New to HR, need some advice on HW components

K

KC80503

New member
I've fooled with a flute on and off for about 40 yrs, no formal training, can't read music, but I feel like I have a pretty good ear for the melody of songs I enjoy listening to. Although I've been playing for some time, my experience with recording is limited to a very inexpensive battery amplified mic, velcroed to the flute. The few recordings I've made consisted of MP3z imported into Audacity which I mixed some flute into. Very elementary, but a couple of the recordings turned out OK for a first effort. I don't yet qualify to post links, but I put one of the recordings on youtube, which can be found by searching for "Neil Young Pocahontas with some flute" if you're so inclined. I had been using the same flute for those 40 yrs, and decided it was time to invest in a better flute, an intermediate Pearl model. So I'm looking for some advice on mics, sound cards (I've been looking at the HT OMEGA Claro Halo PCI ), decent headphones and PC speakers.
My health isn't too good as I approach geezerhood, so I'm not in a position to spend too extravagantly, so these items would have to be relatively inexpensive. I'd really appreciate some feedback on this...like I said, my experience with recording and mixing is remedial at best, so keep that in mind. A couple of inexpensive mics that I've been looking at are the Audix ADX10-FLP, a mic that attaches to a flute, and the Audio-Technica PRO-35 Pro Series Microphone, which could be modified and velcroed to a flute. I posed the question on Amazon, whether or not this mic could be used with a flute, and the majority of responders said it was a good mic for the price, and could be jury rigged to work with a flute. I'll also need to amplify the mic, so any suggestions of phantom battery amplification would also be welcome. I've got a decent PC, which I built myself, and have done quite a bit of research online with my very limited knowledge of HR, but rather than reinvent the wheel, it made sense to ask folks who are knowledgeable about home recording and the various components. My apologies for rambling, and thanks again for any and all advice you're willing to offer....Kirby
 
Your question would be better asked on the Newbies page, rather than 'other equipment', maybe a moderator will see it and move it.

No experience with recording flute, but I would question a mic that attaches to the flute as the best option - I would think those are best for live use.
A condensor mix and a USB audio interface (rather than a soundcard that has to be installed in your computer) woudl be the best choice. What is your budget?
 
flute and USB interface for recording

mjbphotos said:
Your question would be better asked on the Newbies page, rather than 'other equipment', maybe a moderator will see it and move it.

No experience with recording flute, but I would question a mic that attaches to the flute as the best option - I would think those are best for live use.
A condensor mix and a USB audio interface (rather than a soundcard that has to be installed in your computer) woudl be the best choice. What is your budget?
Click to expand...

Thanks much for the comeback, and please forgive my ignorance. Is this something like what you had in mind for a USB audio interface?
Amazon.com: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2 In/2 Out USB Recording Audio Interface: Musical Instruments
Regarding a condenser mic, since I'm unable to stand for any length of time due physical limitations, my playing is done sitting down, so I would prefer a mic that could be attached to the flute, but not necessarily inches from the mouthpiece. Possibly something like this: Amazon.com: Sennheiser e908B-ew Supercardioid Condenser for Wind Instruments: Musical Instruments or
Yamaha MC-7 B-Stock - Thomann UK or
the t.bone Ovid System CC 100 - Thomann UK used with the t.bone Ovid System Flute Clip - Thomann UK

Obviously my budget is not too extravagant...I could go to $200 or so for the audio interface, about the same for the mic, and a decent pair of headphones typically used for recording, which could be amplified with the audio interface, for around $200 as well. I could possibly go as high as $300 for each item, but that would be a squeeze. I'll go ahead and copy this into Newbies thread as you suggested. I much appreciate your time and advice...Kirby
 
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Also, I'm pretty good at jury rigging a mic to a flute if it's got a flexible neck about 6-12 inches long, so the mic wouldn't necessarily have to be specifically for the flute.
 
Looks like the post finally got moved. Others can comment better about a suitable mic for flute, but why not a mic that is attached to a mic stand, and hence canbe adjusted to whatever position (standing, sitting, laying on the floor!) needed?
The Scarlett has some good reviews, also look at the new Steinburg UC22 (I think that's the number).
 
mjbphotos said:
Looks like the post finally got moved. Others can comment better about a suitable mic for flute, but why not a mic that is attached to a mic stand, and hence canbe adjusted to whatever position (standing, sitting, laying on the floor!) needed?
The Scarlett has some good reviews, also look at the new Steinburg UC22 (I think that's the number).
Click to expand...

+1 and using a mic with a swivel neck stand would serve you the best (maybe even a pop filter). You can experiment with placement. Those mic stands can be had for $50-80 maybe cheaper.

The biggest issue you are going to face is the room sound. Flute will require very quiet place, room acoustics will play a big role as well.
 
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