Sound set up

[bobbster]

I am about to record a music event over a three day period. Basically inside a hall about 100ft x 20ft with stage and two large speakers for music output from the bands. I recorded it last year using the xm2 mic and sound wasn't brilliant I currently have an XM2 with the ma300 XLR adaptor a technica and atr 25 stereo microphone. Camera and mic(s) can be ceiling mounted back from the stage

Which is my best sound set up recommendations please? http://forums.dvdoctor.net/images/smilies/confused.gif

Do I need more mics and leads. Connecting to the sound desk is not an option as all bands will not be using it.

Using the Ma300 is confusing do I need to input 1 or 2 mics using both xlr channels or just one?

Stereo or mono mic (s) to record the gig?

Or will the ATR 25 do shotgun mounted or mounted fwd of the camera?

I have a small budget here to improve or complete the set up £250.

Suggestions/recommendations please. Been searching web etc for MA300/mic combinations for live gigs and found zero!!!

[MarkE19]

If a direct output from a mixing desk is not an option then your best bet would be 1 or 2 mono directional mics clear of the audience and pointing directly at the speakers. If not all the bands are going through the PA then a directional mic pointed at the stage. Something like the Audio-Technica AT897 will do the job and is around your budget, or scroll down the page for more options.
A live PA should only be mixed in mono so you wont really get any stereo effects and a stereo mic (within your budget) wont be as directional so will probably pick up a lot of audience noise.

Mark.

[bobbster]

Hi Mark, thanks for the reply, if I chose the AT 897 I take it there is one XLR connection which I would pass through one channel of my MA300 is this correct?I am new to this it just seems odd recording through one channel. Other suggestions I have has are the rode video mic and AT pro 24, and again at the other end 2 x AKG C1000s, but on the AKG's I read one review saying point these away from the speakers otherwise you will pick up feedback???

Cheers Bob

[MarkE19]

Originally Posted by bobbster

Hi Mark, thanks for the reply, if I chose the AT 897 I take it there is one XLR connection which I would pass through one channel of my MA300 is this correct?

Yes it has a single XLR output that means you can use any XLR lead to connect it to your camcorder.

Originally Posted by bobbster

I am new to this it just seems odd recording through one channel.

Well you can use 2 if you want, but as the PA will be (or should be!) mono it will just cost you more to buy 2 mics.
Many camcorders will add audio to both audio tracks when only one mic is connected (on mine it will do this with a mic to the left channel only).

Originally Posted by bobbster

Other suggestions I have has are the rode video mic

The Rhode Video Mic is Super-Cardioid. This means it will only be -10db at 90degrees (best rejection is at 120deg or greater) and will therefore still pick up a fair amount of noise from the sides (ie audience)

Originally Posted by bobbster

and AT pro 24,

This is a Cardioid mic and will pick up sound from basically all directions, so IMO this is not what you are after.

Originally Posted by bobbster

and again at the other end 2 x AKG C1000s,

these are cardioid to hypercardioid rather than directional.

Originally Posted by bobbster

but on the AKG's I read one review saying point these away from the speakers otherwise you will pick up feedback???

Cheers Bob

Any mic used for the PA will pick up feedback if pointed at a speaker unless it is filtered out with parametic EQ. However you mic(s) will not be part of the PA system so will not be able to form feedback.

Have a look at This Web Site to see some of the pickup patterns of mics.

Mark.

[bobbster]

Ok Decided to go for 2 AKG C10000S mics one to each channel of the MA300. Couple of more questions. The speakers are about 8 ft apart will one hsort mic bar suffice pointing both mics to their relevant speaker?

Do I need maile/female xlr leads to connect the ma300 to the mics?

Thanks Bob

[MarkE19]

Originally Posted by bobbster

Ok Decided to go for 2 AKG C10000S mics one to each channel of the MA300. Couple of more questions. The speakers are about 8 ft apart will one hsort mic bar suffice pointing both mics to their relevant speaker?

Whenever I have done recordings not via a mixing desk I have had the 2 mics close together and crossed so the left mic points to the right speaker etc.

Originally Posted by bobbster

Do I need maile/female xlr leads to connect the ma300 to the mics?

Thanks Bob

There is a good chance that the mics will be supplied with XLR leads. But if not then almost certainly a M>F XLR lead is what you will need.

Mark.

[bobbster]

Hi Received the mics (AKG C1000S x2) leads etc today. Finished late tonight so did a quick test in front of the TV. Can't believe how quiet these are compared to the on camera mic. Still live stage test tomorrow so I think this is where the quality will shine through especially at the high noise levels.

[bobbster]

Hi, Many thanks to all who supplied information for me. I recorded music and video over three days and comments/feedback as regards the audio were really good, best sound yet!!! etc (things move fast though xm2 sold now looking for a Canon XH A1 !!!!!)