Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

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Phobos
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Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

Post by Phobos » Fri Dec 02, 2022 8:09 am

I have a fair amount of engineering experience but have never recorded a harmonica. Got an overdub session this weekend. Any tips on mics, placement, etc? Also it seems like quite a dynamic instrument that may need compression. Am I off base?

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digitaldrummer
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Re: Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

Post by digitaldrummer » Fri Dec 02, 2022 1:56 pm

is the harmonica player going to amplify it (ex, blues harp)? If so then I just record it like I do a guitar. Put your favorite amp micing mic on the guitar amp. If they are not using an amp (and separate "harp" mic) then I've used anything from dynamic mics (57, 58, etc) to high-end condenser (U47, MA1000). Then just like a vocal, it depends on the player. Same for compression - maybe you need it maybe you don't.
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Re: Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

Post by Scodiddly » Fri Dec 02, 2022 5:37 pm

The jazzy players (*not* the blues dudes) really like a Sennheiser 441.

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Re: Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

Post by emrr » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:34 am

I usually go for a ribbon
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Re: Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

Post by Nick Sevilla » Sat Dec 03, 2022 11:30 am

What is the context of the song? Rock? Blues?

In any case you will need a dynamic mic, a Shure SM57 or similar should be fine.

If it is some fancy classical stuff (right...) then use a good LDC condenser.
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digitaldrummer
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Re: Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

Post by digitaldrummer » Mon Dec 12, 2022 6:07 am

OP, so what did you end up using and how did it go?
Last edited by digitaldrummer on Tue Dec 13, 2022 6:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

Post by Recycled_Brains » Mon Dec 12, 2022 9:38 am

I've only done it twice, but they were very different contexts.

First time was a LDC up close, I think in omni, but possibly just cardioid. That was for a folk thing.

More recently was a green bullet, carbon copy for slap, space echo slightly longer than slap, little combo amp blowing up. Sounds so good.

I would honestly just ask the person playing what they normally do and assume they are on top of it if you're really unsure.
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Re: Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

Post by vvv » Sat Dec 17, 2022 6:47 pm

Me, I record 'em like I do banjo, from the other room with the door closed and the volume turned way down.

Unless the player is good, then I might leave the door open a little. :twisted:
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Re: Recording harmonica, never done it before, help!

Post by Phobos » Sat Jan 14, 2023 8:00 am

This session actually got rescheduled for tomorrow, so now I'm back to choosing mics. I think I've narrowed it down to a basic ol' dynamic like a '57 or RE20... although I have this AEA KU5A I've been wanting to try. Thanks everyone for their input, it's very helpful.

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