Chili
Site Moderator
My son plays trumpet. I record him with a LDC for his skill tests. I don't think there's any special tips or tricks to record a trumpet. Stick a mic in front and have fun.
He's been playing for 3 years now and is way beyond any skill level I ever was at his age. We're fortunate that band in his school is a one hour class every day. He's 13 and ready to do some improv on my songs. We're working stuff out now.
He's been playing for 3 years now and is way beyond any skill level I ever was at his age. We're fortunate that band in his school is a one hour class every day. He's 13 and ready to do some improv on my songs. We're working stuff out now.
kip4
Well-known member
Cool thanks Chili.
So I won't need to bust out the ribbon mic
So I won't need to bust out the ribbon mic
rob aylestone
Moderator
Well - there are tons in my mic box I would not use. First thing is simply volume. When you are learning this might not be a problem, but a trumpet, or any valve or extending tube instrument can be amazingly loud. So a mic with a pad can be very important. Some mics are also too sensitive to on-axis wind - so some of the usual condensers might make pretty awful noises. For me, it would be a large diaphragm condenser or even something simple like an SM57, or a Beta 57.
A worse problem is that many brass players cannot play standing still, so the bell waves all over the place, and as the instrument goes off-axis it gets thin and weedy very quickly. Live players often use clip on mics to ensure this doesn't happen, but this close in position isn't brilliant for out and out sound quality - just too close for a quality recording. Some players also have amazingly clanky playing technique and their valves make a lot of noise, so keeping them still to find the optimum position is very hard. A hyper might be better for some players if they stand still, so it can be a little further away, but others might need being in closer. If they are good and do lots of high note splitting, then a condenser is pretty essential. Giving a trumpet player headphones can also be troublesome, as those unused to recording will tell you the tone is all wrong, but it's because they've never heard what you hear from the front - the sound they hear is totally different, so expect comments on the sound. Lots of brass players cannot play without music, so a stand needs squeezing in for them. If it's your own studio - also be aware they let the damn things dribble onto your floor - so if the floor covering or surface is precious, tell them - because spit stains! You need to be able to cope with identifying timbres that are 'art' vs timbres that are bad technique and need repairing. Telling a player he sounds very raspy or breathy can be a compliment or an insult, so take care. For me, brass is one of the hardest sound sources to get right.
A worse problem is that many brass players cannot play standing still, so the bell waves all over the place, and as the instrument goes off-axis it gets thin and weedy very quickly. Live players often use clip on mics to ensure this doesn't happen, but this close in position isn't brilliant for out and out sound quality - just too close for a quality recording. Some players also have amazingly clanky playing technique and their valves make a lot of noise, so keeping them still to find the optimum position is very hard. A hyper might be better for some players if they stand still, so it can be a little further away, but others might need being in closer. If they are good and do lots of high note splitting, then a condenser is pretty essential. Giving a trumpet player headphones can also be troublesome, as those unused to recording will tell you the tone is all wrong, but it's because they've never heard what you hear from the front - the sound they hear is totally different, so expect comments on the sound. Lots of brass players cannot play without music, so a stand needs squeezing in for them. If it's your own studio - also be aware they let the damn things dribble onto your floor - so if the floor covering or surface is precious, tell them - because spit stains! You need to be able to cope with identifying timbres that are 'art' vs timbres that are bad technique and need repairing. Telling a player he sounds very raspy or breathy can be a compliment or an insult, so take care. For me, brass is one of the hardest sound sources to get right.
kip4
Well-known member
Thanks for that. I have a nice Hyper too. I guess i'll have to play and do some test recordings until i'm happy with the sound i'm getting.
First things first i'll have to learn to play and get an instrument.
First things first i'll have to learn to play and get an instrument.
grimtraveller
If only for a moment.....
I've found a lot of the stuff rob aylestone points out is true although I have very little experience recording actual trumpet. Saxophones, clarinets, euphoniums and flutes far more.
Coming from Chili's direction, I've found that experimenting with dynamics and condensers and the actual placements and the different pre~amps and their settings have been beneficial. Even with the same player there's a variation in tone, performance and breath/valve noises at different times. I just stick the mic anywhere in the room depending on how I feel ! I get the player to play just to see what level and sound I get and then away we go !
By the way, props to you for taking up an instrument like the trumpet at your stage in life. I think that's neat.
Coming from Chili's direction, I've found that experimenting with dynamics and condensers and the actual placements and the different pre~amps and their settings have been beneficial. Even with the same player there's a variation in tone, performance and breath/valve noises at different times. I just stick the mic anywhere in the room depending on how I feel ! I get the player to play just to see what level and sound I get and then away we go !
By the way, props to you for taking up an instrument like the trumpet at your stage in life. I think that's neat.
rob aylestone
Moderator
I've been really lucky in that I've been able to learn nearly every instrument I've tried to an OK level - but the only two I ever failed on are trumpet and trombone. I know how to play them, but I can't get used to the lip tingles. It feels like millions of ants crawling down my face, and despite trying and trying, they are the only things I gave up, and sold the instruments. Friends who play encouraged me to carry on, but I just couldn't stand the sensation. Sax and clarinet are fine, but trumpet - yuk! The first failure in 30 years!