Dear Motifator,

A family friend wants me to record a CD. I am not charging anything. I have completed an introductory Cubase class successfully in September of this year. My question is what do I need to successfully create an audition trumpet CD. I am not planning to do lot of recording for others but, I believe that this does not have to be difficult.Why set up a studio and never test my knowledge. I figure I might get a chance to review what I learned to some degree.

My equipment possibilities:
2-Audiotechnica Pro-35 clip-on mic
Audiotechnica AT4040
(Shure SM57)

Software/Hardware that I understand and have
Laptop-HP Pavilion with Cubase Elements 6
Presonus Audiobox USB

Other Hardware I have that seems easy to figure out but not sure if this is what I need to use:

Steinberg CI2
Cubase AI5
Pedal for performing hands free

(I have an old-fashioned Superscope that I totally understand)

I know microphone placement in the bell is critical and that a cardioid condenser mic would work.

With so little time to prepare what should I consider using if I had equipment from above for a recording set up for a Plan A to make CD 1 and then a different recording set up for Plan B to make CD 2 for comparison.

I can not afford to buy anything else.What set up do you suggest with the equipment I have?I want to keep things as simple as possible without sacrificing quality.

Thanks,
Kmart

Not sure what an “audition trumpet CD” really means. Does it mean a solo trumpet? Is it based on playing along with music, etc.

Take you time with the client getting the mic and microphone positioning thing together. You may think aiming the mic in the bell of the horn is a good idea, but you may find that it does not necessarily give you the sound, perhaps that the client is looking for. Include them on this portion of your decision making (it will save you time and grief later).

Isolation is always a problem when not recording in a Recording Studio (one that has been specifically built to minimize the outside world). It is amazing how much noise the outside world makes - it goes by unnoticed until you setup a microphone and press RECORD :-)

If it is a solo trumpet, do a couple of test takes with different microphones and vary the mic position (and I mean radically… try everything… Even bouncing the trumpet off of walls - don’t always think you have to point the mic into the bell… is all I’m saying. It depends on the SOUND you (actually, your client) wants.

You want to make it sound like it is in a large hall, don’t just rely on EFFECTS. Experiment.

Once you get your client happy with your tests, your project will proceed smoothly from there.
If you are in the control room and do not include the client until the final mix, you run the risk of them not really buying into the results. Include them and they fell much better about it.

Sound is subjective. What one person thinks is a great trumpet sound, some one else doesn’t like… you can count on that. In a client-studio relationship, as long as the client is happy, you can consider it a Win!