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Recording audio from the PA and venue microphones
■Recording acoustic music
Suspended microphones
AUDIO
Stage
■Recording popular music
PA mixer
Stage
One-point
microphones
It is not always possible to use an independent
microphone for each sound source. Also,
unwanted sound from the PA system can bleed
into the microphones. For these reasons,
professionals prefer a shared line when
recording on location. In other words, record
the signal directly from the line out of the PA
system.
Though this is a common practice, you should
politely request a shared line from the house
audio engineer because this can cause them
additional work.
The ultimate goal is to mix the audio recorded
directly from the PA system with audio from the
microphones that you set up in the venue. Next,
the discussion will focus on the audio obtained
from the line out of the PA system.
Which audio do you want?
The PA mixing console receives many audio
signals. While you could theoretically record all
o f t h e s e s i g n a l s , i t i s i m p r a c t i c a l w h e n
House sound system
4-Channel Portable Recorder
R-44
AUDIO
4-Channel Portable Recorder
R-44
AUDIO
considering the work involved for both you and
the house audio engineer.
Let's start with the PGM (program) out, which is
the same audio signal that is sent from the
mixing console to the amplifier which powers
the speakers heard at the venue. However, it is
not the identical sound because it is affected by
t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e a m p l i f i e r a n d
speakers. Even so, audio recorded from the
PGM out may not be suitable for your video
recording because this sound is mixed strictly
for room balance.
The PA audio may be mixed in a manner that
does not work well for video. For example, the
PA audio may need heavy suppression of some
of the high frequencies if feedback is produced
when sound from the speakers is picked up by
the microphones. In addition, audio from the
PGM Out may contain certain idiosyncrasies.
Audio sent to the PGM Out is mixed to suit the
venue and is adjusted for room acoustics. It is
important to be aware of this fact.
In a venue where a PA system is
not used, such as a classical music
concert, microphones suspended from
the ceiling can record clear sound to
capture the ambience. The picture
above shows microphones lowered
from the ceiling. Let the house audio
engineer choose the best vertical
positioning for the microphones.
If a PA system is the main audio source, try to
record directly from the line out. However, this
does not include the natural reverb or audience
reaction and applause. You should also record
additional audio with separate microphones to
capture the ambient audio to mix along with
the main sound later. You can bring your own
mixer and record the mix on the spot, or use a
recorder that has four independent channels
and mix after the fact which allows you to
match the balance with the scenes.
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