Help for Tracking 7 Piece Jazz Band...

[Sonixx]

I have a seven piece Jazz band coming in next month which consist of:

• 1 Trumpet
• 1 Alto Sax
• 1 Tenor Sax
• 1 Trombone
• 1 Standup Bass
• 1 Electric Piano
• 1 Kit

I have never tracked a Horn Section before as my experience is mainly with strings and percussion. The tracking will take place in my studio.

My question is capturing the horn section. Here's my mic locker:

• 2 e22S
• 2 NTK
• 2 mk012
• 2 C1
• 2 D112
• 1 4050
• 1 4033
• 1 460 (Cardioid)
• 1 U195
• 8 Sm57

Right now my thinking is to set the band up with the Horns up front, followed by the Bass, Piano and Kit in a triangular config, with the kit slightly behind the Bass and Piano. They play in this config often. The Bass and Kit will be mic'd, one on Bass (D112) and four on the kit (2-ovh (mk012), 1 snare (SM57) and 1 kick (D112)). I will mic the Piano amp (U195 or 4033) and take a direct feed.

Here's my question, I'm think of using the e22S mics as a spaced pair out front, versus two LDCs (NTK) and the 4050 in omni mode as a room mic. Also, I'm not adverse to purchasing two ribbons, maybe two R84's if this would up the quality for recording the horns.

Throw me some input and suggestions...

Thanks,
-Keith-

 

[AGCurry]

IMO a jazz drum kit (with a jazz drummer playing it) will not need a snare mic, and probably not a kick mic. I have recorded jazz drumming and found this to be the case, although YMMV.

I've used the D112 on URB and found it to be ... tubby. You might want to use one of your LDCs instead.

You're willing to buy a couple of R84s? That's a lot of money, but they're great microphones. Rather than set them up as a spaced pair, you might consider a Blumlein configuration (like X/Y but with figure-eights). You'll get great stereo imaging and may find that, in the mix, you won't need the room-mic track because it'll be handled superbly by the R84s. You may also not need some of your close-miked tracks.

Good luck.

 

[Sonixx]

yea... the close mics will be insurance takes...

if I get the R84s, I will try the Blumlein config. The e22S mics are SDC Cardioids and I usually like the spaced config better than X-Y with these.

to be truthful, I'm looking for an excuse to buy a pair of ribbons.

-kp-

 

[Sonixx]

I can surely use some help...

anyone willing to share their experience tracking Horns and using SDC vs Ribbons....