The Clarinet BBoard![The C4 standard](/clarinet/BBoard/images/C4.gif)
|
Author: Noodler100
Date: 2024-07-15 19:31
Hi all, does anyone have any views on the best affordable mics for recording a clarinet at home, ie ribbon vs condenser (large vs small) and brands? I keep reading that ribbon mics create the smoothest sound? Thanks a lot!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-07-15 20:14
If you are already doing recording with various xlr microphones and associated cables, preamps, DAWS and DAW related plug-ins (sound processing apps), I would agree and perhaps recommend recording using two for a more euphonic result.
HOWEVER
If you are just interested in recording yourself and don't want to spend a HUGE sum of money, time and research, I personally would recommend using a Zoom H2n recorder (around $180). These guys do a great job of recording to a pretty high level. You still need to place the mic (Zoom recorder) at least 10 feet back from you and maybe up toward the ceiling may be even better. For clarinet, room interaction is important so that you don't just get a really dry, lifeless sound and get more discouraged than anything else.
...........Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: gwie
Date: 2024-07-23 05:33
When I was recording individual woodwind players for mashup recordings during the pandemic, I initially had a recording engineer colleague drop in with his matched pair of Coles 4038's--absolutely beautiful but it's overkill for me.![:)](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie1.gif)
I then tried two Royer ribbon microphones that were loaned to me by another colleague, and eventually ended up with two very inexpensive MXL 144's that did mostly a good job as well.
At the end of the day, good mic placement as well as a good recording space can make a much bigger difference than spending tons of money on the gear, and my students recording their recitals get a lot of mileage out of borrowing a relatively inexpensive set of gear I've made available for them to borrow at school, which includes a basic USB audio interface, two Audio Technica AT2020 mics, and all of the required cables and stands. I also loan them this book, which is really helpful for anyone new to recording instruments and ensembles:
https://www.routledge.com/Classical-Recording-A-Practical-Guide-in-the-Decca-Tradition/Haigh-Dunkerley-Rogers-Haigh-Dunkerley-Rogers/p/book/9780367312800
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-07-24 00:02
Gwie has a good point . The "best mic" would probably be a condenser mic with a $500,000 recording studio wrapped around it. Better be thinking the best mic for your needs in your typical recording environment. Dynamic mics likely fit the bill for most people. User friendly, self powered, versatile, directional ( to cut out external noise) and offering good quality for cost. One can always go crazy in pursuit of the superlative recording quality , but then you're really entering into the recording world of pain.... Don't do it!.... it's for masochists only.😂
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Noodler100
Date: 2024-08-02 21:18
Thanks everyone for the views. It feels like once you get into this the possibilities are endless and it could become all consuming! Thanks for all the advice,
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
![](/images/misc/transpix.gif) |