Re: Flute Microphones

"BarbaraD" <borders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1141137430.891755.298930@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I'm looking for a microphone for flute -- both for audio
recording and for live sound (I'm aware this means I may
need 2). Someone recommended the AT3031 -- I'm still
checking. I'm willing to get "good" microphones for the
purpose. Styles range the gamut -- French Canadian/Irish
ensemble, and also classical flute, also jazz. The flute
involved is a quality instrument, and I want to do
justice to the tone and range.

From a live sound perspective there are a number of possible approaches.

One popular live sound solution is to clip a miniature mic to the body of
the instrument itself. This can get interesting because there are two
sources of sound on a flute. This approach usually involves using just one
mic. I just haven't gone there.

It might be interesting to mic both ends of a flute with two mics, and mix
and match with more distant mics and pick what sounds best for the occasion.

Partially driven by the fact that I sometimes have a group of flutes to mic,
I generally use a coincident pair of hypercardioids on a tall stand pointing
down at the flute(s). Since the flute is not really a bass instrument, Audix
OM-5s can work here.

If money were a serious issue and/or if you want to impress the heck out of
visiting firemen with a complex-looking pile of shiny hardware, a pair of
Samson C01s in shock mounts might be interesting. I haven't tried it, but
based on other experiences, it could work.

Before this, I worked with fat cardioids (MXL 603s) but the feedback issues
got to me. Nice sound otherwise.

Also I'd like input on "type" of microphone that would be
best (condenser, etc.). Sorry to be so "basic" here --
I'm researching as best I can.

Since I'm so into buying mics by sound and application, I can't see buying
mics by type. Just about every console and preamp has phantom power built
in, I see no need to worry about ending up with a condenser if its the best
fit otherwise.

I'd like suggestions in several price ranges.

I'm on a tight budget, so high end mics are simply out of the question.


.

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