Budget mic for recording trumpet?

[amigomatt]

I have just purchased a DAV BG-1 preamp on ebay, should arrive sometime next week. I am in the process of upgrading my set-up to be able to record my trumpet as vividly and beautifully as possible, within a small budget.

As it stands, I only own an SM58 and a Behringer B-1 and have been running both through a crappy little Behringer mixer. As you can imagine, I've yet to be happy with the sound of my trumpet through this set-up, no matter where I place the mic.

I have preferred the SM58 on every occasion though, with the Behringer giving me a distincly nasal tone.

Obviously, the DAV will open up the sound of both of these mics, but should will I be able to get a satisfying sound just by the addition of the DAV alone, or should I be looking at a mic upgrade? If so, I'm just wondering where to start looking.

Through reading, I like the idea of a ribbon mic, and kmraudio offers a deal with the DAV and a Shinybox 46MX. The Shinybox mics seem to have gotten great feedback on here and elsewhere too.

I don't really want to shell out more than £150-200 at this stage, so do any of you experts have any advice?

I would like to be able to record my trumpet capturing it's boldness and depth, rather than the thin reediness that I've had to endure up until now, as I intend the trumpet line to take a lead role in my music, which will be primarily midi based with trumpet (and possibly a few other acoustic instruments) layered on top.

Many thanks in advance for your advice!

[rty5150]

a ribbon is my recommendation here!
cascade makes some killer ones as well as shinybox. really don't feel that either will disappoint, especially with the DAV!

[Speeddemon]

If you want more body captured than the SM58 does, try a Sennheiser e609! I've recorded a jazz combo once, and tried an SM57 and a 609 on trumpet and used a Sennheiser e604 (the typical tom-clip mic) on saxophone. Sounded very nice; full, yet defined.
Or maybe a Sennheiser MD421. Does everything the SM57 does, but better.

[dysenterygary]

a ribbon is probably your best bet, but I'll also throw in the sm7 b.

[David C.]

I think your 58 could capture your trumpet beautifully but placement is the key. Try getting really close to the bell but don't blow into the mic, blow across it. Don't know if I'm making sense, but point your mic to the west wall and play your trumpet to the south wall within an inch of your 58 to get some proximity effect. This should take care of the thin complaint.

Another thing, get in some cans and crank them so you can hear what's going on in the room. Get close to the 58 and I promise it won't be thin.

[frazzman]

Not exactly budget, but not insanely expensive... MD421

[Milliken]

Beyer M160 used $400. A top pick at any pro studio for trumpet.

Maybe a cascade fathead if your on a budget.....never used one.

Good old dynamic mic d'jour.....sm57, audix i5, e609 etc.

I think you already have found that cheap chinese condensers are gonna sound harsh. Condensers get better above like $500 or so.

I think you already know that your sm58 really isn't that bad for the task. It has good dynamic response, presence, and clarity.

Your room will be the most important part of your problem to look at.....also the hardest to overcome in most cases.

[amigomatt]

Originally Posted by David C.

I think your 58 could capture your trumpet beautifully but placement is the key. Try getting really close to the bell but don't blow into the mic, blow across it. Don't know if I'm making sense, but point your mic to the west wall and play your trumpet to the south wall within an inch of your 58 to get some proximity effect. This should take care of the thin complaint.

Another thing, get in some cans and crank them so you can hear what's going on in the room. Get close to the 58 and I promise it won't be thin.

Thanks for the tip David C., I can't wait to try it out later this week.. Hopefully, I won't have to upgrade if the DAV can work it's magic on what I already have!

[chrisfromthelc]

My first choice would be a SM57 (just a knee-jerk default choice), but I'd be interested to hear it through the SM7b. It'd probably sound pretty fat (well, as fat as a trumpet can sound!).

