What mic for sax stage use?

[baekgaard]

I'm going to run the sound board for a live concert featuring a sax player that I don't know. I'm pretty comfortable with the rest of the band and setup, but wonder what the "best" mic would be for the (tenor, I think) sax player.

For live use, most of the mics we normally use are AKG D880 and D3800 or Shure SM58. For recording usage, I personally have also a SP C1 and a B1, a Røde NT1000 and a bunch of Oktava MC012, plus some others, incl. omni's that I assume are not useful for live usage. I can easily borrow an AKG C1000 as well, and possibly also other mics.

Would any of these mics work for the sax? I expect the Oktava mics are not so nice for live usage due to the high handling sensitivity, but otherwise I might have been tempted to test one of those out.

The amount of pre-flight "sound check time" we have is a bit limited with the sax player, so I would like to avoid experimenting too much.

Any and all hints appreciated,


-- Per.

 

[boingoman]

I'm going to run the sound board for a live concert featuring a sax player that I don't know. I'm pretty comfortable with the rest of the band and setup, but wonder what the "best" mic would be for the (tenor, I think) sax player.

For live use, most of the mics we normally use are AKG D880 and D3800 or Shure SM58. For recording usage, I personally have also a SP C1 and a B1, a Røde NT1000 and a bunch of Oktava MC012, plus some others, incl. omni's that I assume are not useful for live usage. I can easily borrow an AKG C1000 as well, and possibly also other mics.

Would any of these mics work for the sax? I expect the Oktava mics are not so nice for live usage due to the high handling sensitivity, but otherwise I might have been tempted to test one of those out.

The amount of pre-flight "sound check time" we have is a bit limited with the sax player, so I would like to avoid experimenting too much.

Any and all hints appreciated,


-- Per.

If it's a loud band with no decent soundcheck, I'd stick with a dynamic of some kind, myself. The problem with a lot of cardioid condensers is that when they are on stage and oriented like they would be for a sax player, they become "everything" mics. Your sax mic turns into a sax/vocal/snare/guitar mic. Combine that with the tendency of horn players to drift on and off the mic, and it can get pretty bad sounding.
If it's a mellow jazz trio with bass, drums, piano, and sax sitting in, I'd feel more comfortable experimenting.
The effect of an open dynamic mic onstage is a lot more predictable than a mic you haven't used live before. Also much easier to deal with in the monitors.

 

[TimOBrien]

Yup, dynamic.

MD421 or EVRE-20.

(I use an MD421 myself...)

 

[audioholic]

I second both of those mics

 

[darrin_h2000]

Ive used an at pro 25 with a clip mount with good results. Much cheaper than those other mics.

 

[Big Kenny]

EV RE20
Senn 421

 

[xstatic]

I would go with a sennheiser 421 or some sort of tom mic.

 

[wilkee]

I know its not widely appreciated around here but I use a Rode NT3 for both Sax & Trombone. It captures the rasp perfectly and to me sounds way better than any of the cheaper dynamics SM57 etc.

Tony

 

[baekgaard]

Thanks!

Thanks for all the quick replies and responses, much appreciated!

At least I now have a good starting point,


-- Per.

 

[mrface2112]

just about every band i've ever worked with (or seen) that's had a sax player has used an RE20. some folks (LeRoi Moore of the DMB comes to mind) have used clip-on mics for their saxes and they've worked well too. i've used my RE38 (similar to an RE20) on sax before and it's done a fine job.

so yeah, i'd recommend an RE20. and i'd definitely not recommend an LDC for stage/live use--too much feedback potential in a loud monitoring situation.


cheers,
wade

 

[Cuzme]

In accordance with previous posts, but coming from a saxophonist, I love the EVRE 20 and the Sennheiser 421 - in no particular order (depends on the space).

I did play a small festival last year where they gave me an Octava MC012 and I was pretty surprised at how much I liked it...warmer (caught more low mids) and larger sounding than I expected the mic to be.

 

[cavedog101]

EV RE20...Senn.MD421....excellent!

 

[Tonio]

ev408, or the new one 468?