Field Recording Using multi Channel Recorder? at DVinfo.net

John Cloy · October 4th, 2004, 11:24 AM

Has anyone tried multi-channel field recording using anything like a Fostex DF150, KorgD1600 or Tascam2488?

I currently do two channel recording straight to a PDX10 and often wish I could pull more channels pre-fader from the mix board before the sound engineer processes the sound.

Much of my work is around musicals and the house mix of the playback track Vs: the wireless mics isn't the same as the mix I would like to have on the video. Getting the sound engineer to set up a vocals group against the sound track is dicey at best so I'm thinking that maybe I try to capture FOH on one track (as a reference and fall back) and the vocals and music tracks separately.

Any thoughts?

Ben Lynn · October 4th, 2004, 02:58 PM

Find a better sound engineer.?

I know, you usually get who's there. Thought I'd try it.

Instead of mixing it in post what about getting a small board and taking those extra inputs that you want and mixing it at the event as a sub-mix. Then the house can do the mix that they like and you can mix it as you think it needs to be for video. The drawback is that you'll need a dedicated sound person for the event if you go that route.

The other option is to do exactly what you say. But I don't do it that way because of the time involved. If it's a live event I do everything possible to make sure that things happen then and there. If I have to go back and work the mix in post then that adds a lot of time to the overall project.

But if you have trouble getting it to happen live and you have the time to work with the tracks later then it's a good option to do what you're talking about and record it to a multi-channel field recorder.

Ben Lynn

K. Forman · October 4th, 2004, 03:42 PM

I loved my Korg D12... except for the fact I needed an AC outlet. If it had a battery pack, I would still have it today.

John Cloy · October 4th, 2004, 08:08 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Keith Forman : I loved my Korg D12... except for the fact I needed an AC outlet. If it had a battery pack, I would still have it today. -->>>

Did you find something multi-channel with a battery pack that you liked?

Ben Lynn · October 4th, 2004, 08:53 PM

It sounds like you only need that type of multi-channel recorder for musical production work so why worry about a battery pack? You can always get ac at the venue.

Ben Lynn

K. Forman · October 4th, 2004, 09:58 PM

I was using the power at a concert, and it kept going out. And what happens to un-saved info on a hard drive when you lose power? It goes from 0's and 1's to just 0.

John- Still looking for a replacement. I like the Alesis Deva, but can't squeeze the $15,000 dollars they cost.

Glenn Chan · October 4th, 2004, 10:07 PM

If you have a laptop, you can turn it into a multi channel recording with a firewire/USB sound interface. i.e. m-audio firewire 410. many products out there...

John Cloy · October 5th, 2004, 10:22 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Glenn Chan : If you have a laptop, you can turn it into a multi channel recording with a firewire/USB sound interface. i.e. m-audio firewire 410. many products out there... -->>>

I have been doing that straight into the mic jack on the laptop. I am reluctant to keep bringing my laptop (a high-end ThinkPad that is also my primary NLE editing station) out to venues where I can't keep my eye on it the whole time. At least if I lose/break a multi-track recorder I'm not out of business entirely.

jc

Michael Morlan · October 5th, 2004, 10:40 AM

You can find ADAT machines on eBay for reasonable prices. 8-tracks - SVHS tape format, rackmount, self contained, and meant specifically for your purpose.

The ADAT data may then be transferred directly to a P.C. or Mac via a number of ADAT interfaces from vendors like MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn) and M Audio.

October 4th, 2004, 11:24 AM	#1
John Cloy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 50	Field Recording Using multi Channel Recorder? Has anyone tried multi-channel field recording using anything like a Fostex DF150, KorgD1600 or Tascam2488? I currently do two channel recording straight to a PDX10 and often wish I could pull more channels pre-fader from the mix board before the sound engineer processes the sound. Much of my work is around musicals and the house mix of the playback track Vs: the wireless mics isn't the same as the mix I would like to have on the video. Getting the sound engineer to set up a vocals group against the sound track is dicey at best so I'm thinking that maybe I try to capture FOH on one track (as a reference and fall back) and the vocals and music tracks separately. Any thoughts? __________________ John You mean I can get paid to do this?

October 4th, 2004, 03:42 PM	#3
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I loved my Korg D12... except for the fact I needed an AC outlet. If it had a battery pack, I would still have it today. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

October 4th, 2004, 08:08 PM	#4
John Cloy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 50	<<<-- Originally posted by Keith Forman : I loved my Korg D12... except for the fact I needed an AC outlet. If it had a battery pack, I would still have it today. -->>> Did you find something multi-channel with a battery pack that you liked? __________________ John You mean I can get paid to do this?

October 4th, 2004, 09:58 PM	#6
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I was using the power at a concert, and it kept going out. And what happens to un-saved info on a hard drive when you lose power? It goes from 0's and 1's to just 0. John- Still looking for a replacement. I like the Alesis Deva, but can't squeeze the $15,000 dollars they cost. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

October 5th, 2004, 10:22 AM	#8
John Cloy Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 50	<<<-- Originally posted by Glenn Chan : If you have a laptop, you can turn it into a multi channel recording with a firewire/USB sound interface. i.e. m-audio firewire 410. many products out there... -->>> I have been doing that straight into the mic jack on the laptop. I am reluctant to keep bringing my laptop (a high-end ThinkPad that is also my primary NLE editing station) out to venues where I can't keep my eye on it the whole time. At least if I lose/break a multi-track recorder I'm not out of business entirely. jc __________________ John You mean I can get paid to do this?

October 4th, 2004, 02:58 PM	#2
Ben Lynn Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 636	Find a better sound engineer.? I know, you usually get who's there. Thought I'd try it. Instead of mixing it in post what about getting a small board and taking those extra inputs that you want and mixing it at the event as a sub-mix. Then the house can do the mix that they like and you can mix it as you think it needs to be for video. The drawback is that you'll need a dedicated sound person for the event if you go that route. The other option is to do exactly what you say. But I don't do it that way because of the time involved. If it's a live event I do everything possible to make sure that things happen then and there. If I have to go back and work the mix in post then that adds a lot of time to the overall project. But if you have trouble getting it to happen live and you have the time to work with the tracks later then it's a good option to do what you're talking about and record it to a multi-channel field recorder. Ben Lynn

October 4th, 2004, 08:53 PM	#5
Ben Lynn Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 636	It sounds like you only need that type of multi-channel recorder for musical production work so why worry about a battery pack? You can always get ac at the venue. Ben Lynn

October 4th, 2004, 10:07 PM	#7
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	If you have a laptop, you can turn it into a multi channel recording with a firewire/USB sound interface. i.e. m-audio firewire 410. many products out there...

October 5th, 2004, 10:40 AM	#9
Michael Morlan Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 79	You can find ADAT machines on eBay for reasonable prices. 8-tracks - SVHS tape format, rackmount, self contained, and meant specifically for your purpose. The ADAT data may then be transferred directly to a P.C. or Mac via a number of ADAT interfaces from vendors like MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn) and M Audio. __________________ Michael Morlan . cinematographer \| local 600 operator http://michael-morlan.net . http://talltalepictures.com