mic a trombone (V63 and OM 2)

[borednbuzzed]

Hello everyone,

I am going to be mikin' a trombone for a project I'm workin' on.. I think the style of that my trombone player will play is going to be New Orleans marching band type stuff (like Radiohead's "National Anthem" if you know that song) I don't have money to get any special mics that might work exceptionally well for this so I'm using what I have... A MXL V63 and an Audix OM 2... Any suggestions on a good set up to get a good sound from this brass? Thanks in advance

Scott

[chessrock]

Originally posted by borednbuzzed
I don't have money to get any special mics that might work exceptionally well for this

Yea you do.

The Behringer ecm8000 reference mic is $35, and it works exceptionally well for that.

[SteveMcB]

I haven't ever mic'ed a trombone, but in my (small) brass experience, either of those mics will work, but which you choose is really a style thing.

I recorded trumpet with an sm57 close and a Studio Projects C1 about 3-4 feet away and slightly off axis.

Trying both, close up - 57 gave warm, thick sound, while the C1 gave a lot of definition and was very bright. I was recording an old-school soul tune (kinda Ray CHarles or Sam and Dave) (in a kinda 2000's whiteboy kind of way) and so the warmth won out, but I mixed in a small amount of the C1 to add a bit of articulation and room sound.

But if it's an in-yer-face ska sound, the condensor close up might be the one. Try out the OM2 a foot or so from the bell, vs the V63 in the same position, vs more distant with each, vs a combination of the OM2 close up and the V63 a few feet away in the room - wander around listening for the sweetest spot in the room and put it there!

Good luck,
Steve

[Neil Ogilvie]

Originally posted by SteveMcB

But if it's an in-yer-face ska sound, the condensor close up might be the one

I mainly do (as Steve put it) 'in your face ska' - I actually play Trombone too.I usually use a Sennheiser e604 close up for a very very in your face sound, then a condensor (B1 or ecm8000) a foot or two away just for the extra 'sparkle'.

A condensor up close can get a good sound, but be careful not to damage it. You might want to look out for air blasts (a pop-shield will not be able to stop the bigguns) and depending on how hard and how long they are playing, sometimes a bit of spit might hit your precious condensor - you have been warned.

Neil

[BuildingStudios]

like was said earlyer... dont discount the 57 up close. I recorded trombones on a ska album recently... the 57 will give you a very raw in your face tone...

[Neil Ogilvie]

Originally posted by BuildingStudios
like was said earlyer... dont discount the 57 up close. I recorded trombones on a ska album recently... the 57 will give you a very raw in your face tone...

Just curious (I'm a big fan of Ska) - what album was it?

[BuildingStudios]

ohhh haha... It nothing that you would have ever heard of unless you live in Baton rouge. Just a high school band called "life in the mafia" . Some cool songs though.

[borednbuzzed]

hey, thanks for the tips ya'll!~

[Neil Ogilvie]

Originally posted by BuildingStudios
ohhh haha... It nothing that you would have ever heard of unless you live in Baton rouge. Just a high school band called "life in the mafia" . Some cool songs though.

Cool. Are they online? I'd be interested in hearing them

[BuildingStudios]

I dont think they have a website yet.. but i'll be sure to post them in the mp3 clinic as soon as we are done mixing.