Klarinet Archive - Posting 000062.txt from 2010/06

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] pickup for clarinet
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2010 13:14:44 -0400

The system you're thinking of was made by Barcus-Berry. I have no idea if
it is still being made, though... Basically you had to drill a hole in the
barrel and then you'd attach the pickup to that hole. When it wasn't in
use, you'd use something that came in the kit to plug the hole allowing you
to go between electronic and acoustic setups.

I do stuff like this on stages on a regular basis but the way it is handled
changes based on player.

The easiest way to do this is to use a dynamic microphone and using an
impedance adapter, plug it into a guitar pedal. The level may be a bit low,
but it usually works pretty well. There are also a number of other mic
systems out there, the best is probably the AMT. You can also accomplish by
attaching any mic to the instrument- I usually recommend a DPA 4099 attached
to the bell and aiming up the outside of the instrument or a DPA 4061
attached to the players chest or in the bottom of the left shirt sleeve cuff
(long sleeve shirt). With these "real" condenser mics, though, you'll have
to go through some sort of preamp or mixing board to get your sound. It
requires more gear, but you'll probably also get a bit better sound.

Just a few thoughts from the trenches...

--Ben

Benjamin Maas
Fifth Circle Audio
Long Beach, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: fred jacobowitz
> Subject: [kl] pickup for clarinet
>
> I want to use distortion on my clarinet. (No, I don't want to have
> to learn to play a Wind Controller, etc. - I already play clarinet
> quite well, thank you). Does anyone know a way of doing it? I know it
> is possible on Bass Clarinet, but haven't heard of anything for
> clarinet.
>
> There once was a barrel made with a built-in pickup. Does anyone have
> one they would be willing to part with? Or, failing that, does anyone
> know how I could fashion a pickup that would stay attached to my
> clarinet? I have already tried making my own peizo pickup, but I
> couldn't get it to stay attached, and it picked up too many key and
> finger vibrations. Thanks all.
>
> Fred Jacobowitz

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