Work with your performers or composers to decide what type of sound you want. Wind instruments can be recorded in a variety of ways, and each produces vastly different types of sounds. Knowing the type of sound you want to achieve will affect every decision you make in the recording process.
Find adequate space for recording. While you can technically record a wind instrument anywhere, you'll get the best sounds from utilizing both the instrument and the room in which it's being played. Large rooms with hard surfaces are best, while unfinished basements will work in a pinch. Mobile engineers can harness epic sounds in churches and concert halls.
Check your equipment against the type of instrument you're recording. Brass instruments project their sound forward, using their bell to resonate. Woodwinds and flutes, however, have keyholes that also release sound. While a ribbon mic on a stand will be perfect for the brass instruments, you may want to consider tiny, clip-on microphones for smaller woodwinds.
Evaluate the sound you're getting by setting up your performer in your selected recording space. Move your performer around the room and decide where the performer gets the best sound. This may take some time and a careful ear.
Set up your recording equipment and your microphones. Experiment with microphone placements and decide where the best sound can be captured.
Get a read on your levels before recording. Brass instruments have many different volume levels at which they are played, ranging from quiet to blaring. Unlike recording amplified instruments, you'll have to communicate with your performer which levels are acceptable and which push your monitor into the red.
Do a few practice runs on the piece to confirm your levels, microphone and performer placement. This will allow you to make last minute adjustments if needed.
Begin recording your piece, but be prepared to record the most difficult sections first. Wind instruments are powered by the lungs of the player, and the performance of this player will suffer noticeably over long recording sessions. It is recommended that you use a non-linear recording approach to capture the hardest parts first, then fill in the easier bits.
Allow your performers an adequate amount of breaks. Use this time to keep them hydrated, and to allow them to listen to the recorded performance so far. If you are unfamiliar with wind instruments, you may not notice common mistakes like blares, missed notes, flooded notes and accidental trills. A good performer will point out sections that need to be re-recorded.
Consider doubling your player's performance for added fullness. Having a single wind player can certainly add to a composition, but concert instruments are best appreciated as sections.
Evaluate the recorded piece with the player. Be meticulous about missed notes and off pitches, as these can ruin your piece once all of the other instruments are added. Always be prepared to record "punch-ins" to fix mistakes and get the pieces as close to perfection as possible.