Recording horns; how do you go about recording them?

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gtfdrummer

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i have recorded a horn group several times with good results. my set up was, 2 trombones with 421s on both close mic'ed, Sax and trumpet close mic'ed with sm57s, and Rode Nt2a about 5-6 feet away as a room mic.

like i said i have got good results recording this way and was happy when mixing them. but i was wondering if anyone else has used other methods and also got good tracks.
 
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That's always a good set up if the bone players are always on the microphone but some of the seasoned pros that I've worked with prefer a 57 so they can "work" the mic, they just know that microphone and it becomes, I guess, part of their instrument to achieve the sound they like.

Good session players that know what they are are doing can get away with this same on the sax or other horns.
But for that matter I guess they could do the same with a $5K microphone just as well.
 
yeah i understand what you mean. i have seen it done many times both live and studio. i just guessed what mic possitions i thought would give me the best sound and went with it. as for mics i did change some out and then when with that i thought sounded the best.

I had the brass stand 6-8" from the mic and then had the sax about 4" away. i thought it gave me the best sound. i just didnt know if someone had a better way to record a horn section.
 
Well with what you used is a good set up.
But you didn't mention your other microphones in your locker to choose from ... or are you looking to purchase more of a selection?
 
d12 x2
beta 52
e904 x3
beta 56 x3
sm57 x 4
421 x2
akg 414
rode nt2a x2
rode nt5 pair

and yes i am looking to buy more, who isnt lol
 
/sigh... i will need to find a very understanding wife. that might be the hardest part of recording!
 
gtfdrummer said:
i have recorded a horn group several times with good results. my set up was, 2 trombones with 421s on both close mic'ed, Sax and trumpet close mic'ed with sm57s, and Rode Nt2a about 5-6 feet away as a room mic.

like i said i have got good results recording this way and was happy when mixing them. but i was wondering if anyone else has used other methods and also got good tracks.
Click to expand...

I was experimenting once, and put up a cheap Behringer C2 on a sax.

I was so impressed, that I usually go to that first.

Here is a short sample from a live recording:
big smoke sample.mp3 - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage
 
NYMorningstar said:
I know it's a little off topic but how do you deal with the hum with the C2's?
Click to expand...

I have not experienced any hum problems with C2s.

I bought a pair to be contrary after a friend of mine bought a pair and said he didn't like them.

They sat around doing nothing for a while . . . virtually forgotten . . .

. . . until I had to record upright bass in a live recording. I was just not getting a sound I liked no matter what I tried. In desperation, I threw a C2 on it . . . the result was immediate, impressive, and gratifying. Since then I've used them a lot, mostly in live mixing or live recording.

Here is a short sample of a track that had C2s on upright bass and on the sax:sif-demo.mp3 - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage
 
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