Re: [Harp-L] Recording Harmonica

[Slim Heilpern <slim@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi David -

Common studio engineering wisdom (especially if recording with modern digital equipment) is to use the best mic for the particular situation. Use the mic that sounds best with no eq or compression to begin with (so maybe not a condenser in this case). If youâre multi-tracking, compression and eq are best saved for mixdown. For tracks already recorded that exhibit the problem you describe, a multi-band compressor is probably the best solution, but if youâre not familiar with using multi-band compressors, they can be a bit intimidating. 

By all means experiment with the Joe Meek compressor/preamp (I use one of these in my live setup), but again, go with the mic that works best without any help as a starting point.

Hope this helpsâ

- Slim.

www.SlimAndPenny.com


> On Apr 11, 2016, at 5:49 AM, David Pearce <harpdog123@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> 
> I found this excellent article on recording harmonica in the studio.  http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may13/articles/harmonica.htm  When recording acoustic harp one thing that's always bothered me when recording through condenser mics is that the mic is so sensitive that the difference between cupped and open hands is greatly exaggerated by the mic.  I wanted to know if other players have the same problem and if so, what strategy do they use to prevent this from happening.  I have a nice Joe Meek compressor/preamp and am going to experiment with using compression to smooth out the levels.
> 
> David Pearce
> 
> 
>