soca + trumpets + mic techniques

Paul David · 22nd March 2005

I'm working on some soca right now (think reggae on crack), and I'm about to record trumpet for the first time. I'm going for a bright, natural tone with a lot of definition. I tracked the parts with a keyboardist using the motif rack es and I was hoping to do the string trick and just double the top line and have a horn section but to be honest KB horns are so cheesy to me that I might have to build a mini section with this cat and a sax player and loose the motif stuff.

I'm going for a mini T.O.P. sort of sound. Something that adds sizzle to the track.

My tracking room (some would also call this a "living room") is about 30 x 14 and is fairly bright. I can use non rigid sound paneling (some would call this "moving blankets") to get anything from short and dark to big and bright in this room so what would be your choice for building a makeshift section?

Here are the mics I would consider from my mic locker (okay it's a closet if you want to be a jerk about it)

Phantom C
Lawson 47
STO-2
mk012
421

I was going to try and get some ribbons for this but I ran out of time, so I gotta roll with these. I can also use some of my friends mics if I need too. He's got dragonfly SE's, Joesephson c42's and some other cool ones.

So who's got some brass game out there? I'm looking for any tips on mic positioning and selection.

Thanks in advance, Paul

Dave Martin · 22nd March 2005

Given your choices, I'd probably try the 421 first and the Lawson second. And don't try to stick the mic right into the bell of the trumpet - get it a few feet away.

I personally would have the sax and trumpet play together, and then double (or make another pass if the horn parts have more than two notes). The idea is that you will get a bit of bleed between the two instruments, but that can add a nice ambience.

Typically when I do this sort of thing (though typically on R&B rather than socas), I'll use a Lawson on the sax and an RCA 77 on trumpet (with an RE20 on trombone, if there's one on the session).

Paul David · 23rd March 2005

Thanks for the reply Dave. I might see if I can get these cats over on the same day.

Peace, Paul

Paul David · 10th April 2005

I did a rough mix of this tune today and I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the help... It sounds great!

FWIW, I wound up with The L47 at about 2 feet surrounded by 5 moving blankets, into the MP-2NV. I got fortunate and the session cat I used turned out to be a great musician. We did a bunch of passes and I was able to put together a very convincing section.

Peace, Paul

Dave Martin · 10th April 2005

Cool!

22nd March 2005	#1
Paul David Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 641 Thread Starter	soca + trumpets + mic techniques I'm working on some soca right now (think reggae on crack), and I'm about to record trumpet for the first time. I'm going for a bright, natural tone with a lot of definition. I tracked the parts with a keyboardist using the motif rack es and I was hoping to do the string trick and just double the top line and have a horn section but to be honest KB horns are so cheesy to me that I might have to build a mini section with this cat and a sax player and loose the motif stuff. I'm going for a mini T.O.P. sort of sound. Something that adds sizzle to the track. My tracking room (some would also call this a "living room") is about 30 x 14 and is fairly bright. I can use non rigid sound paneling (some would call this "moving blankets") to get anything from short and dark to big and bright in this room so what would be your choice for building a makeshift section? Here are the mics I would consider from my mic locker (okay it's a closet if you want to be a jerk about it) Phantom C Lawson 47 STO-2 mk012 421 I was going to try and get some ribbons for this but I ran out of time, so I gotta roll with these. I can also use some of my friends mics if I need too. He's got dragonfly SE's, Joesephson c42's and some other cool ones. So who's got some brass game out there? I'm looking for any tips on mic positioning and selection. Thanks in advance, Paul __________________ http://pauldavid.us

22nd March 2005	#2
Dave Martin Moderator emeritus Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 3,152	Given your choices, I'd probably try the 421 first and the Lawson second. And don't try to stick the mic right into the bell of the trumpet - get it a few feet away. I personally would have the sax and trumpet play together, and then double (or make another pass if the horn parts have more than two notes). The idea is that you will get a bit of bleed between the two instruments, but that can add a nice ambience. Typically when I do this sort of thing (though typically on R&B rather than socas), I'll use a Lawson on the sax and an RCA 77 on trumpet (with an RE20 on trombone, if there's one on the session). __________________ Dave Martin Java Jive Studio www.javajivestudio.com Nashville, TN

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23rd March 2005	#3
Paul David Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 641 Thread Starter	Thanks for the reply Dave. I might see if I can get these cats over on the same day. Peace, Paul

10th April 2005	#4
Paul David Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 641 Thread Starter	I did a rough mix of this tune today and I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the help... It sounds great! FWIW, I wound up with The L47 at about 2 feet surrounded by 5 moving blankets, into the MP-2NV. I got fortunate and the session cat I used turned out to be a great musician. We did a bunch of passes and I was able to put together a very convincing section. Peace, Paul