Brass section. Help

[protein]

Pretty much all of the acts I've recorded have been rock/indie and dance so I haven't done a brass section before. I've got an 8 piece funk band coming in complete with Tenor Sax, Alto Sax and Trumpet.

Would you recommend putting something like an SM57 up close on each or a pair of LD condensers a little further out or a combo? Obviously I'll experiment a little but I need to know which is the best/standard way to start off with. I don't really want to have loads of brass tracks for the section so I'll probably comp the section to a stereo track.

Also, if one of them or all of them are going to do a solo, how would you suggest I handle that? Separate takes for the solos?

My mic choice isn't very extensive I'm afraid, I've got an SM57, an SM58, a D12, 2 x SP B1s, a PVM 480 and some cheapo dynamics.

Cheers chaps (and chappesses)

[bennychico11]

well...first off, don't call that a brass section People say that all the time, but the saxophone is NOT a brass instrument, it's a woodwind (same family as clarinet, flute, etc.)

second, you only have one 57 right? if so, they i'd put that in front of the trumpet to see if you like the sound first. if it's a typical, powerful funk song...likely the trumpet will need a mic that handles some high SPL levels well. then i'd say put the condensers on the saxes. large diaphram on the tenor and the PVM480 on the alto. start with that I'd say. If you are going to track to a stereo track right at the beginning....then put the saxes together on one and the trumpet on a different mic.
but you could also just capture the section as a whole using a stereo combination. However, I'd recommend only doing this if the Funk group has been together for awhile and aren't just a bunch of high school kids or guitarists that THINK they're horn players. Just because if you do a stereo combination the section really needs to know how to balance themselves well and not just try and play as loud as they can.

placement...should be simple enough, point them at the bell of the instruments.
as far as solos....i'd say find out what type of solo is it. If it's a typical 4 or 8 bar solo, a solo that is NOT improvised, or one that they easily play without needing a separate take...then record as they go. otherwise, make another track and let 'em wail. it might be easier on the rest of the section as well, so they're not waiting forever for him to get it right.

okay...that's my suggestion. let us know how it goes

[Brett]

I've recorded a three peice section before (sax, trumbone, trumpet) on a funk song.

As a solo instument you could use condensors, but dynamics can just do fine, especially if you want a more strong sound. I used a Senheisser MD421 on all three.

See that your trumpet and trumbone player doesn't blow directely in the mic, it will surely overload it and get a nasty sound.

I also give them a bit of a bigger body with a small boost in the lower mid area, and try to filter that nasal crispy sound with a very high Q.

[protein]

Yup. Cheers.

It's not for a month or so. I'll let you know what happens.

[Saccs]

I recently recorded some horns...I agree with everyone...also add a room mic.