Oh my gosh this was SO helpful. I'm gearing up to start recording myself for job applications and I have no idea what I'm doing with audio equipment. I feel like now I know where to start. Thank you!
Great video. My best Horn recordings have been with a single josephson c-603 using the omni capsule. But, in my opinion in the absolute most important factor is the room. More than other instruments the Horn needs space for the sound to develop. Horn is difficult to record because unlike most instruments the bell points behind the player, so a listener never hears direct sound.
Incredibly helpful, thanks! I'm currently using a Zoom Q8 video recorder as my interface because it has a built-in dual/stereo mic array as well as 2 XLR ports. I've got a Sennheiser MD 421 II plugged into one of those ports. I've had both the camera mics and the Sennhesier placed in front of me to record, but I think I might use the Sennheiser as a spot mic behind me and lower now after watching your tutorial.
Thank you ! Loved hearing the differences with the mikes. I currently use a Tascam DR-05x recorder's USB output directly into an ancient McBook Pro running Quicktime Player's Movie recording function. I purchased the Tascam to record rehearsals before pandemic. Never thought I would be using it this way.
Great video and great playing! Thanks for taking the time to create and share this content. I'm about to switch from large-diaphragm condensers (MXL 990 and MXL 2003) to a Golden Age R1 active tube ribbon mic set-up. I have been using a stereo set up with one mic direct (SM57, 58, or MXL 2003) and one condenser mic in the room, going into a Presonus Audiobox. Wish I could afford those DPA 4011s and a triple horn!
Honestly the Zoom mic was my favorite. If you need an unforgiving and honest take on what you actually sound like and ways to make improvements to your overall sound, then that would be my mic of choice. For recording sessions though its hard to beat that Sony and Rode setup imho.
Thank you for the video. For my video I use the H2 zoom recorder connected to my pc, since the zoom already has a built-in sound card, it processes the audio well and so now zoom has become the microphone of my pc. I don't know if you've ever tried.
Thanks! A great comparison video. Something that would also be useful for us to hear the SAME excerpt with the different mics. It is easier to hear differences this way. Is there any mic you suggest for a situation where you have to be close mic'd? Like playing in a pit orchestra or rock band where there is not really an option to put the mic out front?
You make the videos that everybody needs and no one does, great job! Do you only have that triple horn? Or do you own other horns? Anyway, a video about the different modern horns and how they work could be pretty useful! Cheers!
Hello! This is definitely a challenging thing since our music varies so much in dynamics. But if you set your microphone so that your mezzo forte playing at around -12dB, then you should be good to record your full dynamic register without distorting the sound
I do not usually but the microphone behind the bell when I’m recording solo. The French horn is heard as a reflected sound so I think if you’re only using one or two microphones it’s best to leave them in front where an audience might be. Two exceptions however are in a chamber music or orchestral setting you can put a mic behind the bell to help with mixing. It’s not the optimal desired sound, but it can help with clarity. The main sound will still come from whatever microphones you’re using to capture the entire group. And if you are in a large enough space, you could probably get away with putting the microphone behind the bell, but also elevated to get some of the room sound as well as the direct horn sound. TL;DR you don’t really need to put a mic behind the bell unless you’re isolating it in a group
Yes! 100% Untreated rooms reflect and amplify harmonics very unnaturally, and your microphone will be extremely sensitive to those discrepancies, much more than your ears are. So a treated room, or a larger space will let your microphone pick up a more accurate sound, and reduce the amount of post production needed, especially for an instrument so reliant on the room as the French horn.
@@ScottLegerHorn oh interesting. I have a 10x10 room but there’s a slight echo. Would an investment in sound panels be smart? If so should I place them behind my horn or in the general area where the mic is? Thanks!
Hello! For recording in your home, sometimes the best option is to pick the largest space with the highest ceiling. You want a place where the horn sounds big and bold, but where there is still some clarity to the sound.
This is more helpful information than most of what they teach at music schools. Well done!
Oh my gosh this was SO helpful. I'm gearing up to start recording myself for job applications and I have no idea what I'm doing with audio equipment. I feel like now I know where to start. Thank you!
Brilliant, Scott, and so informative. Playing was beautiful too :) Thanks so much for doing this.
Thank you!
Scott, this is so good! I wish I had this video as a resource when I started learning about audio equipment months ago. Amazing job!!
Great video. My best Horn recordings have been with a single josephson c-603 using the omni capsule. But, in my opinion in the absolute most important factor is the room. More than other instruments the Horn needs space for the sound to develop. Horn is difficult to record because unlike most instruments the bell points behind the player, so a listener never hears direct sound.
