Klarinet Archive - Posting 000182.txt from 2004/02

From: Tski1128@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Miking a clarinet
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 08:30:22 -0500

As far as I'm concerned the only way to Mic a clarinet, for concerts and gigs is the wireless AKG 419, I use it clipped to the bell aimed up over the holes. It is very light, I play with a double lip embouchure and 4oz more weight on the end of your clarinet can feel like 4 pounds by the end of a long hora! The insulation from vibration is very good so you don't pick up a lot of key noise. I also have a wired version that I use when I'm not moving around or playing to close to NSA(radio interference). When I use my Yamaha O1v mixer I can put just enough compression on it that I can move it between 3 different Saxes and the clarinet without getting huge volume swings that I have to deal with.

This is the system I use 95% of the time, when I am really getting anal about capturing the absolute most accurate sound of my clarinet, I use a Beyer 500M ribbon on a stand. But that only goes on the stand after I put on the custom barrel and bell and switch to the totally hand made reed. I found the Beyer is a very warm mic and can be turned up on stage without the feed back problems and ambient sound pick up of using a condenser mic.
Hope this helps

Tom Puwalski, former clarinet soloist for the US Army Field Band, author of "The Clarinetists Guide to Klezmer." and Clarinetist with Washington DC's hottest Klezmer band Lox&Vodka

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