Here's a few tips for you, I've been recording shows for almost 4 years with pretty good results.
Getting a good audience recording isn't as easy as you think.
1. Always use fresh batteries, or fully charge your MD and make sure you carry a spare set.
2. Test you unit at home or outside the gig, make sure everything is working before the show.
2. Set your recording levels a little below the highest level, if you don't your recording will be distotorted and almost impossible to clean up.
It dosen't matter too much if your recording level is too low, you can always boost it when you transfer the recording to your computer.
3. Make sure you have a decent mic, this is most important. Most MD are pretty much the same in quality, the mic can make the difference bewtween a good recording and a not so good.
Use the one's that clip on to your jacket, never use a hand held mic. They aren't made for this type of thing, you'll get a sore arm, bumped and probably busted.
4. Stand well back, centre stage, even better is near the soundboard, this is usually the best place in the house for sound.
5. Avoid standing in crowds where there is lots of talking, your mic will pic this up and therefore spoil your recording. If you are crowded all the bumps you get from people will also show up on your recording.
6. Stand as still as you can, don't sing, scream up clap too much, as again this will be on your recording.
You learn yourself from experience on how to get a great recording, these are just a few tips I've learnt
When your transferring your recording to computer, record it to HD using Soundforge or Cool Edit, record the whole thing at once, then split the songs up. Then you can add some EQ or whatever to boost the sound. I usually leave it as it is.
Hope this helps, if you have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask
gaz - an Aussie who wishes he was in oz to see Opeth...
My equipment:
Sharp MD-MT 15 recorder (my advise is get one that uses disposable batteries and not a rechargable unit)
Sony MD with rechargable units are notorius for fucking up/recharge units dying.
Sony ECM-717 stereo digital mic.
