Recording Horns

[gaffer]

Everyone always asking about recording guitars and drums! How about trumpets and saxes? That's what I want to know.
Any expertise out there for recording horns with condensers?

 

[ChuckU]

I recorded the sax on this (Jazz Odyssey) with a Marshall V67 LD condenser.
I used the same mic to record myself on trumpet. Pretty happy with it.

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1400&alid=-1

 

[Dave S.]

There is some here. Search for trumpet or sax. Very little though. I've been frustrated by a lack of this content as well.
Dave S.

 

[Michael Jones]

WOW! Chuck, great job there. I really like that kind of music; right up my alley. You used a V67 on that sax huh? I would have never thought to use that mic in that app. I've used a Shure SM81 on sax before with really good results.

Anyway, good job!

 

[lilcapn]

horns

i've read that a 421 is supposedly great for tenor sax (and i've seen it used live); i know that ribbons are recommended for horns as well, like the Beyer m160 sounds great on a trumpet.

 

[Beezoboy]

I agree Mr Jones...great sound on the sax and very nice playing as well. I like the piano sound and drums too. The bass is nothing special, but tasteful nonetheless. I realize this is just a jam, but you should throw some reverb on that to make it not so dry sounding.

Also, I would like to hear just a little bit more of an airy sax sound. Maybe next time just put the mic a little closer?

Gaffer - I think any decent quality dynamic mic will work for sax and trumpet, as long as you place it somewhat carefully. If you have a sm57, it can certainly work well. If you have something better like a Sennhieser 421, 441U or a Shure SM7, then use those. And of course a ribbon would work as well from what hear, but I can't say for sure, because I have never used one.

 

[ChuckU]

Re: horns

i've read that a 421 is supposedly great for tenor sax ...

It didn't occur to me to use the 421 on sax. I have one and I used it to mic the bass amp instead. Thanks for the tip. I didn't mean to take over the thread, but it looks like there are a variety of choices. I felt that the V67, being a condenser, might bring out subtlety better. As it's a vocal mic, I reasoned the sax is the main 'voice' here. But I KNOW the 421 is probably my best all-around (and most expensive) mic. My biggest problem is where and when to use it.

 

[gaffer]

I guess I should have been a little more specific. I get good results recording Tenor, Bari, and alto. Trumpet is a little more difficult. I've had pretty good luck on trumpet with my shure KSM44 and Akg 3025. They also do a great job on sax as well as my Apex 420.

I'm always looking for the perfect mic for trumpet since thats what I play. I have lots of dynamics including SM57. I've never tried a ribbon or AKG 414.
I was hoping someone had the total answer.

ChuckU, good jog on the jazz improv. I've got some things I'd like others to hear, Is that site a good way to do it? (Nowhereradio)

 

[ChuckU]

Gaffer,
Nowhere radio is an excellent resource. It's easy to sign up for and to interface with(download and upload).

I also used that mic (V67) on trumpet recording myself, again as it was my only LD condenser and trumpet was not the song's feature instrument. I was satisfied, but it sounds like you're a bit beyond me in the mic. collection and experience dept. Good luck on your search.

 

[Dave S.]

gaffer,
I've had excellent luck with the Royer R122 ribbon mic. Once again, if you use the search feature here there are some posts on recording trumpet.
Dave S.

 

[Markd102]

Just recorded trumpet and tennor sax two days ago.

Used a LD tube condenser (Mann MT31) on the sax, and a SD condenser (Beyer Opus83) on the trumpet.

Sounded great to me with totally flat eq.

Mark

 

[gaffer]

ChuckU,
I just put one of our songs on Nowhere.com, check it out.
Let me know what you think.

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1986&alid=-1

 

[ChuckU]

Man, that was excellent. Your playing is superb, and the midi patches are quite convincing in context.

You should put a post up in the MP3 Clinic Forum here. Let everybody know you have a song up on Nowhere. People will give you feedback on various aspects of the recording and it will give you an opportunity to share your techniques with the rest of us.

 

[gaffer]

Thanks for the compliment. I've got others but not sure about the legal part as the others songs are not original materal and are copywrited by other people.

Maybe it's OK to list here but not nowhere.com.
What do you think?

Gordon

 

[littledog]

A few tips for recording horns (besides the general consensus that, yes, ribbons are wonderful if you have them):

Saxes should not be mic'ed at the bell, but rather the mic should be parallel to the body of the mic, aimed to pick up the whole instrument. The exception is sometimes I'll use a second mic at the bell of the soprano and blend it in to be able to adjust the reedy/honky amount of the tone. Also, on R&B baritone, where the sax is pounding out bass notes, I may shove a dynamic right into the bell as well.

Trumpets and trombones are mic'ed at the bell, but often off-axis to be out of the direct path of the air-stream.

Don't worry about isolation if you are recording horn sections. Let them bleed!

Flutes should also be mic'ed to get the whole instrument. You may need to adjust the mic position to point a bit away from the mouthpiece to minimize embouchure noise.

 

[gaffer]

Good tips. thanks Little dog.

Here are a few things that I've done.

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1986&alid=-1