Currently in the strange situation of having a complete 8 track analog studio without the 8 track. (it left with its owner). Until I buy my own this summer, I'm having a blast doing the "live to 2 track" thing. Talk about a learning experience! Mostly basic rock stuff: trio with a singer or two guitar, Beatles-like lineup. When recording with 6 to 8 mics to two track, there's no problem. But for some dates, we try and just use two mics. For instrumentals, the two mic setup works fine. But how the hell do you record a rock band with vocals with just two mics? Do I just try to capture the vocal sound coming off the PA system? Do I give up and add a third mic and stick that mic immediately adjacent to the PA vocal mic? Ibet there's a really smart answer to my dumb question. Thanks.
steve
Comments
Set up your 6 or 8 mics as you normally would, as well as the stereo mic/s. Get the stereo mic/s as close to the desired blend as possible, and pull up the direct mics as needed. The closer you get the stereo pair to perfect, the less level you'll need on the directs, and the less phase problems there will be.
As always, YMMV. Good luck! :)