Listen carefully to your trumpet recording, taking note of any elements of the sound quality you find unappealing. If, for example, the trumpet sounds bass-heavy, make a note of it. Others factors to listen for include abrasive hissing, lack of clarity or distortion.
Access the graphic equalizer in your digital audio workstation or hardware device and gently lower the bass, or low frequency slider if you noticed previously that the recording needed less of a bass presence.
Gently lower the treble, or high frequency slider if you have noticed abrasive hissing or squealing in the recording. Reducing treble frequencies will produce a milder, gentle tone that is more appropriate for recording.
Raise the mid-range frequency slider if the trumpet sounds muddy or muffled. The resonant tones in the middle region of the harmonic spectrum are largely responsible for the overall sound quality of your recording. If you wish to dull or dampen the recording, lower the mid-range frequency slider.
Use the volume slider on your software or hardware mixer to fit the recorded trumpet audio into your overall mix. If, for example, the trumpet is a featured instrument in the production, you may wish to raise its volume levels above the other instruments in your production, allowing the trumpet to be heard without overpowering the rest of the ensemble. If the trumpet is nothing more than an accompanying instrument, ensure that the lead vocals or instrumental lines are not overwhelmed by the piercing timbre of the trumpet.