Top 5 Best Microphones for Miking Clarinet and How to Mic a Clarinet?
In this article we will be looking at the best microphones for miking clarinet and how to mic a clarinet.
This is an in depth guide to learn about:
- Choosing the best microphones for miking clarinet
- How to mic a clarinet
- Key requirements for recording the clarinet
If you want to kick off your career as a clarinet player, this guide is for you.
Let’s dive right in.
Best Microphones For Miking Clarinet
When it comes to microphones for miking clarinet, what are the best options?
This is a question that many people have, and it’s not always an easy question to answer.
Infact clarinets are woodwind instruments with a long cylindrical pipe and a single reed in the mouthpiece.
It ranges from BB contrabass to B soprano. The B♭ soprano clarinet is the standard clarinet that is popular among orchestral musicians.
when it comes to recording the clarinet specially talking about soprano clarinet, we definitely need a best clarinet in addition to knowing the frequency and polar response of soprano clarinet.
When it comes to recording the clarinet specially talking about soprano clarinet, we definitely need a best clarinet in addition to knowing the frequency and polar response of soprano clarinet.
So best microphones for miking clarinet, here is my top 5 best microphones for miking a clarinet:
The Klark Teknik MK4 or Schoeps CMC 6 are two of the best mics for recording a clarinet. These mics work well for both voicing clarinet and recording in a band. The MK4 is slightly more expensive than the CMC 6 but has some additional features. The most important feature is that the MK4 is a true stereo microphone as opposed to the CMC 6 which is a unidirectional microphone.
The Klark Teknik MK4 is a dual-pattern microphone that sounds similar to the AKG 414 and AKG 414 D. This is because both the MK4 and the 414 feature a cardioid pattern, meaning that the microphone’s pickup pattern is narrow and points towards the center of the pickup area. The CMC 6 is a unidirectional microphone that is not as good for recording.
The Schoeps MK4/CMC 6 is a six-position condenser microphone that offers a very versatile frequency response and a very high sensitivity. It’s a condenser mic that features wide response from 40 Hz to 26kHz with a sensitivity range from -36.5 dB (V/Pa), 15 mV/Pa.
This frequency range is however above the range of human hearing. Although it records the full range of the soprano clarinet, it is an ideal choice.
Furthermore, the MK4’s sensitivity, the microphone is able to pick up subtle nuances in clarinet performances with pinpoint accuracy.
In addition to its frequency and sensitivity, its cardioid polar pattern also makes this mic a perfect choice for recording clarinets. This is because it rejects rear sound and is suitable to play in the presence of other orchestral instruments.
The Schoeps MK4/CMC 6 is a very good microphone for use on clarinet and saxophone. It is a six-position condenser microphone that offers a very versatile frequency response and a high sensitivity.
The DPA d:dicate 4011 is the most popular microphone for clarinet. It’s a dynamic microphone that has a good frequency response.
It’s also one of the most popular microphones for any woodwind instrument. Why? Because it’s a dynamic mic that’s easy to use and the sound is clear.
It’s also easy to record with, as it’s easy to set up and use. And it’s a very well-rounded mic that’s great for both recording and for spot-miking. I’ve been using this mic for years. It’s a great mic. DPA also has a similar mic called the d:dicate 4000. I’ve used this mic and it’s great too.
The graph below illustrates how a microphone can capture the sounds of the clarinet with its accurate frequency response at 0, 30, 60, and 90 degrees.
The polar response of the DPA microphone also makes it an excellent choice if you want to point it at clarinet with spot miking technique.
The DPA d:dicate 4011 is a great choice for the clarinet because of its wide dynamic range, which makes it ideal for any style of music. When I’m recording a clarinet, I know it’ll range from a soft whisper to a loud blast. The DPA d:dicate 4011 does a fantastic job of capturing all of that.
Another great choice for the clarinet is the SM58. It’s a great budget mic because of its incredible sound quality and ease of use.
Dynamic microphones are more directional mics because of having cardioid or hypercardioid pick up polar pattern to capture sound comes from front of the mic.
Shures frequency response ranges from 50 Hz to 15kHz, enabling them to record the full range of clarinets with flat frequency at a midpoint.
in order to reduce bass and gain optimum result, place mic at 1/4 in away fron sound source.
Graph below also shows that it could colored full range of clarinet with cardioid polar pattern
I’ve used the SM58 for many of my recordings and I had nothing but good things to say about it. The SM58 is a great choice for the clarinet because of its incredible sound.
The Sennheiser E 906 is a great choice for a clarinet mic. It produces a warm, rich sound that is great for any clarinetist. It is incredibly versatile and can be used to mike the clarinet anywhere from a full orchestra to a small jazz ensemble. This mic is a little pricey, but the quality is well worth it.
Frequency response and cardioid pick pattern ensured that it is optimized for kick drum and woodwind instrument.
The Sennheiser E 906 is a very popular miking choice for the clarinet. It is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid pattern. It is a single-diaphragm condenser microphone and is the most popular, versatile miking choice for clarinet.
