Micing a native American flute??

[Signal 9 Studio]

I have a few set way that I think that I will aproach this flute but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

I have a 20*24*10 room(plus seperate control room)
One large Diaphram Mic
plenty of 57's
a couple of overheads.
Vegas Pro
Lots o plugins


I've mainly recorded rock and punk bands and this is gonna be a nice challenge.
I know thats not much to go on. If it were you in your studio what would you do?

 

[ez_willis]

If it were you in your studio what would you do?

Take that flute and smash it up. I hate them sissy-ass fuckers. And yeah, that includes that hobbit from Jethro Tull hopping around like he's having a fucking seizure.

Get him drunk and make him do a rain dance to see if that shit really works.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

I recorded an album of native American flute music and it was a challenge.

Different flutes and the requirements for the songs posed the biggest problem. In some pieces, it was necessary for religious purposes to record the 10 to 12 minute pieces in their entirety, and she had to face in each of the cardinal compass directions during the piece as she played. My first thought was an overhead mic, but none of the mics in my locker were able to pickup the delicacy of the wooden flutes without excessive breath noises or other problems.

After running through about 10 different mics, in desperation, I tried the Audio Technica AT831b, a very small clip-on condenser mic, pinned to her blouse. It worked perfectly. Placing it slightly below the mic, it picked up the wonderful wood tone without all the breath noises.

 

[Signal 9 Studio]

Harvey,
I don't believe he will be moving. I do know what you mean about the breath noises. I've been a little worried about that. I listened closely and found that the sound seems to come from two different chambers in the flute. Highs and lows. I might try a room mic(large diaphram) and a close mic(nady instrument mic). Unfortunately, I do not have clip ons but it sounds like a great idea.


E Z Willis,
Thanks for your wonderful insight. You must be considered a prophet here.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

A small diaphragm condenser mic might be your best choice. Mic from above the flute (about 18" above and 1/2 way out) for a "breathy" sound; mic it from below ((about 8" below and 1/4 out) to capture the "woody" sound.

 

[BigRay]

Use the LD(in card if your room sucks, omni if good) about 15-20' above and the Dynamic about 12 " below..mix the dynamic in about 12db down from the LD mic...in other words, just enough so that you will barely notice when it is gone.I like mixing sounds.

 

[ez_willis]

E Z Willis,
Thanks for your wonderful insight. You must be considered a prophet here.

It's not limited to here, my son.

 

[beezelbubba]

Take that flute and smash it up. I hate them sissy-ass fuckers. And yeah, that includes that hobbit from Jethro Tull hopping around like he's having a fucking seizure.

Get him drunk and make him do a rain dance to see if that shit really works.

I dig Ian Anderson,but that post made me actually LOL!