 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Smelly Beard
Date: 2012-01-08 17:34
Hi,
Has anyone ever used the AMT System 1 Microphone (http://www.appliedmicrophone.com/products/show/21) for clarinet amplification? On their website, they say that it can be used for clarinet as well as around forty other instruments, so I am wondering if it is a good purchase, whether the single mic picks up a good range, good tone etc.
I would be using it in a band context with lots of other instruments nearby.
Thanks!
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2012-01-09 02:36
I use an AKG 414 on a special bracket made for me by Morrie Backun, I always like the way it sounds it's a one mic system. I'm performing at the 2012 Namm show and I am going will be reviewing the both of their systems, the system one (the single mic and their double mic system. I don't see any advantage to sticking any mic near the bell of the clarinet. If the lower mic be placed over the lower holes it could be really great but I don't think it looks like it can. I will let you know what I find out. Eddie Daniels sounds great on the double mic system. He sounds incredibly "real" with it. It does't seem like you can put the clarinet on stand with the double mic. and the clarinet uses a special mount so I don't think you can switch them to a sax or a flute with that mount. But these mics sound good. Let you know what I find out.
Tom Puwalski
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-01-09 04:34
I have both (and have tried many clip-on mics from other companies too). They both can sound good. The double mic sounds better IMO eventhough the second mic is near the bell. You can't put the clarinet on a stand with the double mic but you can temporarily move it to the side so you can put it on a stand. The mount is for the dound area above the bell so yes, you can't put it on a (soprano) sax unless you modify your own mount, etc.
I slightly prefer (it's not a huge difference) the way AMT sound compared with other clip-on mics but IMO the build quality of the AKG 414 that Tom mentioned is a little better.
Post Edited (2012-01-09 04:35)
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Author: Smelly Beard
Date: 2012-01-10 15:15
Many thanks both of you. A quick internet search for the AKG 414 places it near the £1,000 mark, and unfortunately here budget does not extend that far. The AMT System 1 is around £320, which is more like what I am looking to pay. Although there are clearly better options for higher prices, I just wanted to know if the AMT S1 was sufficiently good for clarinet amplification. I look forward to hearing your findings, Tom.
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Author: ClaytonMarch
Date: 2012-01-11 03:15
I have both the System One and the WS and much prefer the WS.
I got the System One first, about three years ago. Like you, that was as much as my budget would allow. To my ears, I found the sound only equal too or just marginally better than a Sure SM57. But, for me, the extra money was well worth it as I was able to interact better with the band and audience and thus play better without worrying if I was drifting away from the mic.
I bought the System One from WWBW. The unit was sent without the universal mount. WWBW was not at all helpful at resolving this issue and after three days of frustrating phone calls I contacted AMT directly and they resolved the issue with a fedex package the next day. I applaud AMT’s customer service.
I contacted AMT again about 6 months ago to get advice about my next purchase and potential purchases for an entire band. I found Ron very knowledgeable and helpful. At certain points in the conversation he even steered me toward non-AMT products for what I wanted to do. In the end, I did get an AMT-WS with the Wi5C.
I really, really like the AMT-WS with the wireless system. I’ve used it in loud dance club environments, small concert halls, and 10,000 plus outdoor venues. In my opinion the sound is significantly better than the AMT System One. I love not having any wires or even a belt pack. The only drawback is that it is a little “Clunky” and even though it doesn’t weigh much, I think it throws the balance of the clarinet off a little and I can feel some strain in my bottom hand after more than one set.
In my personal use, the WS is also less prone to feedback than the System One is.
If I were buying all over again, I probably would have skipped the System One and gone for the WS adding the wireless unit at a later time. I don’t think the System One is wireless compatible.
The comments above are just my impressions. I’m a clarinetist and not a pro sound engineer, so take them for what the are worth.
CM
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-01-11 06:29
>> A quick internet search for the AKG 414 places it near the £1,000 mark <<
Hmm... I wrote 414 because that's what Tom's post said, referring to the AKG clip-on mic. I didn't actually remember the model names. I looked and noticed the 414 is actually one of their condenser (non-clip-on) mics and I think Tom's post was a typo. Actually I've used the AKG 414 a few times (mainly for recordings). I don't remember the clip-on model but it's nowhere near £1,000. If I remember, last I checked it was cheaper than the AMT.
Just to add to ClaytonMarch, IMO the WS is significantly heavy i.e. playing with it for a while is tiring. It's both its weight and the fact it is gripped near the bell.
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2012-01-11 12:24
Yea it's a 419 clip on. I use 414s all the time though when recording, it's my go to condenser mic, when I don't use ribbons.
The problem that I tried to address when I put my rig together was: Sound Vs Weight. I play double lip, I have for 43 years. I play lots of gigs all standing. Even the slightest bit of weight on the end of a clarinet is magnified on the mouthpiece end when you play double lip. The 419 was the lightest at the time. Before I switched to Backun bells, I would just clip it on the bell and aim it up over the holes, and I thought it sounded really good. When I switched to a Backun Bell, it wouldn't clip on the bell edge anymore, so Morrie made a little mounting clip that mounts between the bottom post and the bell, and gets the mic to what I think is a better position. When I use my mic rig, I always use a Zebra wood bell. I use this for 2 reasons, firstly it sounds better in the mic, notes below the mic are louder and more even. Secondly, the weight of a Zebra wood bell and my mic rig is less than a typical "stock" bell just by itself. I also cut down the weight by using some of the older 419s from before they "fixed" the wire problem by adding a thin "beefy" read that as heavier wire.
Tom Puwalski
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Author: dansil
Date: 2012-01-11 12:27
I recently purchased the AKG C519 microphone which is very similar to the AMT System One and found that it was just impossible to keep it mounted with it's spring-loaded clip to the bell of my Bb clarinet. It does sit reasonably nicely on my bass clarinet bell. So I made a velcro strapon device with a rosewood slat which sits up from the bell right at the junction with the lower joint and the AKG clamps beautifully and securely to this. I have it pointed to tone holes in the middle of the lower joint and it seems to work well. This mic works well with the wireless transmitter/receiver system. I couldn't justify paying more than 3 times the price for the double microphone AKA 414 but maybe oneday......
Danny
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