues, but you won't mistake them for a George Massenburg production. If that's your sonic target and you're not recording a group that's great at blending and at designing individual and ensemble tones, then multitrack.

 

[shughey]

This is all two-track stereo recordings, so correct, I can't do any mixing. I'm not trying to make this a big production, but on it's own, the recordings are unweidly; even compared to a cell phone. I think this is the case because I'm recording w built-in condensers and the raw recording isn't compressed like a cell phone recordering. I'm just trying to even the recording out without compressing the life out of it to tame wild snare drum hits, cymbal crashes, and the overall dynamic level.

 

[seamonkey]

It's best to get it right on the initial recording. Placement of the zoom is key.

Try a demo of Izotope RX7 - it has all kinds of correction capabilities with some good automation to help you out.
And a good drum replacer plugin could help for some of the drum sounds. They have ways to null out the original drums. Crashes are tough.