Does anyone have any tips on micing a trumpet?
I recently tried recording trumpet for the first time. I tried a number of different ways and got OK results, but I'd like to know how other folks do it.
Incidentally, when looking at the waveform of recorded trumpet in my DAW, about 2/3 of the material was above zero. (Another way to put it: the center line of the waves was at a much higher than usual amplitude.) The only other time I've seen this phenomenon was once when I imported digital audio from a cheap hand-held recorder.
What accounts for this? I can safely say it's not my mics or ADs because they work fine on other source material. It must be down to mic placement or simply the nature of the instrument. I'm guessing it's the sound pressure coming out of the trumpet keeping the mic diaphragm pushed more to one side, and not letting the diaphragm bounce back as easily as it usually does.
As I said, it sounds OK, so I'm not too worried, but I was nevertheless wondering if others have experienced this, whether it's normal, or what.
There are many options, and indeed a trumpet will produce high SPLs, which probably accounts for the phenomenon you experienced. Alan favors using a ribbon mic positioned 18-24" away - you don't want to get too close with a ribbon mic and high sound pressure levels, obviously.
As with all brass instruments, it can be a good idea to give the sound some space. A lot of people do use clip-ons, especially for live performance, but then some of the natural sound will be heard acoustically and/or picked up by other mics. In a studio setting, a clip-on could be 'too' close for comfort.
From an ensemble perspective (big band) I've used the AT3035 for the trumpet section located about a metre away from the section. Use a windshield or pop screen and place a target, either above or below the mic for the trumpeters to point the bell at, rather than directly at the microphone.
The effect you see is not uncommon for brass sections and a simple 'remove DC offset' on the track will ensure that it's not biased in any one direction.
- Geoff
It must be down to mic placement or simply the nature of the instrument. I'm guessing it's the sound pressure coming out of the trumpet keeping the mic diaphragm pushed more to one side, and not letting the diaphragm bounce back as easily as it usually does.
Audio Technic says that the AT3035 is a discontinued mike though, sigh. I saw the manufacturer comment that it "Handles extremely high SPL with ease. Do you or anybody have a second favorite cardioid? BTW Giving them a target sounds like a great idea for consistency.
And a followup question - I know a trumpeter or two that collect different trumpets like McBride collects microphones. Other than having pro-features (allowing them to adjust intonation on the first or third value while playing for example) is there a favorite that is easier to work with, esp in the smaller studios most of us have access to? Probably just as hard as a favorite microphone question but I'd be very interested the answers.
Greg