Nalencer said:
Ok, I'm recording a harmonica. I'd like to know what people's thoughts are on recording them. My idea is to do it like a vocal, just set up my B-1 and play it? Or is there another way to do it.
This is one of those questions where I admit I can't see what other answers anyone might give, but I'm gonna ask anyway. So, tips, methods, or anything else on recording harmonica.
What style and type are you playing?
If you're playing a diatonic in
a cross-harp style, I'd switch to a mic type that you can hold in your hand (a typical dynamic or better yet a bullet condensor), then practice playing while being able to hold the mic and the harp in your hand at the same time.
For example, if you normally hold the mic in your left hand and cup with your right, here's the position you take:
1.) Sandwich the harp between your left thumb on the bottom and your left index finger on the top as normal.
2.) Drop your left middle finger straight down vertically in front of the harp.
3.) Use the remaining two fingers to get a grab around the head of the mic (a ball mic like a Shure58 or a bullet mic like
an Astatic JT30 or Shure520 are best for this). Use your dropped middle finger as a "buffer" or "padding" between the harp and the grille of the mic so that they stay close and the same distance from each other, but don't rub up against each other and make noise.
4.) Then bring up your right hand to cup both the harp and the mic with your whole right hand.
This may feel a little awkward at first, but you get used to it real quick. This allows you to use the cupping to create your "wah" sounds as you wish, it also gives a good proximity effect for the mic and enclosed space for the harp to give that gritty, bluesey sound.
Also, I would not recommend for this type of playing/sound recording the mic direct (through a pre, of course.) I'd instead run your hand mic through a small amp/cabinet and then in turn micing the cabinet with something simple like your B1 or better yet a 57. This will give you that real James Cotton/Paul Butterfield sound. If the cabinet has a tube-driven preamp, don't be afraid to overdrive it to get that "dirt" in there.
If you're playing a more melodic or eastern-European style music or playing a larger chromatic harp, then the handheld technique may not work so well. In that case then yes, mounting your B1 (or a dynamic like a 57) in front maybe 3 inches or so will work (pop filter recommended). The key here is to mount the height of the mic to match your most comfortable position for playing the harp. If you get the best sound/wind with your chin slightly elevated, then mount the mic a little high so you elevate your chin to point at it. If you play with your chin in your chest, then mount the mic low accordingly.
HTH,
G.