Best mic choice for sax

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RandyW

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I've been checking specialized mics for recording a soprano sax.
I went to a couple of sites and they are not cheap, I just wonder if anyone has used anything like one of these:

http://www.appliedmic.com/details.asp?ID=9

I would like to use it for live and recording both. I've used condensors and the sm57s which both sound pretty good. But something like the one listed above looks like it would give a real balanced sound for the whole sax scale and also be a little easer to keep the same consistant sound for playing live.

Just wondering what is works best for you?

LT Bob are you out there?
 
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Kenny uses an AKG 414 from what I understand.

The soprano is usually mic'ed with 2 mics, one out in front of the bell and another pointed toward the middle of the instrument (saxes radiate sound from the ENTIRE instrument and you can run into honky problems if you only pick up the bell sound...)

For my tenor I use a dynamic MD421 a foot up and out from the bell and a LDCondenser head high and six feet back pointed toward the center of the instrument, then mix the two till sweet.

You will need to experiment with mic position on EVERY different sax player, too. Lots of variation in tone from player to player....
 
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Soprano sax, extra brite instrument.......MD421 extra brite mic?

Maybe an RE20 would be smoother? SM7? PR40?
 
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I've had nice results with an AEA R84.

I would not try to use two mics.
 
While I don't have the AEA (envy), I have used other ribbons with success. Beyer 500 and a couple of those chinese things we got are surprisingly nice sounding.
 
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For recording -- First choice -- AEA R84. Second choice RE-20.

Playing out -- RE-20.
 
I'm not in the habit of sticking my ear next to the bell when I listen to a sax, and I don't record them that way. I mainly record tenor sax. I use a flat, true omni (RE-55) about 18-24 inches out from the middle of the instrument, and I use the Studio Traps around the mike, just like for everything else. It sounds pretty much just like the instrument does, which isn't too bad. Probably when I can try out the SM-80 I will get a slightly cleaner top end sound than the RE-55.

Cheers,

Otto
 
I have had good experiences with shure ksm32 on Sax in general. mostly alto and baritone though. give it a try they are usually cheap to rent.


Randy
 
I can't believe nobody has mentioned the Beyerdynamic M160 hypercardioid ribbon. Perfect mic for this situation! The great sound of a ribbon in a tight patterned and small package.

War
 
SM58 is fine for sop. sax.

I used to work with a big band, and the SM58 was a good choice, live, actually - its response matched the instrument pretty well.

If your budget goes higher, Beyer M88 is also fine, and a Rode NTK works OK for studio. Branford Marsalis used a Sennheiser MD441 on the Sting tour years back.
 
for live?, oh!!!!!! senn 421, come to think of, records pretty good too.
 
Those AMT mics are great for live work. I'd probably use a different setup for recording, and some of the mics others have mentioned could do the double duty easier.
 
i've only mic'ed a sax with a U87...but for live work, i think i would go with the suggestion of the 421, or some other fairly "beefy" dynamic mic
 
The Senn 421 looks pretty tempting, looks like it would be good for horns, cabinets and drums also. I haven't spent much more that 300 for any of my
mics so this one looks good price wise. I like the Beyer M88 also but I think
I'll pickup a Sm58 and try that first if I don't like it should work for live vocals.
I'm kinda suprised to hear this mic being recommended I bought the SM57 because it was recommended for woodwinds. I want something much smoother
I really don't like the sound of sopran saxs very much I'd take a tenor or alto any day.
 
Well if you didn't like the SM57 your not gonna like the SM58, they are the same mic capsule just different windscreens, there is not enough difference between the two to even bother trying.
 
personally, it seems to me that the 57/58 would have too much of a midrange bump for sax...i'd definitely look for something smoother/flatter
 
Either a Beyer ribbon or a Beyer M201 would be my choices.

But any ribbon mic should do.
 
bigwillz24 said:
Either a Beyer ribbon or a Beyer M201 would be my choices.

But any ribbon mic should do.
Click to expand...

A sennheiser MD441 wouldn't be too bad either. Or a neutral sounding LDC.
 
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