concert bootleggers: how do they do it?

[Syrinx]

I mean how do they sneak the recorders in? They pat you down when you go in.

Sorry if I'm bringing up Rush too much lately, but there's a boot out of the May 26 show in Nashville, and I swear it may be as good as the album Exit Stage Left. And it definitely sounds better than All The World's A Stage.

How do these people do it?

(PS -- Search WinMX or Kazaa or Usenet for "30 Year's Strong" by Rush. It's an amazing bootleg.)

[MrSlayer]

1. A lot of them are right off the soundboard.

And recorded by the soundman himself. Your best quality boots are done that way. I used to bootleg at club shows and a lot of time you can bribe a guard or whoever to let you in with the recording device. It's also easy to get a minirecorder in these days, they are small and still give decent quality, just stuff it down your pants. They pat you down but they don't grab your genital area. Years ago you would stick the recorder in your boot, thus the term.

[Syrinx]

4. I was thinking it was a board recording it was so good

But there's a good bit of crowd noise, at least in the first part. More "whooing" than is typical. :)

But I think it could be an inside job. Alex! :)

[MI Cherie]

2. Ummm, how many ...

... pregnant-looking ladies are there?

Long time ago, I stuffed a flask of wine under my shirt looking "that way."

I don't do that kind of stuff anymore, though!

:hi:

[Syrinx]

5. hey!

I'm thinking of going to Toronto on August 22, but I doubt I'll make it.

[Tom Kitten]

3. A friend who works the soundboard...

A lot of the logistics are (or at least used to be) left up to the local promoters or clubowners...An ex-roomie of mine went into the business, he had hundreds of soundboard tapes...When I was in hospital he gave me a couple dozen great live tapes...Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, the Police, Stray Cats, Grateful Dead, David Bowie, Eric Burdon, Patti Smith, Blondie,etc...

Plus when punk and grunge ruled (before it got big) they didn't search you entering the small clubs they played at...a deluxe walkman did the trick...

I suppose it's different nowadays but who cares about current music ?

[Syrinx]

6. Count Floyd!

SCTV was my favorite show of all time!

[tcfrogs]

7. That's why I like bands that allow taping

The Dead, Widespread Panic, Phish, Blues Traveler...

Only enhances buying the CD's...

[Syrinx]

9. Tales

Widespread Panic had controversy in Birmingham... forget the details. Lots of stoned hippies. :)

Phish broke up.

Blues Traveler Popper keeps yo-yoing.

;)

[tcfrogs]

11. Widespread is only taking the year off...

Been together since 1985 - I think they deserve it. Ridiculous touring since the late 80's.

[LosinIt]

8. A guy I work with does this as a 'hobby', doesn't sell it

He has a whole outfit including hat and jacket that has the equipment in it I guess.

[guitar man]

10. Pocket minidisc recorders

Very small and compact, hide easily in a shirt pocket etc. and a pair of mini mics like these:

http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/gs/gs-micline1.html


Soundboard recordings are usually better,but I have heard some pretty good bootlegs made with the above equipment. Position in the room etc. effects the quality a lot.

Note: I am not suggesting anyone do anything illegal. this posting is for informational purposes only.

[bbernardini]

12. Don't spread around mp3 versions of "30 Years Strong", though!

The lossless version is probably still available as a torrent download on sharingthegroove.org.

[Syrinx]

13. yep

And it's still on Usenet if you have a server with decent retention times.

(That dude got pissed about people mp3'ing his recording. I just made an mp3 of it for personal use at "--alt-preset insane." :) )