You would be hard pressed to improve on the sound your are already getting by replacing the mic.

The Shure '57 or '58 as you have is an *excellent* choice for recording the Trumpet.

Problems arise when Internet newcomers to the art and science of recording begin to pontificate about stuff like this. Most start recommending large diaphragm condenser mics and phantom power, etc. etc.

But the Trumpet has such a high dynamic range ability that it is exceptionally easy for we TruMpet players to overdrive such a microphone as the large diaphragm condenser, plus they are typically too sensitive and pick up more of the room, sometning that is typically not that desirable in home recording environments.

Hell, I can *destroy* a large diaphragm with my horn if I have a mind to do so, and likely so can you from the sound of your embouchure, etc. And don't even *think* of what either of us could do to a Ribbon Mic... - There'd be little pieces of tinfoil confetti floatin' around the studio when we got done *grin*. A Trumpet in the right hands can generate up to 7 Watts of RMS Audio Power at the bell. Stupid kids have actually managed to permanently damage other kids hearing with trumpets in school bands, never a funny trick to blow a trumpet or trombone into someone else's ear. Or into their expensive and sensitive ribbon or condenser mic, either. We play the instrument of the battlefield, man.

The Cardioid Dynamic Mic is still my mic of choice for Trumpet (and Trombone) sections.

I have quite often specified those Shure mics for pro recording sessions of both sections and soloists.

In my opinion, the only step up from your Shure that would really mean something also has that pesky "Law of Diminishing Returns" riding along with it, meaning that the amount of money spent that is over and above the cost of the Shure is far more than the amount of improvement gained in sound quality.

And if you must know, that mic is still Cardioid Electrodynamic design, same as your Shure, it is the infamous Electro Voice RE-20. Great trumpet mic when used in a great acoustic environment with an even greater mic preamp.

But you really don't NEED to spend that kind of money on a new mic for your intended purpose, what you've presented here sounds very good indeed to this old recording engineer and trumpet player's ears, man.

"If it works, don't FIX it."

One thing I've learned to do over the years is to *NEVER* discuss the technical aspects of my recordings when presenting them. I just put 'em out there and sit back and watch the listeners. And remain mum.

That is because I have found out empirically that if I go ahead and volunteer any technical info at all, it invites the kind of situation which prompted your question.

So I never maention anything at all before or after the presentation of the recording.

If asked a specific wuestion such as "what mic did you use for the ________?" -- I have learned to respond with a question: "Well, what Mic do you *think* I used?"

As Duke Ellington once pointed out, "If it sounds good, it IS good!"

And your recordeing sounds GOOD, man.


--MAC

PGmusic FAQs, Tutorials and Updates! click here

You must be Audiominds.
www.audiominds.com