 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Nathan
Date: 2005-11-21 01:40
I am trying to find a decent microphone to use, that will work with both Bb soprano and bass clarinet, for recording purposes that is $150 or under. I am completely overwhelmed and ignorant when it comes to this matter and was hoping for any advice/suggestions. Thanks in advance.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-11-21 01:52
You can start reading here where musicians have asked the same question as you have:
http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=64
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: lowclarinetman
Date: 2005-11-21 02:30
my rode nt3 does this specific job beautifully.
recording bass and regular clarinets and it falls under the 150 usd mark.. at least it did when i bought mine 3 years ago.
hope this helps.
bob
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-11-21 04:29
The Rode NT3 is about $200 in most places. I don't know much about it though.
In the $200 range which is pretty much the lowest you can go, I'd recommend Audio Technica AT3035, or a Rode NT1A a close second. If you want to stay below $150 you can probably find one of those used. If you want to stay around $100 there is the Studio Projects B1, which some people like, although I don't have any experience with it.
I'd really go for one of those $200 microphones, especially the AT.
Good luck.
Clarnibass (who needs to pay over $300 for a $200 microphone if he wants to buy one)
Post Edited (2005-11-21 06:44)
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Author: seafaris
Date: 2005-11-21 04:34
I have been using the Superlux cm-h8k u for about 1 1/2 years http://www.superlux.us/smalldiaphragm.html
with a studio projects vtb1 preamp for phantom power. It is a small mic with a very neutral sound. I bought mine on ebay new. It is alot of mic for the money.
jim
www.bajaseafaris.com
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-11-21 12:38
On the advice of Blummy, I got 2 Oktavas for cheap. Added Mackie Spike interface, and can record piano and clar. He also recommended the Rodes.
The Russian Oktavas are avail from a certain well known auction online, BUT make sure you are dealing with the authorized dealer.
A well known guitar/d.j. supply retailer has them, but they are the Chinese knock-off. Avoid those.
DO NOT "close-mike clarinets."
"Fly" the mikes pointing 110 deg. off parallel and use room acoustics to your advantage.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-11-21 15:29
Alseg wrote:
...
> DO NOT "close-mike clarinets."
I understand this, part, but...
> "Fly" the mikes pointing 110 deg. off parallel and use room
What does this mean?
...
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-11-21 19:28
"Fly"
Place them up very high off of the ground and at least eight feet away from you. Same method used to record choirs or string quartets in live recitals.
And watch out for the avian flu.
Close micing works better for guitar, one at the tone hole, other at 90 degrees, but unless you have really superlative equipment and years of soloist recording experience, studio monitoring outside the acoustic environment, etc, keep it simple.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-11-21 19:36
Alseg wrote:
> "Fly"
>
> Place them up very high off of the ground and at least eight
> feet away from you. Same method used to record choirs or string
> quartets in live recitals.
Ok, I guessed right about that one, but what about the 110° part? Does that mean to aim the mic away from the performer (0° meaning right at the performer)? Is that in the horizontal or vertical plane, or does it matter?
I understand why you keep the mic some distance away from the performer on clarinet, but how does pointing it at a different angle help?
....
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-11-21 20:21
First Hold them parallel to eachother and pointed towards the sound source or slightly upward , THEN splay them apart by 20 degrees, and you pick up nice pattern. That is what I meant.The usual pattern is "cardiode"
The mic picks up sound also from sides
There are those who say that the mic pair should aim at eachothers path by 90 degrees. This has some basis in wave behavior but in my limited experience (and based on suggestion of experts) does not do well for clarinet recording. The guy who sold me the Oktavas was cordial and instructive (oktavausa.com or something similar to that)
Go to a major mic manufaturer website (eg Shure) and click on home recording.....then follow the links. OR google "recording woodwinds"
and read the articles in the pro studio webzines.....There are as many variations on how to do it (grammy award engineers expound) as there are brands of "the best mic"
Neumann seems to be the rolls royce benchmark (and costlier than certain custom items that get folks on this board salivating), but there are plenty of others that do fine job at lower cost.
and, oh yes.....Vocal /Karoake mics do poorly on woodwinds.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-11-21 20:39
Alseg wrote:
> First Hold them parallel to eachother and pointed towards the
> sound source or slightly upward , THEN splay them apart by 20
> degrees, and you pick up nice pattern. That is what I
> meant.The usual pattern is "cardiode"
> The mic picks up sound also from sides
That makes sense; thanks.
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