microphones for flute

alex411 · Post by **alex411** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 6:23 pm

Ok, so excuse any grammar problems im using a tablet and im not use to typing on it. But anyway i currently do skype lessons since i live louisiana and my teacher is in the north east. Right now i have just been using the built in microphone and webcam on my laptop but im looking for something thats alot better quality As far as sound quality goes because right now my teacher can understand what im playing, comment on dynamics and little things but cant really help with my tone and help me get a more maturetone because my current microphone is not clear enough. So i was windering if anyone had any recomendations on microphones/webcams on the cheaper side. My teacher uses a $200 logitech but thats out of my price range right now:( so if anyones does online lessons or youtube videos etc. What do you use?

Mandera3 · Post by **Mandera3** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 5:49 pm

I don't know of any mics, but I am also looking for one, so I am just commenting so that I stay connected with this thread.

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:35 pm

Since you want to use the mic with your PC, you could consider a USB mic. I've read some good reviews of the Blue Snowball. It's promoted as a high quality mic and the price is not too bad.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones- ... B000EOPQ7E

Do a Google search for more reviews of it.

ShadowPlay · Post by **ShadowPlay** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 5:09 am

I can throw in an extra vote for the snowball; if you do get one you'll want to use it on the second setting (-10dB of attenuation) to avoid clipping.

Great product, built well and decent EQ (great for the price)

nevil · Post by **nevil** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 3:49 am

I have recorded this piece with the Samson c01U USB mike. I have used a C# flute, and by playing closer (chorus) -and -away (intro and end parts) from the microphone - and slightly varying the blowing, I have been able to get the two different tones from the same flute on this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z7epedThlw

For comparisson, this song was recorded was recorded on a G flute, but with the computer microphone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8As_r8slls

Hope this helps.

Nevil

flutego12 · Post by **flutego12** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:11 am

I was on this journey myself this time last year - wanting to record my practice sessions for feedback and improvement.

I was advised many things, websearches and the local music store (a beefy one) recommended the ideal mic as a pair of ribbons which I'm told is ideal for flutes BUT FOR THE PRICE. They were too expensive and I couldn't justify it for the purpose I wanted them for.

The store pro got me to look at the Zooms - the H4N which is a "world class recording studio" in a hand held device (if I were a savvier user I'd get them) - has a pair of very remarkable XY mics and a pair of XLR inputs for adding two more channels with phantom power. Great for ensemble recording. But I found it chunky and too complicated to use though many avid users sing it's praise for its features. Then enter the H2N to complicate the decision making. Much cheaper with sensurround 5mics built in - impressive results but plasticky.

Mac users may not find the software 100% compatible though useable, but if you have an iMac, a simple no added expense solution is to simply use Apple's PhotoBooth video feature. However, my recordings have not been very flattering (perhaps due to still developing skills) - so... I got an Apogee One to see if it is any better. Second hand Apogee's available online or off ebay.

jefkearns · Post by **jefkearns** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:31 pm

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evrmre · Post by **evrmre** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:42 pm

looks like a neumann u87 from above (very nice mic, if so), and a shure sm58 from the front. The front one isn't a condenser mic, at a glance, and is likely only there to give a little more attack if needed. the neumann is the one carrying most of the sound, and is a much better mic.

Would be interested in if it is those two mics, by the way... A neumann would sound incredible by itself, so wondering how the other one helped/ changed the sound (if in fact it was actually used in the mix... old engineers trick.)

jefkearns · Post by **jefkearns** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:08 pm

Thanks for the response.

It was definitely used. I will ask the producer how he mixed it and what each does.

Take a listen here if you want https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mb9-I0gkEA

jefkearns · Post by **jefkearns** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 2:23 pm

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evrmre · Post by **evrmre** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:18 am

Nice. I love hearing something different like this (I'm currently playing around with dubstep). Was definitely worth the listen.

Good sound for the style, as well. Thumbs up to the engineer and/or producer

. I'll have to check out the apex mic, as it's not one I know. I'm running with a mix of an audix om2, and a c1000, but haven't been happy with the results so far. Might try a beyer m88, since the 58 seems to have worked so well for you, and something similar to the apex for the bottom of the flute. Time to raid my works mic cupboard

jefkearns · Post by **jefkearns** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:25 pm

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nevil · Post by **nevil** » Fri May 17, 2013 5:16 pm

I guess this post is running out of steam... so I thought I would post my latest venture with the Samsun C01U USB mic (again its the same Bansuri C# flute, I had used in the previous video). However, this time, I just played it the way I normally play, and not try to create any artificial sweetness... the song for that reason was a good choice as well (Its a Heartache by Bonnie Tyler), and here is the result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehDfbktwgRY

jefkearns · Post by **jefkearns** » Fri May 17, 2013 11:43 pm

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nevil · Post by **nevil** » Sat May 18, 2013 6:11 am

Thanks very much, and thanks once again to everyone for all the suggestions.

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