Micing saxophones

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davidlim88

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Hi everyone,

would appreciate any advice on which mic (under $200) is best for micing saxes. also any tips on mic placement wld be very helpful.
 
I would probably try something like a Shure 57 or 58... about 3 ft. [a meter-ish] off the instrument... pointed at the lower keys from above the bell.

Move it around until the tone strikes you as pleasant... hit red.

Best of luck with it.
 
SM-57 (or other good dynamic) a foot or two off the bell and a condenser mic a couple of yards out and head-high, pointed at the body. Mix till sweet.

The sax radiates sound from the entire body of the instrument, not just the bell.
 
A Sennheiser MD421 and place it like Fletcher said above, and if you have a nice sounding room... try a LDC like a U87 in the room.
 
You don't say whether you record the saxophone only, or with a band.

And what sound are you after, a rock sound or a more natural jazz sound?

Fletcher knows his shit, a 57 will do the job, but you must keep distance or you will be in trouble and get not all notes properly.

For a more natural sound I would prefer an MXL V77 ($230) which is a nice tube mic.

Perhaps a SP B1 is also a good choice.

For a rock sound the 57 or indeed a MD421.
A MD441 is nicer, but rather expensive.

In case you record a band all at once, you'll have to close mic the sax (1.5-2') which means you'll have to use a mic with a nice off axis responce like the 421/441.
 
thanks everyone for the good advice.

just to clarify, I am not recording the entire band all at once, just tracking the sax individually. Also the tone I am looking for is more natural, warm and smooth rather than the edgy, aggressive rock sound. the saxes are mainly alto and sop which are already pretty bright by nature of the instruments themselves, not warm and lush like the tenor.

I have a couple of 57s but never realised that they would be suitable for this application. Will certainly try them out with your tips on placement as well.

I have actually tried an AKG C419 which is a hypercardioid mini clip-on condensor supposedly designed specifically for the sax. I found it overly bright and thin though but it could be my placement and EQ. unfortunately I did not have much chance to experiment with it in that instance. the advantage of a clip-on though was that the mic distance was more consistent because the player tends to move around alittle which might throw off the fixed mic positions. wonder if any of you had any experience with the clip-on - are they more suitable for live use rather than recording?
 
If you want an airy sound stick a 57 right in the bell. I like that sound for tenor anyway.

Beez
 
AKG C419 is good, but colors a little in mid-high... on my radio-site the girl from ipanema has the C419 for tenor and one for trumpet.

the hornplayers in my salsa band really dig the small Shure clip-ons ...[goes searching] .. the Beta98 that is. No feedback, even when laying on the monitors and great sound and dynamic range.

other than that the 57 will do fine.

BTW: I was learned: point to the bell for pop-sound, point to instrument for jazz-sound.


Herwig
 
On the page that comes up, click on Microphoe university, then Application Guide then saxophones

BTW , McGrooves, that is one handy little list! Thanks!
 
Herwig, I didn't know you played in a salsa band !!!???
So you know the tumbao and motunos eh? That would be nice on acoustic.mmmmmm

T

DeadPoet said:
AKG C419 is good, but colors a little in mid-high... on my radio-site the girl from ipanema has the C419 for tenor and one for trumpet.

the hornplayers in my salsa band really dig the small Shure clip-ons ...[goes searching] .. the Beta98 that is. No feedback, even when laying on the monitors and great sound and dynamic range.

other than that the 57 will do fine.

BTW: I was learned: point to the bell for pop-sound, point to instrument for jazz-sound.


Herwig
Click to expand...
 
davidlim88 said:
the saxes are mainly alto and sop which are already pretty bright by nature of the instruments themselves, not warm and lush like the tenor.
Click to expand...

If played right, an alto will sound warmer and lusher than what most tenorplayers get out of their instruments. :rolleyes: You CAN get a warm tone out of an alto. I know. I'm smart. (And also I have some friends that play my socks off. One of 'em graduated this year at brussels conservatory with 19/20 as his endresult. And he's off to Amsterdam to study another 3 years. :eek: )

Altough an altoplayer myself, I don't have that much experience recording it. Certainly not in a good room. I have the C419 for live use. But since most of my playing is classical or jazz, and I use the C419 in rockbands, I never had any trouble with it being brighter since my tone isn't all that bright...

Pink Floyds saxplayer likes the sound of the SM57 INSIDE the bell of his tenor. I tried it, it's pretty handy too, but you can't play any low notes...
And another rule is, if you want a more breathier sound, aim it into the bell. But this is more a livesound trick too. If you want a classical or jazz kinda sound, catch the room... Hear the entire instrument resonate... And the room. Lovely...
 
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