Trumpet noise while recording

Posted on Jun 08, 2008 04:44 pm
Drewseph
Member Since: Dec 09, 2006

Hi! anyone know how to avoid the airy noise going into a mic when recording trumpet. I have a guy standing about 4-5 feet away from an mxl 990, a pop filter (a piece of pantyhose stretched around a hanger), then the mic is plugged into an Art Tube MP mic preamp, and then going into the mic input on my toneport. At every blow of the trumpet there is an airy noise the mic pics up that increases with any gain increase on the mic. I've been playing around with volume settings on the mic preamp, toneport, and compressor in gearbox (software for the toneport), but I can't completely eliminate it/avoid it. Anyone know how? I know I'm using some cheap equipment but any suggestions are appreciated. thanks

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zekthedeadcow
Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member
Since: May 11, 2002

Jun 08, 2008 05:01 pm

my understanding is that is caused by improper embouchure or not blowing fast enough.... but I'm a drummer...

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jun 08, 2008 10:45 pm

Yep, that is mostly on the trumpet player. I have close micced many players and only had a couple that had that kind of problem. Getting them to practice a little better technique helped out a lot.

But one thing you can try is to not have the mic directly aimed at the bell of the trumpet. I have occasionally set the mic a bit above the bell aimed slightly over the bell of the trumpet for a less airy sound.

coolo
Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003

Jun 09, 2008 01:28 pm

Yeah, I've never recorded a horn player before, but I would suggest similar to Noize, to not have the mic directly in front of the trumpet. You could try above or below, like Noize said. I was going to chime in with maybe try slightly off to the side, or even placed at a 90% angle and to the side of the trumpet...

J-bot
Byte-Mixer
Member
Since: Dec 04, 2007

Jun 09, 2008 04:46 pm

Now this is one area I have read up on a bit. And I've played trumpet for about 9 years (thoubh I haven't played regularly in the last 3 years or so)

What I understand, is if the mic is pointed at the bell or centered on the bell, you're going to pick up the air/wind blast coming from the player. Embouchure aside, the wind coming from the bell is what's producing the noise. The best thing is to A) not have the mic centered on the bell, and B) not have it pointed straight at the bell.

Edit: Might also try experimenting with the distance from the mic and the mic angle as well.

Noize2u has the right of it. So what you're going to need to do if I remember right, is angle the mic, or maybe even try pointing it perpendicular to the bell. This should help to avoid the air blast.

Play around with it a bit, and see what gets you the best result.

-J