recording brass? nothin' new, just a good read

[Big Kenny]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/find/n...rdingBrass.jsp
(first mic choice notwithstanding)

[benmanhaha]

That's a great article, thanks. I'm in a small group with a small budget, and we were thinking of going with an SM57, because we've been reading that it's a good all around mic. Any idea on whether this will sound ok, or any ideas for semi-cheap alternatives? Most mics in that article were $400.00 or above.

[Big Kenny]

what's in the group?

[benmanhaha]

You make a good point.

We've got one vocalist, one alto sax, one tenor sax, one trombone, two trumpets, and while we have the option of running guitar and bass directly to the computer, we're considering mic'ing the amps.

[pohaku]

SM-57s will do on a budget. If you can find any used RE-20 for @$200 or so, that would be a significant improvement for brass, saxes and vocals. I've always used dynamic or ribbon mics for brass and reeds, although I'm sure the right condenser would do well too.

[benmanhaha]

Ok, thanks for the info. I'm fairly new to recording so thanks for humoring me.

[ittam]

ADK have a new version of their new mic suitable for horns, 7b or something
Edit. http://adkmic.com/catalog/audiophileseries/S-7B.php


Matti

[Big Kenny]

cad m179 in the omni

[benmanhaha]

Which would you consider to be a better all around mic, the cad, or the sm57? It seems as though they are comparably priced.

As a side question, what is better, a high impedance, or a low impedance? Or is there a better, or only a different?

[ittam]

They are all around 200 ohms balanced, these mentioned

Matti

[fraserhutch]

Personally, I cannot stand SM57s for brass.

Originally Posted by pohaku

SM-57s will do on a budget. If you can find any used RE-20 for @$200 or so, that would be a significant improvement for brass, saxes and vocals. I've always used dynamic or ribbon mics for brass and reeds, although I'm sure the right condenser would do well too.

[second skin]

why not go with a fat head if you are on a budget. it's only 50 bucks more than the sm57 and would probably sound great

[benmanhaha]

Originally Posted by second skin

why not go with a fat head if you are on a budget. it's only 50 bucks more than the sm57 and would probably sound great

Fat head being the CAD? Just want to make sure.

[ittam]

He means Cascade Fathead ribbon mic, there are other similiar also

Matti

[pohaku]

Originally Posted by fraserhutch

Personally, I cannot stand SM57s for brass.

Well, it depends what you want to spend. For $80, an SM-57 will do OK - kind of a lowest common denominator mic. Having a decent preamp will help the SM-57 as well. I'd prefer an RE-20 of course, for $200-300. Or better yet, an AEA R-84 for $800-1000. I have one and if I actually recorded more horns I'd be tempted to get a second one. But I had the impression we had serious budget considerations here.

I've not tried one on horns or brass, but I suspect the CAD M179 Big Kenny suggested would probably work pretty well and they are only $125 or so.

[Big Kenny]

You have phantom power right? CAD is a nice mic for lots of different things. I've seen them used for $75

[benmanhaha]

Is phantom power a necessary thing to have for the CAD?

[pohaku]

All condenser mics, with the exception of the few that can use batteries, will require phantom power. If your preamp/mixer doesn't have it, you can get an outboard phantom power unit for fairly cheap.

[Sloan]

hlysht. great job at making the flute look totally gay:

[pohaku]

Originally Posted by Sloan

hlysht. great job at making the flute look totally gay:

Not an original graphic of course. Ian's been doing that for years.

[fraserhutch]

Yes, they sound MUCH better!

Originally Posted by second skin

why not go with a fat head if you are on a budget. it's only 50 bucks more than the sm57 and would probably sound great

[fraserhutch]

I can't speak of the CAD not having used it, but I have an SM57, a Cascade Fat Head and an AEA R84. I prefer the AEA of course, but then again, that's why I got it

I have decent preamps. They don't do much to help the SM57 with trumpets.

The Fat Head is, IMHO, a much better choice than the SM57 for not much more. We were talking "semi-cheap", not Ultra cheap", I believe. If the budget was < $100, then, yes, the SM57 might be a decent choice. Even then, though.....

All my $0.02. YMMV.

Originally Posted by pohaku

Well, it depends what you want to spend. For $80, an SM-57 will do OK - kind of a lowest common denominator mic. Having a decent preamp will help the SM-57 as well. I'd prefer an RE-20 of course, for $200-300. Or better yet, an AEA R-84 for $800-1000. I have one and if I actually recorded more horns I'd be tempted to get a second one. But I had the impression we had serious budget considerations here.

I've not tried one on horns or brass, but I suspect the CAD M179 Big Kenny suggested would probably work pretty well and they are only $125 or so.

[benmanhaha]

Thanks very much for all the input.

[misterlong]

I would go with a ribbon. Either the fathead, which I haven't used, but hear is great on horns, or an apex 205. I have 2 of the latter and love them on horns. I have moded them a little (check on here to see how) but even right out of the box they work great on trombones, saxes and trumpets as well as a bunch of other stuff. I use them to record my section all the time. I think you can get them in the us for about 90 bucks each.
Highly recommended. I liked the first one so much I bought 2!
long