Help spend my money!

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:36 pm

Well not much money , hah.

This is my first post here. I am a classical trumpet player that needs to record practice sessions, rehearsals, and recitals.

I already own a Zoom H4 that I use for practice and the internal mics do the job pretty well for practicing. But I want something that will sound a little better for demo CDs and recording a recital (usually just trumpet and piano on stage.) So I would like stereo for the recitals, even though mono would work for just trumpet.

I have read that the preamp in the h4 is pretty noisy. So I need to get a preamp and some mics.

My budget is around $500 (yeah, yeah I know its not much)

Any suggestions?

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:17 pm

Maybe a Presonus Firepod + AT2020 - On eBay that's $400. Then you could get an ever-useful SM57. That's 100 bucks there. Of course cords for the microphones are a little more money. But other than that do you have software to record with?

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:15 pm

Thanks for the reply.

Do I really need the Firepod since I already have the Zoom H4? Wouldnt I need just a basic preamp? I don't really need 8 inputs.

I know these could be horrible, but something more like this? http://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTTMPPS

A pair of those and then spend like $400 on mics. Thoughts???

The Zoom preamp doesn't have a smooth frequency response, and thats all I really want out of a preamp. I can do the EQ in sound forge, but want a smooth natural sound going in first.

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:45 pm

Sarnz recommendation is good. It would allow you to place more mics. If you just want stereo recording you could look at the Presonus firebox or inspire. for mics look at a matched stereo pair. Samson C02 not bad

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:26 am

trumpetman wrote:

Well not much money , hah.

This is my first post here. I am a classical trumpet player that needs to record practice sessions, rehearsals, and recitals.

I already own a Zoom H4 that I use for practice and the internal mics do the job pretty well for practicing. But I want something that will sound a little better for demo CDs and recording a recital (usually just trumpet and piano on stage.) So I would like stereo for the recitals, even though mono would work for just trumpet.

I have read that the preamp in the h4 is pretty noisy. So I need to get a preamp and some mics.

My budget is around $500 (yeah, yeah I know its not much)

Any suggestions?

From what I read on the net, the zoom H4 should be all you need, but if
you want more stereo it says on the manule to use the two xlr connections on the botttom.
so I would spend your money on two mics, stands and 20 foot cables.

here is what I would get in your shoes
this kit is cheeper then buying individal mics
http://www.apexelectronics.com/index.php?tmp=4&id=81&pic=3

It Looks like the kit is missing the APP2 48V Phantom Power Supply
for the 415 mic. the big black box is the power sup. for the 460 mic
get this one

http://www.apexelectronics.com/index.php?tmp=4&id=46

you will need some quality cables. use this brand
http://www.planetwaves.com/

get the custom gold plated/only 3 bucks more
http://www.planetwaves.com/Pcablesdetails.aspx?ID=2
two of Item# PW-M-25: 25 ft. Microphone Cable at your local music store.
BTW, all of this can be brought in to your local music store.

now that Tube condensor mic is heavy, so you need good locks on the mic stands, not plastic cranks

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Good luck and I hope this helps.
Send me an MP3 of your finished product.

Brad
B.W. MAC - RECORDING

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