Microphone Recommendations for Your Trumpet Lessons and Online Classes

You're a serious trumpet student and eager to get your trumpet lessons started. You're adventurous enough that you're willing to hire a teacher and take lessons online. There is one small problem.

Zoom and other similar video chat platforms were not initially designed with the trumpet player in mind.

Don't fret!

There are some simple solutions to have you ready for your online lesson in no time.

One solution is to make sure that your computer settings are prepared to receive the loud sound of the trumpet.

Secondly, you will want to make certain that your software settings (in our case Zoom) is set for the trumpet.

Finally, you may consider purchasing a microphone and headphones if you don't already own these things.

Setting up your P.C. for trumpet Lessons

For you P.C. users out there, here is a video that one of my students created after we could not hear him in a class meeting. This solved the problem for him. Here is what he had to say along with a video to help guide you through the settings.

"Finally, the problem with my mic (you could hear my voice but not the trumpet) is something other students of yours may run into. Here is the fix. (Windows 11)

Open Settings>System>Sound.

Scroll down to Input.

Click on the microphone.

Scroll down to Audio Enhancements and turn it off. (Audio Enhancements appears to be the AI engine that trains the microphone to detect voice only.)

There is a video attached for convenience. "

Zoom Audio Settings for Built-In Computer Microphone

Remember to also set your Zoom settings. Here are some things to look for.

Setting Up Your Mac for Trumpet Lessons

For you Mac users out there, here is a short tutorial to help guide you through how to set your audio for trumpet lessons.

Microphone Options for Trumpet Lessons: Good, Better, and Best

If you don't already own a microphone, here are some microphone options for you. For our purposes (an online trumpet meeting) dynamic microphones work best. Why? They are designed to reject sound that is not directly in front of the capsule. Secondly, trumpet is a loud instrument and while all microphones can receive the sound, some microphones are sensitive. Dynamic microphones can handle the loud sounds better than other types of microphones.

While any dynamic microphone, headphones, and interface can work, here is a short list of gear that either I have used or my students have used with success.

Special Note: The USB microphones are the quickest and most hassle-free way to get going. They'll serve our purposes just fine. I'm including the other microphones just in case you have plans to do something more, like record in a home studio or perform in public. If you choose an XLR microphone then you must have a way to connect the microphone to the computer since XLR does not plug directly into the computer. That's where the interface comes in.

These links are also affiliate links. NOTE: These do not appear as links becuase the text is all blue but you may click the following list.

Shure SM57 - This is an XLR microphone

Shure Beta 57A - This is an XLR microphone

Audio Technica AT2100X-USB and XLR - This is a hybrid microphone. It is both USB and XLR.

Zoom H1n - Note: the model I own is discontinued so this link is to the new version. This is a recorder that can also be connected to the computer via USB. If you want to know more about this device, I created a whole YouTube video about it that you can check out.

Sony Headphones - You will need some headphones to prevent the feedback loop sound.

Focusrite Scarlett - This is the interface for XLR microphones

Microphone Recommendations for Your Trumpet Lessons and Online Classes

Setting up your P.C. for trumpet Lessons

Zoom Audio Settings for Built-In Computer Microphone

Setting Up Your Mac for Trumpet Lessons

Microphone Options for Trumpet Lessons: Good, Better, and Best

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