Recording Live - First Experience

[johnkeel]

Hi all!

Here´s what i would like to share with you.
Im a keyboard player for a metal bad, but recently and just for fun we decided to start a parallel project, a blues and rock thing, small project 1keyboard, 1guitar, 1bass, 1singer, drums are trigged by me, we play in club and live music bars in a relaxed and fun environment.

Since i have a small studio at home i was placed in charge of sound stuff for this project, and until now i only used a mixing table with everything connected there then all went to PA. I must say the table we had was nothing great... i would even say it is nice piece of ••••, but the point is to minimize gear carriage, you know, simplify the all thing.

But last gig we really wanted to record something for myspace and promotion so i decided to take some risks and take some of my gear parts, i setup a rack with MOTU 828mk3 + 8Pre, a rack mixing table for output volume control per instrument/voice, a voltage stabilizer and a laptop on top to record each track individually on samplitude pro.

Well the thing is, not only i was amazed with the recording, first time i do something live, but also with sound quality.
I took the motu with several presets ready since i wanted to try out with some DSP usage since it´s hardware available, like limiting and compression and some EQ. On the stage i had to only touch a bit on EQ but the sound was amazing.

I just wanted to share this, since hardware like 828mk3 and 8pre works without a pc just like a mixing table, im thinking of always playing this show with everything going to the MOTU hardware, then output each instrument/voice on different 828mk3 outputs to a mixing table for the sound dude to work on minimal volume changes during the show and keep control on each instrument/vocal volume.

Before i tested this for recording i tried to get some opinions on how to do things with my hardware but in two forums no one even reply, now im just happy that last night i was able to get success. And hopefully i will get some thoughts here.

[Pappy725]

DId you post here? Somebody's always ready to give you a piece of their mind... Uh, I mean advice.
It's cool everything worked out so well. That's what I do with my gear is record bands live. I have the 828mkII and an 8Pre. It's been rock solid now for years. And you're right, the sound quality is amazing. That's why we love MOTU!
Congrats and good luck recording more in the future.
Live recordings are the way to go, IMHO.

Pappy

[jcp]

There is no question i made in all Motunation's Forums that no one answered me, even the most simple, funny or stupid question, is -friendly- answered (thanks motunation guys). Congratullations for entering to the live recordings, it ain't easy. I own a 896mk3 in the studio and it is the best interface i've worked. Maybe you want to share your work, where?

[BradLyons]

Congrats! I agree, recording live AINT EASY! I do it all the time and it's not small events, either. Every venue has its own issues, then comes what gear to use to get the job done, which microphones to use where which is no small feet in itself considering I might be using (60) microphones and have to decide what instruments get which microphone, bleed, not enough sound, etc. Please, post some samples!

[justbrad]

Excellent! Am I understanding this correctly? Can use an 8pre & 828mk2 as the mixing board? And can I put real time effects like EQ and reverb that will be sent to the main outs on the 828 as I record on my laptop? I'd like to eliminate the small Mackie board I use and if I've read it right it is possible. Please correct me if I'm wrong... it's been known to happen

[Pappy725]

The mkII doesn't have the effects. That's the 828mkIII, with the version of CueMix that comes with it.
Yes, I used just my 828mkII to mix with, but it's a lot easier with a computer to run CueMix instead of using the LCD readout. (Mine died years ago, haven't missed it all that much.)
Ran a stereo pair out for FOH and another for monitors. You could have 3 monitor mixes actually, or more utilizing panning between the stereo outputs. It only takes one channel to output to my IEs.

HTH,
Pappy

[justbrad]

Thanks for the reply Pappy... but I need a bit of clarification. I want to use the 828mkII and an 8pre... run it thru my laptop (recording each track individually) ) and then run the mix, with effects, to the speakers. Is this possible with the 828mkII or is the mkIII required. Wouldn't adding the 8pre allow me to have the effects in real time?

I do appreciate your input! Br

[Pappy725]

No, the 828mkII doesn't have the FX, it's the mkIII. Nor does the 8pre have the effects.

You can record the individual tracks, route them out to an amp for mains and monitors using CueMix, but you won't be able to effect the outputs unless you run them through an external effects box.
It's a minor annoyance but not a deal killer in my book.

Pappy

[justbrad]

Thanks for the clarification Pappy... now if you could explain why I always have to buy new gear to do what I want to do... oh right, I now have a studio and an endless list of gear to get!

[Pappy725]

It's the curse of the gear sluts.

Oooooh pretty, me want!

Pappy