A couple weeks ago I purchased a video recorder for the ridiculously low price of $29. The quality if OK for YouTube, the audio is marginal, but again, OK for YouTube. My primary purpose for purchasing the camera was to video some of my cruises down Chesapeake Bay and the east coast on my sailboat. My daughter talked me into using it to record some music jobs at various locations, which I recently did.

Unfortunately, I'm a true novice at working with these new, digital, video formats and when you're my age, the learning curve is like climbing Mount Everest. I finally figured out how to synchronize the audio with the video, and do some minor editing using Windows Live Video.

The best attributes of the camera is I can put it on a mic stand with the supplied adapter, press the start button, and record the entire performance. This provides me with the ability to peruse the performance, see exactly what I'm doing wrong, what I'm doing right, and make appropriate changes. I sincerely believe we are our own worst critic, which is a good thing. I also have my wife look at the videos, make suggestions, and yes, I value her criticism. (I don't tell her that enough, but I really do value her opinions.)

I place the video recorder about 6 feet from the keyboard, off to the side. It allows me to see the number of button pushes, etc... involved with each song, and the dead time between songs. I believe that anything more than a couple seconds seems like eternity to the audience. Consequently, toward the end of each song I find myself selecting the registration or MFD entry for the next song, which causes the loss of some eye contact with the audience. Despite the fact this is only for about 3 seconds, to me it's two seconds too long. I didn't realize this was happening until I perused the video.

Here's a cut from today's Father's Day performance, one that also tells me that I need to bring up the vocals a notch to achieve better balance. And yes, Tony, it's in sync and it's me using my right hand.



Cheers,

Gary

Nice work Gary! I record myself all the time just to make sure it's really as good as I think it is. The camera doesn't lie.

Joe

heeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaa Gary, watch it this may be that test I told you about.


Digadi Dog and only one finger now Gary, getting better every demo...

You will need to lower that camera a bit I can't see all the righthand you could be a magician and all.

Tony

Nice work Gary and audience enjoyed it too.

Thanks guys. I guess Tony didn't get the point, though about the post. (His nurse probably forgot to give him his morning medications.)

For me, that $29 video camera is a great tool, and as Joe said, the camera doesn't lie. I sincerely believe it's an investment in your musical career - not just a gadget to put stuff on YouTube. Not only does it allow you to see how you look to your audiences, it also allows you to hear what you are producing, albeit not high quality. I equate this to something I did 50 years ago when I first got into broadcast radio. I recorded my newscasts on audio tape (the wide stuff), then played them back, listening carefully to voice inflections, phrasing, etc..., things that made the newscasts sound both interesting and professional. It made a huge difference, led to several promotions, and eventually landed a job with a large, local radio station. Like I said above, we are our own worst/best critics. The camera just makes it a lot easier to critique our performances.

Cheers,

Gary

Thanks for posting this info and vids Gary. I bought a small Kodak video camera some time back, used it 2X and put it aside. Kodak has a proprietary OS and it requires purchase of software to edit. The free software is convoluted and for me, I didn’t think it was worth the time needed to get the desired results. You’ve given me some encouragement to give it another shot.
Ciao,
Jerry

Nice job as usual Gary.....good quality recording also!!

BTW Gary have you seen my new address no one appears to have noticed LOCATION in avatar

Jerry,

As long as you don't have to send the film away to be developed with no sound it will be OK.

Tony

Gary, your so smoooth when you perform and that voice of yours is killer!!!

I'm a huge fan. Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed it.