Anyone have experience recording saxophones?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TFunkadelic
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I've had great results on tenor with an EV RE20 it gives a nice warm sound compared to some of the condensors I've used. The MD421 would probably be fine I just haven't used it for that. I can't comment on the alto becasue I've had the luxury of using a TLM103 on that, but it just doesn't sound as nice on tennor. Maybe its that the tenor sounds better with less detail. Anyway you can find the RE20 for about 400 dollars, plus its agreat dynamic all together.(vocals, kick, etc.)
 
Han said:
The MD421 is a great microphone, but not the best for recording saxophone, the MD441 is simply better for that application.

Why not ask Bruce Swedien in person what he prefers for saxophone? You can find Bruce at Harmony central, at Craig Anderton's board.
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And while you're at it, ask him where he can get a 441 for under $400.

Come on people, there are a dozen mics that are as good or better than the 421. I know that, you know that, we all know that. Depending on the sound I'm looking for, I'd even be tempted to try a C414 over the Sennheisers. While I've not tried it for sax myself, I've also heard that even an EV RE20 is nice for sax and at a street price of $399 it just barely comes in at the top of TFunk's budget.

But at the stated budget, not $3000, not $2000, not $800, not even $400 for the EV, you won't find a more oft-used microphone for saxophone live and in the studio than the 421. Would it be Bruce Swedien's first choice? Most likely not. Is it on his short list of sax mics and has he and many other top shelf engineers used them for sax in pro studio situations? From what I have read in the past, yes and yes.

What's so hard to believe or understand about all that? I thought this kind of bullshit posturing and flack over microphone discussions was reserved for the Microphones forum, people.

G.
 
I could maybe stretch the budget up to $500, but if possible I don't really want to spend more than 400. I'm just getting started out, and at the moment all I have is a pair of MXL 603's and a $40 Shure dynamic mic, so I'd imagine anything will be a step up from me. I also am expecting to recieve my Tascam FW-1884 friday or early next week and I'll bet that will be quite a step up from using the fairly pathetic DJ mixer I've been using as a mic preamp.

Knowing that the 421 would be significantly less airy than a comporably priced condenser mic is a bit of a turn off. However, considering the return policy of Musicians Friend I believe I'll order both the 421 along with something like the Blue Bluebird (does anyone have anything to say about that or comporably priced mics?) and then send back whichever.
 
TFunkadelic said:
I could maybe stretch the budget up to $500, but if possible I don't really want to spend more than 400. I'm just getting started out, and at the moment all I have is a pair of MXL 603's and a $40 Shure dynamic mic, so I'd imagine anything will be a step up from me. I also am expecting to recieve my Tascam FW-1884 friday or early next week and I'll bet that will be quite a step up from using the fairly pathetic DJ mixer I've been using as a mic preamp.

Knowing that the 421 would be significantly less airy than a comporably priced condenser mic is a bit of a turn off. However, considering the return policy of Musicians Friend I believe I'll order both the 421 along with something like the Blue Bluebird (does anyone have anything to say about that or comporably priced mics?) and then send back whichever.
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I'd try a AT4040, or KSM27 condensor before the Blue bird and and definitly an RE20 over the 421 (although a great mic) on sax. I belive you will be pleased with the 421 or Blue bird but both (especially the blue bird) have better aplications than sax and there are other mics in a close range that will sound slightly better than them. Another mic I might look into is the sm7, that little thing keeps surpising me, come to think of it i might go try that.
 
Thanks for the suggestions Juggernaut. I like the looks of the AT4040 and KSM27. The RE20 looks nice, but it's a bit spendy for me for now. Next summer when I begin the serious construction on my home studio I'll start looking more seriously at spending serious money on microphones. Between the AT4040 and KSM27 which would you prefer? Or I suppose a better question is, what sound characteristics are specific to them?
 
of course 421's are used but not as commonly as people think. come hither my friends, come with me to a professional mic locker. . . you have access to rca's, royers, coles, neumann, microtech-gefell, etc. and you reach for the 421? Puh-lease! Of course if you are looking for the sound of the 421 then go for it, sheesh. . . .i've used it on sax, i've used plenty of others on sax, it's not the primary, go to mic, simple as that. Also keep in mind when Brucey uses it, he's also using top quality preamps, kick ass rooms, nice tape decks, mixing it on a excellent console, etc. don't fool yourself kiddies. Shit sometimes I use 421's on toms when I want that "sound" but it is never the first, primary, goto choice. Again my 421 will most likely hit a neve preamp, probably a tube-tech compressor, and 2" tape at +6 and mixed down on my ?. Oh my drum room sounds fan-freaking tastic too. let's put it in context people.
 
Before you start in with your "kiddies" speak and down talk in general, go back and take a gander at what's been said over and over again throughout this thread.

No one is disputing the fact that the 421 is inferior to a royer, coles, neuman, microtech-gefell, etc. They have, however, said that none of these mics can be had at a price comporable to a 421, which is true, so I don't see what you're arguing. If this were a car forum and I came in asking for a car in the $15,000 range would you reccomend a Ferrari?
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
And while you're at it, ask him where he can get a 441 for under $400.

Come on people, there are a dozen mics that are as good or better than the 421. I know that, you know that, we all know that. Depending on the sound I'm looking for, I'd even be tempted to try a C414 over the Sennheisers. While I've not tried it for sax myself, I've also heard that even an EV RE20 is nice for sax and at a street price of $399 it just barely comes in at the top of TFunk's budget.

But at the stated budget, not $3000, not $2000, not $800, not even $400 for the EV, you won't find a more oft-used microphone for saxophone live and in the studio than the 421. Would it be Bruce Swedien's first choice? Most likely not. Is it on his short list of sax mics and has he and many other top shelf engineers used them for sax in pro studio situations? From what I have read in the past, yes and yes.

What's so hard to believe or understand about all that? I thought this kind of bullshit posturing and flack over microphone discussions was reserved for the Microphones forum, people.

G.
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A Sennheiser MD441 is regularly offered for someting between €150-225

http://www.marktplaats.nl/markt/muz...eiser&filter_rubriek=microfoons&oudei=30&js=1

I've bought my two 441's for some $200 each and the mics are in great condition.

BTW, Bruce Swedien is very fond of his U47's, but Bruce doesn't just stick a microphone in front of a saxophone, he's doing a lot more than just that, go ask him, he's a very nice guy willing to share his knowledge with anybody.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=12774865#post12774865
 
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