Miking a flute?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RezN8
  • Start date Start date
RezN8

RezN8

Blick-um, blick-um...
Hey crew- just found out I've got a session tonight where the client would like to record a live flute player.

What's a good type of microphone to use for a flute? Where should I place the microphone?

many thanks, Rez
 
A ribbon or a SDC. Above the flute, 2' to 3' away. The sound radiates from the entire flute, but if the client wants a real breathy tone, also consider adding a SDC with a windscreen, 1' or less from the mouthpiece.
 
just be different, try a 414 about six " out and slightly above. I've ssen that in a live scenario in a studio. But if done by itself, I have used the 414 about 1' out and above.
 
Tonio said:
just be different, try a 414 about six " out and slightly above. I've ssen that in a live scenario in a studio. But if done by itself, I have used the 414 about 1' out and above.
Click to expand...

Six inches, or feet? :confused: Absolutely if you have a good sounding room, try farther away! :)
 
Thanks guys, I'll try both -- Peluso CEMC6 for the SDC and a 22 251 (kinda like a tube version of a 414). What polar pattern do you think - figure 8?

I'm sure it really depends on what the song calls for, so I guess I might as well record three mics to seperate tracks at the same time and just use what I need during mix down.

As for the room -- I'm using Real Traps. (BTW- WOW!!!) I can't stress enough what a HUGE difference that makes. I've got a few on stands that I use as gobos and they really are fantastic.

Cheers, and thanks again! -Rez
 
yeah, stick up both up and check out what you're getting. Tune specific so go with the tune. I'd start with cardioid 1st. Does the 22 251 have omni?
 
Tonio said:
yeah, stick up both up and check out what you're getting. Tune specific so go with the tune. I'd start with cardioid 1st. Does the 22 251 have omni?
Click to expand...

Yeah, the 22 251 has Omni (and nine other patterns) but I wasn't sure Omni would be the way to go for a flute. I guess I'll just turn the dial 'til it sounds good. ;)

Tonight's session is with a new client - he's a keyboard player/arranger so my guess is the mix will be rather busy... (heavy on the sequencing). I'm assuming I'll need that live flute to cut through a dense mix.
 
I built some of my own..2" thick...but it seems like they make things sound muddy...that's why I ask. good luck with the session. should be fun!
 
FALKEN said:
I built some of my own..2" thick...but it seems like they make things sound muddy...that's why I ask. good luck with the session. should be fun!
Click to expand...

Thanks. I was going to build my own as well, but I ended up going with the Real Traps. They almost seem like they are "tuned" to tame the bass freqs in the room. Does that make sense?

It's also important "where" you put them in the room.

Anyway- I'll let you guys know how it goes tonight. Cheers, Rez
 
Much could depend upon the quality of the instrument itself. I thought I knew how flutes sounded until someone walked in with a true concert grade instrument, absolutely in a different league..........LDC tube mic in cardoid about 12 - 18" out and 45 deg above the horizontal and aimed approx., 6" along the flute from the mouth.

:cool:
 
Just remember, the closer the mic, the louder the breathing, you can gate it if the flute is solo though, my mistake was doing a guitar and flute together. Sounded great, but the breaths have to stay.
 
Here's a song with flute I recorded a few weeks ago:



I used a Shure SM33 about 12 inches off. Our flautist knew where to position himself relative to the mic - in the middle of its length.
 
Have you guys noticed that some flutist and/or the flute being used, the higher register, is alot louder? I compensated for this with angling toward the mouth piece, from about 2/3 closer to the mouth piece and above. When I got toward the center, I started loosing the lower register. It all worked out in the end.
Is this more of an instrument or musician problem? Or is it similar to a bassist that cannot control the loudness of the different strings/ register?
 
Tonio said:
Have you guys noticed that some flutist and/or the flute being used, the higher register, is alot louder? I compensated for this with angling toward the mouth piece, from about 2/3 closer to the mouth piece and above. When I got toward the center, I started loosing the lower register. It all worked out in the end.
Is this more of an instrument or musician problem? Or is it similar to a bassist that cannot control the loudness of the different strings/ register?
Click to expand...

A flutist overblows to get the higher register, but they should be able to compensate for that.
 
Results

Ok- recorded the flautist last night. Best results from one SDC aimed directly between the mouthpiece and the pads, about 6"-8" away, diagonally, slightly above.

The microphone was a Peluso CEMC6. I tried several others, all sounded good, but the CEMC6 seemed to capture "ALL" the right stuff for this particular track.

The client was floored and the flautist was amazed too. She said she never sounded so good.

The client remarked later that he has spent a fortune on recording in the past at pro studios, but nothing compares to what I've been doing for him. :cool:

So thanks to all of you for your help. Cheers, Rez
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top