Thread: Which microphone for outdoor concerts?

The performers are miked, and using a PA - from the video it's clear the people doing sound are trying hard. I would not expect any form of stereo miking to produce quality much better than what you recorded. What you recorded was what it sounded like where you were. Moving to a better position would bring up the sound from the PA a little, but you're still recording the sound of an already amplified source - which rarely sounds 'special'. Depending on the facilities available to you, camera sound plus a stereo out from the desk will improve quality, even if the mix does not contain everything being played. If the organisers can include in the rider for the next event the requirement for a separate mix, maybe, just maybe you will get it - but even so, you're expecting the sound op to work for you when they're busy doing their own thing. There are plenty of multichannel solutions available, but even if you can record a clean feed of all sources, you still have to mix the thing - and if sound isn't your main area, this could be difficult for you.

I'm lucky, I can do these events, and mix them afterwards but the time it takes is not compatible with modest budgets. Equally as long as your edit time.

One Q that's not been tackled is that of Copyright

- Is Op doing this FOR the organiser? or just for their own use (or as a Fan, perhaps?). Many events don't like the Public video-recording, as they see this as a loss of revenue...why turn up if tomorrow it will be on YouTube?

The film-position rather points to this. along with the Q's regarding audio improvements. er, IMHO.

Also, I gather that YouTube is becomming more difficult with recordings where copyright isn't cleared.

I assumed the OP had been asked to do it, and the promoter had tackled that issue, but you could be right. Every rider for theatre shows I have received this year has had a very strict term in the contract - usually detailed as it is the promotor's responsibility to prevent audio and video recording. Some are even insisting that if people hold up their i-phones, then the venue must stop it immediately. Some don't care at all. The Searchers encourage people to take pictures and ignore the signs, while others want it stopped immediately! They really mean this, and I spend much time as a production manager trying to find the people in the audience the turns have reported by mouthing to me "woman in third row - camera!"