[drBill]

I've used a HUGE amount of mics trying to capture tpt the way I hear it "in my head". My opinion :

Apex 205 ($99) modded by Michael Joly ($250-ish?? Can't remember)

Trumpet players who come in are astounded. After using all kinds of super high end solutions, we end up back with this mic. And the players are happy. Really happy.

The only other solution I'd reach for is a vintage RCA or maybe an AEA ribbon. (Haven't tried one yet, but I think the R84 would be good for this application, but again 3X's the price.)

Good luck. Wish I had clips to post, but I can't right now....

[muziekschuur]

You propably would be satisfied with a SM57 up close and a room mike trough another great pre. Blend to taste.

For room mikes a nice pair of DPA4006's or (cheaper) 4090's.

[dkelley]

best easy to find, cheap great sounding mic for this: (EDIT: PS, you can buy these at some average music stores, don't have to go searching ebay or craigslist and waiting for shipping or buying used).

apex 205 ribbon mic (or any of the rebranded versions that look mostly the same).

$100-$120 or so for sonic bliss on trumpet.

[Karloff70]

Second hand Beyer ribbon. M160 or M260N(grey one).

[area51recording]

I've been using the Fathead lately on trumpet (sax as well) with good results

[MrCrowbar]

In a small, badly treated (just foam) room, the SM58 works great as long as the player doesn't move around too much and you unscrew the grille basket.

[amigomatt]

Originally Posted by MrCrowbar

In a small, badly treated (just foam) room, the SM58 works great as long as the player doesn't move around too much and you unscrew the grille basket.

Thanks for the tip MrCrowbar. I heard that turns it into an SM57? Is that fact?

[trubac]

Beyer m260, old ones ...
please, not the 57/58.

[dkelley]

Originally Posted by trubac

Beyer m260, old ones ...
please, not the 57/58.

+1 m260
+1 on NO 57/58 for trumpet. ;-) sorry to the person who originally suggested it. I guess it could work, but it would be tough for the player to aim consistently with a 58 in particular.

58 without cover is similar to 57 but not quite the same in use... directivity is different, at least always seemed that way to me when I used to try it compared to the real thing.

the ribbon mics (m260, apex 205) will blow your mind by comparison.

[chris carter]

As a trumpet player, I can say that an SM57 or SM58 both suck on trumpet, big time.

Go with a ribbon.

[payne104]

sounds like you might need to invest in a good A/D converter first

[MrCrowbar]

Originally Posted by amigomatt

Thanks for the tip MrCrowbar. I heard that turns it into an SM57? Is that fact?

Almost. The 58 and 57 have some plasticky things behind the capsules that are shaped a bit differently that makes different frequencies resonate. And the 57's Mesh grille definitely adds its own sound. They do sound pretty much the same though as long as you're not closer as 5 inches from the source (different proximity effect).

[doylemusic]

Cascade Fathead sounds great to me. Sennheiser 421 is good as well. Depends on what you are looking for.

SM57 is good if it's a section part (horn section) and you want it to cut a bit more. For solo/lyrical stuff it wouldn't be my go to.

Alot of the decision depends on players tone and what you are tracking.

P.S. I play trumpet.

[Koho]

I would agree with the MD421 as well. I used one while recording a trumpet last week, and all it needed was a little high shelf boost. You can hear that track (Anne Marie) at myspace.com/kevinhume. The trumpet comes in around 1:10.

[amigomatt]

Thanks to everyone who has given me their great advice for free!

I'm starting to veer towards trying a ribbon mic. I was considering the Apex 205, then I noticed Thomann.de has a range of cheap ribbon mics with really good reps. Decisions, decisions! Does anybody have any experience of the following mics and how they compare with the Apex? I'm tempted to order from Thomann in Europe to avoid the customs charges with ordering the Apex from the States (it's not available in England).

THE T.BONE RB100 - U.K. International Cyberstore
THE T.BONE RB500 - U.K. International Cyberstore
THE T.BONE RM700 - U.K. International Cyberstore
SUPERLUX R102 - U.K. International Cyberstore