Radio Comedy Setup

[Andy Goddard]

Ok, so I want as much control as possible over the sound for as little expense as possible.

So far my setup has been 4 dynamic microphones for performers with a condenser facing the audience, separating them by panning the performers hard left and the condenser hard right. Unfortunately my desk is only a xenyx series and so my output tracks are only left and right. Ideally I'd have separate recording tracks for each performer and a left-right recording track for the audience. I run logic pro on my mac so handling the multiple tracks is not an issue. However I am limited by my desk.

So, if anybody has any advice on the cheapest way to handle this many tracks, preferably with a usb output so I can run it straight into my mac, that would be greatly appreciated.

cheers

 

[Josh Millward]

Re: Radio Comedy Setup

Ok, so I want as much control as possible over the sound for as little expense as possible.

Oh don't we all... :lol:

So far my setup has been 4 dynamic microphones for performers with a condenser facing the audience, separating them by panning the performers hard left and the condenser hard right. Unfortunately my desk is only a xenyx series and so my output tracks are only left and right. Ideally I'd have separate recording tracks for each performer and a left-right recording track for the audience. I run logic pro on my mac so handling the multiple tracks is not an issue. However I am limited by my desk.

So you only need to record 5 tracks? One track for each of the four performers and only one audience mic? Even doing two audience mics would only get your channel count to six inputs... this could easily be handled by most any 8 input USB device.

So, if anybody has any advice on the cheapest way to handle this many tracks, preferably with a usb output so I can run it straight into my mac, that would be greatly appreciated.

cheers

Personally, I have a pair of the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R boxes (8 input and 8 output each) and they seem to work really well. You could use your computer to record all the tracks simultaneously. What software do you use? I use REAPER because it is easy, cheap, and I am little more than a hobby recordist.

Do you also have to provide audio reinforcement for the show? Honestly, that would be better handled by a separate rig with the inputs split to feed the recording system and the live FoH system. However, it may be possible to use your recording software to also feed an output to drive the audio system... that will depend highly on your recording software.

Good luck and have fun out there!

 

[Andy Goddard]

Re: Radio Comedy Setup

I run Logic Pro on a Mac and already feed the sound back into a Laney 50th anniversary multi fx amp. Cheers for the advice I will probably get one of those M-Audio things unless anyone else has any objections.

 

[Mike Brown]

Re: Radio Comedy Setup

I run Logic Pro on a Mac and already feed the sound back into a Laney 50th anniversary multi fx amp. Cheers for the advice I will probably get one of those M-Audio things unless anyone else has any objections.

Hi Andy,

A cheap 8 channel recording interface is probably just up your ally.

I believe the xenyx consoles have direct outs? Just connect those direct outs to the "line inputs" of your cheap recording interface in logic and you are done. Set the mic pre's so that you average around -20 dBFS in your DAW or/and peak below -6 dbFS to avoid accidental digital clipping and you should have a safe and easy show.