Recording Recording with Zoom

[MikeMorrell]

I use a Zoon H4n as a USB mic for recording with Cubase but I guess this question applies to all Zoom recorders (and USB mics?). I notice that my recordings have lot less 'edge' than I hear when I'm playing. I sound more 'conservative' and less expressive than I expect. My recordings have a more 'closed' and less 'open' sound than I hear when I'm playing. I've looked in the Zoom manual and I can't find any frequency cut-off filters that I might have inadvertently applied.

When I'm recording, the H4n is about a foot away from the sax, about midway between the keys and the bell.

I use a little-known ESM (step-baffle) 105mm mouthpiece with a 2,5 mm Rico/Van Doren reed. When I'm playing, I obviously 'hear' through the bone structure of my head which the mic is not picking up. Still, my sax sounds much less 'bright' than I'm hearing. Is this common? Anyone have any tips?

I'm trying to resist the temptation to buy a different mouthpiece until I can get a brighter and more open sound with the one I have.

Any suggestions welcome!

Examples:

https://soundcloud.com/mike-morrell-765250389

View: https://soundcloud.com/mike-morrell-765250389

 

[rhysonsax]

I find it easiest to hear my natural sound by playing close up against a wall, or into the corner of two walls.

From your description it sounds like you have the mic set up in a good position relative to the sax. But it is quite hard to hear the nuances of the sax sound with the backing track present as well.

I have a Zoom H2n and it is pretty good at capturing a faithful representation of the sax, for good or ill. But a couple of points from my experience on that Zoom model might also apply to the H4n.

1. Check that the H4n is facing the right way for the microphone pattern you have selected (I have had it facing away from me and the sound was a bit muffled like that).
2. Check that you have the gain set high enough, but that the sound level is not clipping.
3. Check that there aren't any funny autogain, lo cut, comp/limiter or other input options selected.

Good luck.

Rhys

 

[Veggie Dave]

I could be that the mic simply doesn't have the capabilities to capture all the frequencies a sax produces. You may also have to spend a lot more time adjusting EQ settings than you think should be necessary, too, and that then leads to the possibility your monitor speakers aren't precise enough for you to make the subtle adjustments needed. It could even be the mic is picking up more of the room than is desirable and that's killing some of the tones you really like.

 

[Jez Watson]

check mic pattern and recording quality in the appropiate settings, it should be good at capturing ur sound, maybe you are too close, try recording just sax at different distances