I'm due to record a new CD with our band in January, and am gonna break out the chromatic for a couple of tunes.
As I'm predominantly a diatonic player for gigs and studio, I have little experience of actually recording the chromatic harp - any worthwhile tips or dos and don'ts on this? I intend to use a Hohner 270 Deluxe or possibly a CX12.
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2011 10:27 AM
The volume of the chromatics tends to be lower than the diatonic as you can't get a fully sealed cup. But the engineer will balance the levels.
Best tip I can give for recording any harp type is use 2 amps and record both to separate channels.I use a Boss DD-2 or 3 as it has dual output, one wet and one dry to link the amps.
Maybe use a combination of a dirty sounding amp and a clean one. I used my Bassman and a 1w amp. This allows you to mix/or not the 2 channels together to get the sound you want.
that's good counsel. aside from any amp/mic combos though, you may want to go straight into the vocal condenser mic, after getting it tweaked for harp frequencies. this can provide a straight-up clean track in the mix, which is sometimes a really good thing with a chro. only other thing i'd recommend is, don't push hard to get extra volume. relax and play easier than with a lot of diatonics and live performance. the chromatic has all those very sweet notes but it's not hard to actually bend past them or lock a reed with too mush air. hope you post a bite when the recording is done! ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
Cheers guys - I bring the chromatic out at gigs fairly regularly, so have a handle on the volume difference and playing a little easier than a diatonic.
Last time we recorded I just used a small amp (HG2), which sounded great cranked up, but I was actually planning on using my Bassman this time because I love its sound with a black label CR. I will likely try 7LimitJI's suggestion of two amps linked up and have a play around with the results.
Thanks for the response, and I will post some stuff further down the line :)
a bassman with a crystal sounds really fine i can testify from personal experience! have yet to record with that setup. ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
Like Diggs asked- what will be your set up? Will it be amped, acoustic, played through the vocal mic, overdubbed, will the band all be one room, isolation rooms, each track overdubbed? Each presents its own situation. Walter ---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
Hi, new to this forum but here are some things I do as a chromatic player:
1. I use a Shure SM58 for live and recording 2. When recording, I am 2" inches away for my mic 3. Obviously, the mic is on a stand to avoid movement noise which is different than when playing live when I hold the mic cupped in my hand 4. Being close to the mic can produce breathing noises. So I put one hand under my nose and point it away from the mic. Also, be careful with any other grunting or breathing noise. 5. If you record the chromatic on a separate track, you can edit most of noises out later. 6. Pay special attention to eq. Cut 8k by 6 db when mixing the harmonic track 7. Effects to taste with reverb and delay
To hear a sample of this technique, go to http://www.myspace.com/eastgtwestcollaboration/music/songs/qiana-10694797 and listen to Killer Joe and Qiana Good luck
P.S. I record all tracks dry. If you "punch in" afterwards, even at a later date, there will be no problems. However when recording, have effects and eq sent to the headphones so you play to and hear what the final sound will be like.
