Roy Hargrove's Trumpet Sound

[JazzyMark]

Hello Russ-
I really enjoy all your work with D'angelo, Erykah Badu and Roy Hargrove et al. I'd like to hear about your approach (or approaches) to Roy Hargrove's trumpet on the various records he's played on. For instance, on D'angelo's "Voodoo" the trumpet sound is particularly warm and diffuse, while on the R.H. Factor's "Hard Groove" his sound is much more forward and focused. I understand that on Voodoo he's much more of a sideman, how does this affect your tracking/mixing technique? From the quality of the high end I assume you were using ribbon mics. I often find it difficult to fit open trumpet sounds into dense layers of arrangement and wanted to hear your perspective on this. Thank you very much for your time.

Mark Noguchi
Burning Arc Music

[Russell Elevado]

hello mark,

For Roy on voodoo i used an rca 44bx, 77dx, u67 and u47 (not all at the same time...). I went through a neve and an la2a to tape, using medium compression. And i dont think i did too much to him eq and compression wise in the mix. Except when i was really going for an effect.

The secret to Roy's sound is him. That's really all his tone, nice and warm. I just try to get a nice blend on his harmonies and the rest is all Roy!

I definitely approached Roy's horn sounds on the RH Factor albums differently than other albums he's on. I didn't do anything different recording him. But i was definitely more aggressive in the processing when i started mixing it. you are correct in that on voodoo he was a sideman rather than the band leader. As well, he was palying more aggressive.

Sometimes trumpets can get shrill and overpowering even with roy. I like to filter out anywhere from 7k and up, if needed. and using a good compressor will tame it up as well. You can get away with quite a bit of limiting with trumpets and still sound natural. i love la2a's and 1176's on trumpets (actually, i love them on a lot of things!). But sometimes it's a matter of where you sit in the mix.

I'm going to start a thread about my mixing concepts very soon, so i'll expand more on things...

cheers and thanks

[JazzyMark]

Thanks for your reply, as always source is king. I've heard Roy play a few times and you really captured how I remember him sounding (I haven't heard him harmonize himself live, of course ). Do you generally mic him with close mics and room mics and blend them during mixing?

mark noguchi

[Russell Elevado]

Originally Posted by JazzyMark

Thanks for your reply, as always source is king. I've heard Roy play a few times and you really captured how I remember him sounding (I haven't heard him harmonize himself live, of course ). Do you generally mic him with close mics and room mics and blend them during mixing? mark noguchi

hi mark,
indeed, "source is king"! and he is an amazing performer. i can't say enough about roy's genius! i've only close mic'd him...

cheers

[OBO]

So rare to talk trumpet miking!

What is the distance between the trumpet and the mike?

Olivier Bolling

[Russell Elevado]

Originally Posted by OBO

So rare to talk trumpet miking!
What is the distance between the trumpet and the mike?
Olivier Bolling

hey olivier,

nice to get a question from you!
trumbet is a little tricky, huh? usually with a tube mic, i'll and place the trumpet 12" (30.5cm) away for the mic and the player will naturally come closer another 2 or 3 inches. but with the old ribbons, they all have a different "sweet spot" so move it around until you find it. and usuually i'll get a little closer like 7" (18cm). you'll be suprised with any instrument how much a slight tilt or move will do to the sound...

ps: i'm looking forward to the dynax2 and the new mic pre's!

voyez-vous bientôt