Recording Big Horns

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TCB

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What's up everybody.

I have a project coming up that needs to have a big, fat, in-your-face horn sound, a la Tower Of Power or Chicago.

I realize that a TOP horn sound is a lofty goal. What should I do to get in the ballpark?

Here's my options, mic-wise.

AKG 414
2 AT 3035
MD-421
57's and 58's.

I will be recording a trumpet, a sax and a trombone.

Thanks for any help you can give!

-Mark
 
While recording them, are they going to play at the same time? Will they be isolated from eachother, or are you going to overdubb? The condensors will give you a bigger sound than the 57 or 58.
 
You are not mentioning what you record to, analog or digital?
Which convertors? Which pre's?

My first choice would be a Neumann M(1)49 or U67
Second another tube condenser like MXL V69 or V77

For dynamic mics I would like a Sennheiser MD441, a EV RE20 or a Beyer M88.

All great horn mics

In your case I would try the 414 or the 421 (is it a MK1 or MK2?)
 
Hmmm. Well considering hes probably gonna try different pres if he has access to them i dunno why we need to know that. Same with converters.

His question was mics we suggest to use.

You should get a pretty decent sound with each instrument using the the with the MD421. But you might need to switch the 414 for the sax. But i would probably stay between those two mics for this situation. I think the MD421 will give you a tighter sound with each but not as big. It will really depend how loud they are playing and how bright you need it. MD421 for the harsh horns and the 414 for the softer warm ones would be the way i would turn.

And of course, like Han has mentioned, if you have a few selections of pres try them out, and converters, and analog vs digital. Pres really can change the sound of the mic for horns, so can converters and a and d. But im guessing like most people around here you dont have too many options in those areas anyway and if you did they are easiest to change around.

Placement will be a different issue. The trombone you can sometimes get away with place the mic right infront of the bell about a foot to 3 feet away. But the trumpet generally needs to be a little off axis and pointed in when i record it. That could be the same for the trombone but i find it generally needs that less than the trumpet ;). Sax is a different ballgame and i probably shouldnt say much about it since i havnt mic'd them up much.
Anyway

Danny
 
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