I know this isn't so much a Queen Tour 2005 topic, but this would have some relation in a way or two to the tour next spring, so I want to ask this:
What I want to do, since I may most likely go see Queen and Paul Rodgers next spring (depending on the nearest venue and date here in Canada, if any Canadian dates), is that I want to bring with me a digital recorder so I can try and record whatever show(s) I would go to, since security isn't as tight here in Canada, depending on the performance venues. (Something that I can try and tuck under my shirt, with a necklace sort of thing that I can use to hang it around my neck with)
I know that MP3 recorders are absolute shite when it comes to recording, so I want to instead invest in a MiniDisc player/recorder.
I know a lot of people recorded some of the European tour concerts with MD recorders, but I have no idea or clue where and how to get the equipment necessary.
Could some of you experts here point out what I need to get, how much money I will need to save up for, and where the best place(s) would be to buy the equipment (preferably. but not limited to, in-store in Canada, ie. at The Source / RadioShack, FutureShop, Best Buy, etc.)
Many thanks in advance.
First of all you need to tell us how much money you actually want to spend on your equipement. It doesn't make sense to recommend you something that you can't actually afford.
Then it's much more important what kind of mics you use to tape a show than the actual recorder(unless you use a mp3 recorder or similar). For a decent recorder I'd suggest buying a Creative Nomad Jukebox 3, a harddisk recorder rather than a MD recorder. The JB3s aren't made anymore, but refurbished or used ones can be found on ebay for ca. $150. The Creative JB3 has several quite important advantages over MD recorders:
a)It records in lossless wav format(MD's ATRAC is lossy)
b)It's a harddisk recorder, so you don't need to buy media and (much more important) you don't need to change MD's during the concert, you have 180 minutes of uninterrupted recording time.(When using MD you need to change the MD after 80 minutes, so you always lose a bit of the show and you are in danger of getting caught by security while doing that)
c)You can transfer your recording very easily and fast via USB or Firewire ports to your PC(MD needs to be transfered in real time)
d)It looks like a discman, so in most cases you don't even need to hide it and can just walk into the venue.
Again it's much more important that you use decent mics. The best recorder is completely useless if you tape with bad mics.
If you can afford them I'd suggest buying some Sound Proffessionals mics like these ones: link
I've used them myself with great results and they are quality stealth mics.
That's good advise. Another source of good mics is link
Minidisc recorders are still the standard though. The last time I looked, Sharp is recommended over Sony because you can change the volume while recording.
Yes, that's the recorder I was talking about. They say it's a mp3 recorder(which is indeed correct), but it does record in lossless wav as well. And do not buy any of these other Creative recorders like the Jukebox 2 or the ZenJukebox. Only the JB3 is suitable for taping.
Indeed, the microphone is the most important part. BUT I'd still recommend you to get a MD recorder instead of an MP3/WAV one. I simply don't have good experiences with these MP3/WAV/card/harddisk recorders - not because of the format but because of the mic input. In some cases you can't control the volume level, in other cases you can control the volume but even with max. settings it's silent (or vice versa).
I use an MP3 recorder with LP mode - you won't notice any difference compared to SP mode and you can record over 160 minutes on one minidisc without having to change the disc.
I will probably go with MD for a recording device format as I originally intended to, depending on the cost(s).
Would you (Mr. Scully) or anyone know if Best Buy and/or FutureShop here in Canada sell MD recorders?
If not, where can I get those otherwise? (It has to be someplace preferably where I can pay by either registered cash, Postal Money Order, or PayPal)
Thanks in advance for info.
Mr. Scully wrote: I use an MP3 recorder with LP mode - you won't notice any difference compared to SP mode and you can record over 160 minutes on one minidisc without having to change the disc.
Well, isn't the recording in mono if you use MD's LP function(and heavily compressed, too)? In this case you do notice a difference compared to an SP stereo recording. At least I do.
Another thing to consider, loud sound pressure levels at a concert will overdrive the mic inputs on most recording devices. For this reason you should purchase a battery box. This is a device that you plug your mics into, and it boosts them up to line level. Plug the battery box into your line input of your recorder instead of the mic inputs. Some stealth microphones include the battery box.