Micing Melodica

imacgreg

New member
In my punk band, our singer sometimes plays the melodica (basically a flute w/piano keys!). We have had a hard time micing it live, and although this isn't a recording question we'll be recording it soon. As far as live goes, what would be the best way to mic it without feedback? We have used a 57 and a 421, both with minimal success. To get the instrument loud enough in the mix (think marshall halfstack) I have to crank the gain, which leads to feedback. The 421 works a bit better with the bass roll off but I am hesitant to carry that thing around at shows with how easliy mics can "walk." I have been thinking about one of those "horn" mics with the clip and small diaphragm but I'm not so sure that would be any better. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Ian
 
Ian,

The way I get an instrument with "soft" sounds into a mix with loud guitars and drums is to record it in isolation. Basically, you have two options.

1. Record the guitar parts and then overdub the melodica on a separate track while the player uses headphones. Be sure to set up a separate headphone mix which keeps the louder instruments below the melodica.

2. Record the melodica in an isolation booth.

Either way works fine. As far a micing a melodica, I would recommend a condenser mic when recording in isolation.

Just my two cents...I hope that it helps.
 
Try using one of those 'Clip on' mics....you know what I mean? Radio shack (no flames!!!!!!!!!) sells them. They are little tiny condenser mics....game shows use them!! lol

Does any one know what I am talking about?
 
Thanks Gargamel, that's kindof what I've been thinking, but I forgot about ol Radio Shack.
I'll check it out,
Ian
 
Ian,

You aren't going to believe this when I tell you, but my brother actually played a melodica on a few songs with his band. The mic he used was a small condenser mic. (It was similar to the radio shack mic Gargamel was mentioning.) The mic was plugged into a small guitar amplifier and then a Shure Unisphere A mic was used to mic the guitar amplifier through the PA system.

This is sort of the way that harmonicas are mic'ed. By using this set up, he could keep the volume low enough on the condenser mic that he didn't pick up a lot of background noise.

I hope that this helps.
 
That's a good idea, I have a Fender guitar amp that we can try. I'm thinking just wire the mic for unbalanced (if it isnt already) and just go to the amp. My other question is: Where does the sound come out on the melodica?? There aren't any holes, we assumed it came out from underneath the keys, in which case mic placement would make a big difference right (if he is playing across the range)?

Thanks for your help,
Ian
 
Ian
What mic positioning are you using? I've only come accross a melodica once and it was played by a very experienced and professional keyboard player. He used it as a surprise/novelty thing and produced it mid gig. He just walked up to the mic and pointed the mic straight up and miked the underside of the instrument. I'm asuming there is a sound hole of some sort underneath? Anyway, I had no trouble geting enough gain. It was either a SM57 or 58.
Mark
 
Sorry if I'm repeating something here. I've played with a guy who ocasionally played the melodica. And this is said before : small, condencer - here comes the new part : he bought one especialy build for a fiddle, it fitted inside the melodica, sounded pretty good
bizz
 
Alternately, you could just get a new singer, someone who didn't play goofy stuff like a melodica. :D

Melodica in a punk band... he's just showing off, right? :D
 
Melodica in a punk band... he's just showing off, right?
I know you are kidding, but it sounds pretty cool. It's like having another guitar player but without the amp, attitude, etc. We just use it to do some lead/melody lines to spice up our songs cause we aren't that great of songwriters.

A fiddle mic? How would I get it inside of the melodica? I don't have it here with me, but I'm assuming you can take it apart. That might work...
Any suggestions on fiddle mics?
Thanks,
ian
 
imacgreg said:

A fiddle mic? How would I get it inside of the melodica? I don't have it here with me, but I'm assuming you can take it apart. ian

yeah - as far as I remember he just remowed the buttom - 4 screws
bizz
 
Ahem

imacgreg said:

I know you are kidding, but it sounds pretty cool. It's like having another guitar player but without the amp, attitude, etc. We just use it to do some lead/melody lines to spice up our songs cause we aren't that great of songwriters.

A fiddle mic? How would I get it inside of the melodica? I don't have it here with me, but I'm assuming you can take it apart. That might work...
Any suggestions on fiddle mics?
Thanks,
ian


Melodica + Gang of Four = Old School Cool



nP

(do not try to divide Old School Cool by Melodica however, bad things will happen
Gang of Four is not equal to Old School /Melodica
hehe math jokes.....)
 
yeah - as far as I remember he just remowed the buttom - 4 screws
bizz

You have to take it apart to tune it...so at some point after break-in, most melodica owners "should" learn how to do this.

---------- Update ----------

yeah - as far as I remember he just remowed the buttom - 4 screws
bizz

You have to take it apart to tune it...so at some point after break-in, most melodica owners "should" learn how to do this.
 
Wow, the gauntlet has been thrown down! This necro-post has some amazing qualities. The join date, the lapse between join date and first post, the age of the post being resurrected, the double-post...this may be our finest example yet. Terrific work.
 
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