Liquid Gold! Thanks for this project, Scott!
Also, Can I borrow like... 5-10k? Or some mics and stuff?
Very helpful. A brilliantly planned easy to understand demo.
Glad it was helpful!
Incredibly helpful, thanks! I'm currently using a Zoom Q8 video recorder as my interface because it has a built-in dual/stereo mic array as well as 2 XLR ports. I've got a Sennheiser MD 421 II plugged into one of those ports. I've had both the camera mics and the Sennhesier placed in front of me to record, but I think I might use the Sennheiser as a spot mic behind me and lower now after watching your tutorial.
Thank you ! Loved hearing the differences with the mikes. I currently use a Tascam DR-05x recorder's USB output directly into an ancient McBook Pro running Quicktime Player's Movie recording function. I purchased the Tascam to record rehearsals before pandemic. Never thought I would be using it this way.
So helpful!!! Thank you!
Glad you found it useful!
Great video and great playing! Thanks for taking the time to create and share this content.
I'm about to switch from large-diaphragm condensers (MXL 990 and MXL 2003) to a Golden Age R1 active tube ribbon mic set-up. I have been using a stereo set up with one mic direct (SM57, 58, or MXL 2003) and one condenser mic in the room, going into a Presonus Audiobox.
Wish I could afford those DPA 4011s and a triple horn!
Honestly the Zoom mic was my favorite. If you need an unforgiving and honest take on what you actually sound like and ways to make improvements to your overall sound, then that would be my mic of choice. For recording sessions though its hard to beat that Sony and Rode setup imho.
Thank you for the video. For my video I use the H2 zoom recorder connected to my pc, since the zoom already has a built-in sound card, it processes the audio well and so now zoom has become the microphone of my pc. I don't know if you've ever tried.
Thanks! A great comparison video.
Something that would also be useful for us to hear the SAME excerpt with the different mics. It is easier to hear differences this way.
Is there any mic you suggest for a situation where you have to be close mic'd? Like playing in a pit orchestra or rock band where there is not really an option to put the mic out front?
You make the videos that everybody needs and no one does, great job!
Do you only have that triple horn? Or do you own other horns? Anyway, a video about the different modern horns and how they work could be pretty useful! Cheers!
Thank you!
I only own the triple horn but I have access to a descant and a double as well
Thanks so much Scott!
Thanks for watching, Ilze!
Should the bell of the horn be faced towards the microphone, or should your body face the microphone? (specifically asking for the blue yeti)
I would say you should never position the mic towards the bell
probably should have watched this before turning in region etudes
How do you manage with the dynamaics of the horn. Have a trouble with the dynamics. Being to low and to high.
Hello! This is definitely a challenging thing since our music varies so much in dynamics. But if you set your microphone so that your mezzo forte playing at around -12dB, then you should be good to record your full dynamic register without distorting the sound
Distance like “6ft to 8 ft in front the horn” means behind you correct?
I do not usually but the microphone behind the bell when I’m recording solo. The French horn is heard as a reflected sound so I think if you’re only using one or two microphones it’s best to leave them in front where an audience might be.
Two exceptions however are in a chamber music or orchestral setting you can put a mic behind the bell to help with mixing. It’s not the optimal desired sound, but it can help with clarity. The main sound will still come from whatever microphones you’re using to capture the entire group.
And if you are in a large enough space, you could probably get away with putting the microphone behind the bell, but also elevated to get some of the room sound as well as the direct horn sound.
TL;DR you don’t really need to put a mic behind the bell unless you’re isolating it in a group
Does the room where you record in drastically affect the recording quality?
Yes! 100%
Untreated rooms reflect and amplify harmonics very unnaturally, and your microphone will be extremely sensitive to those discrepancies, much more than your ears are.
So a treated room, or a larger space will let your microphone pick up a more accurate sound, and reduce the amount of post production needed, especially for an instrument so reliant on the room as the French horn.
@@ScottLegerHorn oh interesting. I have a 10x10 room but there’s a slight echo. Would an investment in sound panels be smart? If so should I place them behind my horn or in the general area where the mic is? Thanks!
You’re too good for microphone quality to matter. You could you a mic from the 1930s and still sound amazing
Hi! I would like to know what type of room/space to prepare for recording? I don’t have any available empty room to record. Thanks!
Hello! For recording in your home, sometimes the best option is to pick the largest space with the highest ceiling. You want a place where the horn sounds big and bold, but where there is still some clarity to the sound.
Its just sad how the horn Sounds so damped with some of these, the way a Horn can blast is the best thing about it