Klarinet Archive - Posting 000595.txt from 1996/11

From: Benjamin Maas <bm004e@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Clarinet Pick-ups(serious, this time!)
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 11:34:18 -0500

Forwarded message:
>
> > Hi folks!
> >
> > Does anyone know which is the best pick-up
> > for a clarinet? The one that I have is called
> > Barcus-Berry.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tony.
>
> Tony,
> I don't have the answer, but a while ago there was a discussion on
> the list about the best microphones to use for recording the clarinet.
> Perhaps if you searched the archives under "microphones" or something
> similar, you might get info you can use!
> Good luck!
>
> -Scott
>
> Scott D. Morrow
> Department of Biochemistry
> School of Hygiene and Public Health
> Johns Hopkins University
> (410)-955-3631
>
> SDM@-----.edu
>

The Barcus Berry pickup is pretty good, however it is not without problems.
I have found that that pickup does not make the most accurate clarinet sound
comming out of the amp. This is because the contact microphone is attached
either to a reed or into the barrel of the instrument. Generally you will
get a better sound when you mic externally (because that is what we hear-not
the inside of the horn). There are several that are good. Personally I
have used a microphone on a stand and played into it, but SD Systems makes
what I understand to be a really good mic system. I have never used it, but
it has been recommended to me by several people. The clarinet mic system
has two mics as a part of it. One is over the bell and the other is over
the keys. This helps ballance the sound comming out of different areas of
the instruments as the clarinet is different than say a brass instrument.
The only bad thing about this set-up is the price (about $450). Check out
the lates Woodwind Brasswind catalog, p. 129 for a picture and description
of this and other systems.

Ben Maas

--
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*Benjamin Maas * Which is more musical, a truck passing*
*Student, Eastman School of Music * by a factory, or a truck passing by a *
*bm004e@-----.edu * music school? -John Cage, 1957*
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