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Klarinet Archive - Posting 000087.txt from 1996/01
From: Robert Walzel <AQRLW@-----.EDU>
Subj: Microphones for clarinet
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 1996 17:29:59 -0500
Chosing a microphone with which to record one's self or students can be as
personal as chosing a mouthpiece or new instrument. The problem of quiver in
the tone when recording clarinet is one that has been faced since the
beginning of hi-fi. If your recorder is of acceptable quality and is not the
source of any wow and flutter, then your problem MIGHT be the microphone. Test
your recorder/ player with a prerecorded normal bias tape on which you know
there is no wobble in the sound. If none is present during playback, try
recording yourself on a normal bias tape with no noise reduction of any type.
Sometimes Chrome and Metal tape (type II and IV) do not work as well in some
consumer line portable units.
If a wobble is now present, you should consider the microphone type you are
using. Condensor microphones with large diaphrams are more apt to pick up a
wobble in the sound of a recorded clarinet than are mikes with smaller
diaphrams. For example, in the unlikely event you are using a Neumann UD87
mike with your Walkman, try the smaller diaphrammed AKG 451. Since these are
rather expensive options, you might try a PZM mike. One is available at Radio
Shack (Realistic Brand) for around $40. This does not give you stereo sound,
but you will have much flexibility in terms of placement in a variety of
recording environments.
Also, a variety of electronic fields within and outside of your particular
recording location can cause and encourage the quiver problem. Some Examples
include computers, florescent lighting, and radio and television broadcasts.
I once had to change recording studios because of this problem. However, when
I returned to the original studio 3 months later, the problem was gone. If you
are experiencing some gremlins during recording you are not alone. Whoever
said "the microphone never lies" most certainly was not a clarinet player.
Good Luck!!!
Bob Walzel
