Recording Trombone and Need Help!

[cjlb78]

I'm using a Beta 57A and Focusrite 2i2 recording into Reaper. I have the gain as low as possible on my DAW but it's still too high. Is moving the instrument further back the only solution?

 

[spantini]

Using that same mic you could move your horn off-axis to one side, trying different angles to get the levels you need. I would start with 90 degrees then adjust the angle from there.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

I suspect the line input (TRS of the combo connector) will be padded down substantially*. You could try a XLR-F to TRS adapter. Alternatively, you could buy an inline pad.

Hosa HXS-003 Pro Balanced Interconnect - REAN XLR Female to 1/4-inch TRS Male - 3 foot

XLR3F-1/4" TRS Balanced Interconnect Cable with REAN Connectors - 3'

www.sweetwater.com

Shure A15AS Switchable In-line Attenuator

In-line Attenuator, XLRF-XLRM, with 3-position Selector for 15, 20, or 25dB of Attenuation

www.sweetwater.com

[Edit] *Looks like the TRS is about 13 dB less sensitive.

[Edit 2] This spec sheet is for the third generation model. The first generation sheet specifies the minimum and maximum gain, from which you can calculate a 50 dB range. The third generation sheet shows the range but not the actual amount of gain, though it does specify maximum input levels. Still, in both cases you can deduce a 13 dB difference in gain between mic and line.

 

[cjlb78]

I suspect the line input (TRS of the combo connector) will be padded down substantially*. You could try a XLR-F to TRS adapter. Alternatively, you could buy an inline pad.

Hosa HXS-003 Pro Balanced Interconnect - REAN XLR Female to 1/4-inch TRS Male - 3 foot

XLR3F-1/4" TRS Balanced Interconnect Cable with REAN Connectors - 3'

www.sweetwater.com

Shure A15AS Switchable In-line Attenuator

In-line Attenuator, XLRF-XLRM, with 3-position Selector for 15, 20, or 25dB of Attenuation

www.sweetwater.com

[Edit] *Looks like the TRS is about 13 dB less sensitive.

View attachment 121523

 

[jamesperrett]

I'm using a Beta 57A and Focusrite 2i2 recording into Reaper. I have the gain as low as possible on my DAW but it's still too high. Is moving the instrument further back the only solution?

If this is a first generation 2i2 then this is a well known problem. For some reason Focusrite regularly bring out preamps that can't handle the sort of levels you'd expect to encounter in a normal recording environment. They fix it with the next model, only to break it a few models later. My Saffire Pro26io has the same issue - as do some of the Octopres from that era. I'm surprised that a company which is supposedly known for the quality of their preamps can make such a basic design error.

As Boulder Sound Guy suggests, an inline attenuator is an essential piece of kit for anyone using one of these preamps.

 

[rob aylestone]

With brass and dynamics close in the SPL can be so great that going into the input for the guitar is really worth trying, if you have an XLR to ¼" Done it plenty of times with 57's. Trumpets can be the worst offenders. Ear damaging close in. 57's seem to be able to cope, and condensers rarely can.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

It's possible that using an XLRF-TS (rather than to TRS) cable would knock off another 3 dB. It "probably" won't cause it to hum.