recording horns (eq, reverb, mic, compresion?)

[monk]

I'm looking for any advice to get a better recorded tone from solo trumpet. I'm using a tascam 246, shure 58 mic, alesis nanoverb, art compression/pre-amp. I've got two eq dials 1k-8k and 62k-1.5k. I need to know how to maximize the quality with what I have. I understand that all horn tones are different but I need some basic direction. Thanks in advance

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Friar Monk:

Suggest you add the reverb when you mix down. I'm not familiar with your recording box; I used to use a Tascam 488 before I went digital. Most recording boxes let you hear the reverb but don't actually record it unless you punch in the command to record with reverb. I like to add reverb during mixdown because I can tweak it to fit my ears or whatever effect I'm after.

Since you can't edit/program a nanno-verb, I think it might work better to add it when you mix-down.

Also tinker with your EQ to smooth out the horn. Don't know if a compressor is needed; I used to have one but found it made little or no difference in my final product so I pulled it from my recording chain. The fewer wires, the better the signal.

Keep twiddling the dials,

Green Hornet

 

[dobro]

This won't work as well with an SM-58 as with a condenser mic, but try different spots in the room, especially in relation to walls that reflect sound. I get a better sound plus natural reverb singing toward a wall, and about a meter from it.

More fun than talking to the wall, too.

 

[jnorman]

if you are laying down backing tracks for a pop tune, you can get away with a dynamic mic and the little alesis reverb, but for a more serious trumpet recording, you will need to get your hands on a bit more equipment. for a more rock-oriented solo, a good condenser is going to give you a much rounder and more crisp sound than a dynamic. for classical or jazz-oriented material, i would strongly recommend a ribbon mic - ribbons have an inherently smooth, warm sound that is almost impossible to match with any other kind of mic. work the mic slightly off-axis at around 2-3 feet. as mentioned above, track dry and add your effects later in the process. if the solo trumpet is the main ingredient of the song, try to get a high quality reverb to use for your final mix.