Recording through the mixing desk at gig:

[lanark]

Just wondering what equipment would be needed to do and if it's a feasible method of getting a decent recording of the band (obviously this would be for personal use, we wouldn't be expecting to get anything usable as either a demo or for release at this point without getting specialist gear in).

[Ray]

From my experience of recording through the desk I would say don't bother.

The sound through the desk will be completely different to the front of house sound. The FOH sound is a combination of the desk and backline. There will probably be very little guitar and drum overheads on the recording because they're pretty loud onstage. And there will probably be loads of kick drum and vocals because they're quiet on stage.

Of course it depends on your line up and the size of the venue so it may be worth giving it a go just for experience. Don't expect a useable recording though.

If you do try it, a cheap mini disc recorder off eBay should do the trick.

[51m0n]

To do this 'properly' you need a desk with a monitor section and direct outs (a la Mackie 32:8) and a multitrack recording device (a la HD24)

You set your levels to the HD24 completely seperately to the FOH mix, or the monitor mix (which you can run off auxes anyway) and mic everything up.

Trying anything else is a recipe for an epic fail for all the reasons sited above.

[bigevilman]

A mate of mine uses a Soundcraft Spirit FX16 desk when he records. It has 16 input channels all with nice pre-amps which have direct out ports at the back. You can select pre/post fader so it would be perfect for recording as it would be a untouched source file. All you need then is an audio interface to record it on (with 16 inputs if you're using all of them) and you're good to go.

Obviously with this, you'd have to mic everything up, regardless of whether its going to FOH, but was to be expected anyways?

P.S The Spirit FX16 has built in lexicon effects, so you know that reverbs gonna sound gorgeous

[51m0n]

I'd try and avoid putting any effects on to what is going to tape.

Its far too far away from the controlled environment you need to be in to work out of you are putting the right amount on for a start. Secondly once the afterglow of the gig has worn off you may discover you need to do a couple of overdubs to sort out some howlers. All made way harder if tere are effects all over the shop....

[tombboy]

Use the insert jacks (first click) and send to another mixer where you can do a more suitable mix for adat, a HD recorder or digital interface/macbook etc.

[bigevilman]

[quote name='51m0n' post='792353' date='Mar 31 2010, 07:48 PM']I'd try and avoid putting any effects on to what is going to tape.

Its far too far away from the controlled environment you need to be in to work out of you are putting the right amount on for a start. Secondly once the afterglow of the gig has worn off you may discover you need to do a couple of overdubs to sort out some howlers. All made way harder if tere are effects all over the shop....[/quote]

Aye, thats why u'd use pre-fader, so the DI-out would be untouched by the fx loop