Are you recording them one at a time or as a section? The E609 is a decent brass mic (the 409 was better, but the 609 isn't bad). You unfortunately don't have much else that I would reach for first... I'm big on ribbon mics on brass as the top end is usually much smoother. A 57 will work, but it will be pretty crunchy sounding. I haven't used the i5, but I have used other Audix mics and in general, I prefer them to the ol' 57.

With Ska, you can get away with a bit crunchier sound, but you still want a fullness- especially in the mid range. Most condensers won't give that to you. Dynamics might and ribbons definitely will.

As for positioning- go about 2-3 feet off the end of the bell, slightly off axis for music like this. For acoustic music, I'd recommend other positioning, but for this kind of gig, I think this should work well. Just don't let the player stuff the mic down the bell as that will sound positively dreadful. You need a bit of space for the sound to develop.

--Ben

What horns are being recorded?

I assume it's a couple of saxes, a bone and a trumpet. At least that was what the last ska band I produced had.

I thought Ska was dead.?

I tried my best to kill it a few years ago.

Chris