Do I have to set levels?

A 32-bit float recording does not distort even when the level is set too high, and a quiet recording can be raised afterwards without loss. A sensible starting level is still good, so that monitoring on headphones is comfortable.

How much fits on a card?

It depends on the card size, the number of tracks and the sample rate. We work out the exact capacity when you order, once you tell us the length of the concert and the number of tracks.

Can we also record straight from the mixer?

Yes, besides the stereo pair the MixPre has two free inputs where the mixer's stereo output can be connected. Then you have both the room sound and a clean mix, and can blend them later.

Is the result usable straight away?

The files are ordinary WAV files that can be listened to and shared immediately. For a proper release it is worth doing post-production: balancing the pair and the mix, cutting pauses and normalising the level. The kit does not do that, but we can recommend someone who does.

Do I have to set levels?

A 32-bit float recording does not distort even when the level is set too high, and a quiet recording can be raised afterwards without loss. A sensible starting level is still good, so that monitoring on headphones is comfortable.

How much fits on a card?

It depends on the card size, the number of tracks and the sample rate. We work out the exact capacity when you order, once you tell us the length of the concert and the number of tracks.

Can we also record straight from the mixer?

Yes, besides the stereo pair the MixPre has two free inputs where the mixer's stereo output can be connected. Then you have both the room sound and a clean mix, and can blend them later.

Is the result usable straight away?

The files are ordinary WAV files that can be listened to and shared immediately. For a proper release it is worth doing post-production: balancing the pair and the mix, cutting pauses and normalising the level. The kit does not do that, but we can recommend someone who does.

Concert recording kit

This kit is for anyone who wants an honest recording of a concert, choir, chamber music or rehearsal without a studio or sound engineer. A Sennheiser MKH 8040 stereo pair on stands at the front of the hall picks up the whole stage and the room, and the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II records it in 32-bit float, where a badly set level does not ruin the take. The TASCAM FR-AV2 is a second, independent recorder running as a backup. The kit has no PA or mixer; it records rather than amplifies, and works alongside an existing sound system.

A typical day: stands go up before rehearsal, the microphones as a stereo pair in front of the stage above the first row, cables run to the MixPre at the side of the hall or by the mixer. Recording starts before the first note and runs until the final applause, while the backup recorder makes its own copy. Afterwards the memory card holds up to eight tracks: the stereo pair, any extra inputs and a finished mix. With four preamps on the MixPre, two more sources fit besides the pair, such as the mixer's stereo output or a soloist's microphone.

What is in the kit

Sound equipment		pcs	Price per 24 h rental
	Sound Devices MixPre6 MKII 8-track 32-bit float recorder 4 Preamp, 8 Track, 32-Bit Float Audio Recorder	pcs: 1	40 € / 24 h
	Sennheiser MKH8040 stereo pair Stereo pair of condenser mics Versatile cardioid microphone stereoset, 30-50,000 Hz, 142 dB SPL	pcs: 1	50 € / 24 h
	K&M 210/9 Mic stands Microphone stand, long	pcs: 2	4 € / 24 h 2 × 2 €
	TASCAM FR-AV2 Backup recorder Professional 2-Channel 32-Bit Float Audio Recorder	pcs: 1	10 € / 24 h
Kit total per 24 h rental			Kit total per 24 h rental:104 € / 24 h

Why these items

1.The Sound Devices MixPre-6 II is a four-input 32-bit float recorder with quiet preamps, where a burst of applause or a quiet pianissimo does not mean chasing levels; the recording can be normalised calmly afterwards.
2.The Sennheiser MKH 8040 stereo pair is two matched cardioid condenser microphones that can be set up as an ORTF or XY pair and handle the peaks of a loud orchestra.
3.Two K&M 210/9 tall microphone stands, one per microphone, let you set the spacing and angle of the pair freely and lift the microphones above the heads of the audience.
4.The TASCAM FR-AV2 is an independent two-track 32-bit float backup recorder; if anything happens to the main recorder, the card fills up or someone presses the wrong button, there is a second copy.

Setup and preparation

The stands go at the centre in front of the stage, the microphones side by side at an angle, capsules above the audience's heads and aimed at the stage. Cables are taped to the floor so nobody trips. The MixPre supplies phantom power to the microphones and records to the card; the backup recorder takes its signal either from the MixPre's output or from the mixer's record output, which is decided on site. Before the concert a short test recording is made and checked on headphones.

On your side you need memory cards for both recorders (we tell you the card types when you order), headphones for monitoring, power or batteries, since both units run on USB power or batteries, and someone to start the recording and stop it at the end. Agree with the organiser where the stands may go. On request our technician sets the microphone placement and levels, or records the whole concert; this is a separately priced service.

Suited for

Recording a choir or orchestra concert
Chamber music or solo recital in a church
Live recording in a band's rehearsal room
School concert or graduation for the archive

Not included

–Memory cards and headphones
–Sound engineer and post-production
–PA system and mixer

When to choose another kit

If you want each instrument on its own track besides the room pair, the MixPre's four inputs are too few; then the Live band kit for up to 200 people fits, as its Soundcraft Ui24R mixer records every channel multitrack to a USB drive, with this kit kept as the room pair alongside it. For a simple interview or speech recording the TASCAM FR-AV2 on its own with one microphone is enough; ask and we will put it together.