Dave-the-Pub-muso
Hi all, I've recently joined a swing/dixie/jazz band as guitarist. My other responsibility will be doing the sound. Our first gig is on the 30th April and I need to buy some mics for micing brass instruments: Tuba, Sax, Trumpet and Tenor Horn. I'm torn about what to buy. The head says condensor mics, but the heart reckons they'll be destroyed quickly. Is it possible to get a good sound out of dynamic mics for these instruments? I am also unable to afford the likes of the SM-57s so any suggestions for cheapish instrument mics?
All advice greatly appreciated.
Dave
AlanRatcliffe
Yeah... dont! ? Chances are, the brass will be loud enough until you get to playing bigger outdoor concerts.
If needed for solos, set up one decent mic and let the players do it old school - moving up for solos and backing off as needed - they'll likely be used to doing that anyway. Then I'd usually use an SM58 live, because they mellow the top end a little which I like for brass (or a Sennheiser e604 for individual mics if they're moving around a lot), but if you're on a tight budget, maybe a Shure PG58 or other cheap but decent vocal mic.
Dave-the-Pub-muso
Thanks for the advice Alan - we've had a dry run and have settled on a "solo" mic as you suggested as well as one mic for the Tuba (to get bassline) and one for the kick drum! Thankfully, I have enough mics to handle that, so I won't have to purchase any more.
Cheers,
dave
AlanRatcliffe
Cool! What mic did you end up using?
Dave-the-Pub-muso
I used PG58s for the Tuba, Bass drum and solo mic and a SM58 for the vocal. The PG worked well for the solo mic, but not great for the Kick drum or tuba - the frequency ranges weren't ideal. That said, it was certainly not bad...
Dave
