recording jazz

[Han]

That is a fact. Getting the ride cymbal out of the bass mic is a challenge. Choice of ride cymbal & sticks makes a big difference. The best mic I've used so far for getting a good bass sound with enough rejection is the Beyer M88. The bass and ride cymbal have to sit well together or the whole mix will be a struggle, IMO.

Leddy, as you know I've done some experimenting with upright: http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?p=1823977#post1823977

You gave me kudos, thanks for that. I've been using the SP B1 in the upright's bridge and that does work quite well.

In recording jazz the main problem is the upright bass, it's a big instrument that should be recorded from some distance in order to record the whole instrument. So you might put it in the vocal booth, but the band doesn't like that nor does the bassplayer. So you decide to put them all together in one room. And indeed the Beyer M88 is a nice mic for the job, but it's a front adressed microfone that points up when put with some foam into the bridge.

So the best you can do is putting a side adressed mic into the bridge and when you're on a budget, the SP B1 is near perfect, use a high pass filter to avoid boomyness because the proximity will be huge, but the little amount of bleed will make your day. Point the mic a little to the F-hole on the G string side.

The other problem with jazz is the trumpet, a ribbon can do wonderful things here, but a Sennheiser MD441 will make you very happy as well.

A MD421 on T-bone will do the job quite good and a neutral LDC will do quite well on reeds.

I hope this will help you.

Peace, Han

 

[leddy]

And indeed the Beyer M88 is a nice mic for the job, but it's a front adressed microfone that points up when put with some foam into the bridge.

True. It has to go on a stand and point at the bass. I find it less sensitive than condenser mics and therefore less prone to picking up as much bleed from the drums, etc.

If you have total isolation, an omni mic wrapped in foam in the tail piece (or bridge, which I prefer) will work well. I have an Earthworks TC20 that works well for that. I was hoping to be able to use it for live recording, but it picks up everything. I either need to sell it or get another and have a pair of omni overheads.

 

[bigtoe]

"And indeed the Beyer M88 is a nice mic for the job, but it's a front adressed microfone that points up when put with some foam into the bridge."


this actually worked quite well for me with a 451 ck1 (cardioid). pointing up but still got a very useable sound. it may depend on the mic how well it works. i wish i had a good bidirectional (side address) for this though.

i've got a rockabilly thing this weekend...upright and crackin' drums in the same room!

Peace

Mike

 

[Han]

The M88 is a hyper cardioid with it's proximity of course, but it has a very nice off axis response. Most Beyer mics have a nice OAR, the M201, the M160/260. I don't know why but I guess it's a Beyer secret, making hypers with very nice OAR.