The Live Taper's Survival Guide v1.0
GENERAL THOUGHTS: =================
This is a beginner's guide for taping live music.
First things first: Know your equipment. Know its strengths and its weaknesses. Know where to set your levels. Know how long your batteries will last, to the minute. Know how long your tapes will last, to the second. Practice your tape flips (a good flip in a TCD-D5M can be done in less than a second!).
Know the equipment you're likely to be patched into. Know if the operator of that equipment is competent. Is the equipment reliable? Will its batteries last through the set, the show? Does it pass a signal during the flip?
Know the venue and the sound system. Know where and how to set up your mics. Know whether or not FOB taping is allowed, and whether you'll get tossed or have your tapes confiscated if you get caught anyway.
Know the people you're taping with.
THE TAPER'S CHECKLIST: ======================
MICS: ----- mics (bodies and capsules) mic stand mic mounts wind screens (outdoors) umbrella (outdoors) t-bar and adapter(s) power supply mic cables, longer mic cables PS cables (PS <-> deck) power supply batteries extra power supply batteries duct/electrical tape
DECK: ----- Deck batteries tapes extra batteries extra tapes patch cords patch cord adapters (1/4" mono, 1/4" stereo, 1/8" stereo, RCA, XLR) splitters (patch in at the side of the chain vs. the end) battery charger, 120VAC deck PS (use when touring) more duct/electrical tape
ACCESSORIES: ------------ flashlight + batteries extra flashlight batteries pocket knife stopwatch voltmeter pen and paper (setlists/names/numbers) plastic bags (outdoors) towel beer food, chair, and blanket(s) sunglasses and sunscreen tickets - "Taper Tickets" are necessary at Phish/Dead shows! Did I mention duct and electrical tape?
...and something to carry all this crap in!
Borrow (borrowing is free -- well, everyone appreciates a beer ;-) or rent a battery powered pro portable analog deck like a Sony analog D5 ('full-sized' = 2"x8"x10"), a Sony analog D6 (walkman sized), or one of the pro Marantz models ('full-sized'). It might cost as much as $100 for a week, or $50 for a weekend to rent, plus deposit. I don't know where to get one though -- try your local pro music shop and/or the yellow pages or the dealers listed in the Mic-FAQ.
If you're going to be patching, bring a selection of patch cables. RCA plugs and 1/8" headphone jack plugs are the most common, but it can't hurt to bring 1/4" plugs too. I use RCA 'Y' cables, so I can patch into a chain from the side -- splitting the signal -- it's a lot easier to get higher up in the chain this way.
Tips (before showtime): - bone up on your flipping skills (especially in 'concert mental state')! - bone up on your setup and break-down skills (in 'concert metal state') - bring a flashlight. - bring extra batteries for everything. - bring extra tapes. - bring a pen and paper for the setlist. - get a taper's ticket (if going to a Dead or Phish show ;-). - if you're going outside: bring RAIN gear, bring a blanket (claim your space!) and a chair, etc... - bring food, drinks, etc. (M&M's make friends, beer makes lasting friends!) Caution: may require smuggling.
Tips (showtime): - NO TALKING during the show! - DO be polite. Everyone in front of you in the chain is your best friend, and the guy with the mics is your very best friend! - DON'T get in the way of people setting up their gear -- if you're patching, you'll have comparatively little to deal with. This often includes not asking 'dumb' questions -- no question is dumb, but bothering people who are trying to work IS. Ask 'dumb' questions during the setbreak. - DON'T get in the way of people during the show who have to tend to their gear, flip tapes, replace batteries, etc. This is more of a problem indoors.
-----------------------