The Sennheiser’s E 906 is often used for recording, live performance, and orchestral scoring. The E 906 is a favorite among clarinet players because it is extremely versatile. The E 906 is available in three polar pattern choices (cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8) for different purposes. The cardioid pattern is the default, and is the most common pattern for recording or live performance.
The omnidirectional pattern is for use when you are recording solo clarinet or any other instruments that don’t have a lot of contrast in their sound.
The Sennheiser E 901 is a perfect choice for a clarinet mic.
It produces a warm, rich sound that is great for any clarinetist.
Graph below shows that flatness of frequency response between 100 Hz to 5kHz could colored full range of clarinet and reduce bass response.
Half cardioid pick pattern make it ideal for coloring clarinet and kick drum instrument.
In addition, its thin diaghragm helps to reduce off-axis noise and bass response.
It is incredibly versatile and can be used to mike the clarinet anywhere from a full orchestra to a small jazz ensemble.
This mic is a little pricey, but the quality is well worth it.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Clarinet Microphone
When looking for an ideal microphone for clarinet, a few factors must be kept in mind.
The most important of these is frequency response; this should be flat or extended so that the sound of the clarinet is accurately captured and faithfully reproduces the nuances of the instrument.
Another key factor is price. Some mics are very expensive, making them out of reach for performers when shopping for recording clarinets.
In addition, clarity and dynamic range are key when miking orchestral instruments like the clarinet, as they require a wider range than other instruments.
Furthermore, the polar pattern should be appropriate to the miking technique used – either cardioid or omni-directional depending on how close or far away from the player you wish to place the microphone.
Finally, sensitivity is also important; it should be set correctly so that it doesn’t pick up too much background noise while still capturing all of the nuances of the clarinet.
By taking these factors into consideration, one can find an ideal clarinet microphone that will accurately and faithfully reproduce the sound of their instrument in any situation.
How To Mic A Clarinet
The clarinet is a woodwind instrument with a distinct sound that has been used to create orchestral and jazz music for centuries.
When miked up, the clarinet sound is unique and can be heard from three feet away. The microphone should be placed one foot away from the mouthpiece of the clarinetist, or slightly further away if desired. This should ve possible through spot miking technique.
Spot miking the clarinet to capture a clear and natural clarinet sound by placing a mic at a distance of 15 to 20 cm. For maximum results, use a Shure microphone which is a dynamic microphone that record most directional sound.
A clip-on mic works best for recording the sound of the clarinet as it captures the nuances in sound that emanates from playing this instrument. In comparison to its brass counterpart, the saxophone, which has a more brash sound, the clarinet produces a rounder, mellower tone that is perfect for studio recordings.
While each clarinets will have its own unique sound, they all share common attributes that make them recognizable when heard coming from an orchestra or band setting.
- First, pick a spot for the microphone. There are three main places to put the microphone on the clarinet. The first is just in front of the player, the second is in the middle, and the last is at the back of the clarinet.
- Once you have picked a spot, it’s best to set up the mic.
- The first step is to have the player play a test note in different positions. The player should play a C on a 1/4 note, an E on a 3/4 note, and finally, a C on a 2/4 note. The player should play the note at the same pitch as the note that is used to test the mic.
- You will notice that the sound is different depending on the position.
Below I am mentioning the few key requirements to consider for recording or miking a clarinet:
How to Position the Mic for Recording Clarinet
Positioning the microphone is an important factor in capturing the sound of a clarinet.
A condenser mic is generally used for this purpose as they are more sensitive than dynamic mics. Place the mic in front of the mouthpiece of the clarinet at a distance of about 12-18 inches to capture the full range of sounds that the instrument creates.
In addition to a small-diaphragm condenser mic, I also used a Shure SM58 mic directed at the bell of the instrument which was slightly off-axis.
However, dynamic mic is consider in terms of room acoustics and off-axis noise pickup, dynamic microphones are miles ahead of any other kind.
For orchestral instruments, you may want to consider using a pair of mics in a spaced pair configuration to capture all of the different sounds that are created by each musician. This will give you a better stereo image when recording and can be used to create a more realistic sound.
If you want an even fuller sound, try using a cardioid condenser or ribbon mic instead. Experiment with different placements and distances to find out what works best for your particular recording setup and instruments.
In a live situation, you want to position the mic approximately 10 inches away from the clarinet, but not directly in front of it. Instead, place the mic slightly off-axis so that you are not capturing too much key noise.
Aim to have the mic placed in the middle of the clarinet, with its tip facing slightly away from it. This ensures that you capture all of the nuances of your performance without any distractions from extraneous noise.
If possible, move around and experiment with different mic placements until you find one that works best for your sound. Remember to keep at least one foot away from the instrument when using a microphone for optimal recording quality.
With some experimentation, you should be able to capture all the nuances of sounds from orchestral instruments such as clarinets for your recordings.
Recording the Clarinet : Condenser vs Ribbon Mics
When it comes to recording the clarinet, two types of mics are often discussed: condenser and ribbon mics. Condenser microphone are known to highlight higher frequencies and produce a more detailed sound, which is better for capturing a clarinet’s bright tones. Ribbon mics on the other hand are known to capture a breathy tone and warmth that might be desired when recording a clarinet.
If you want to capture all the nuances of your clarinet performance, you’ll want to use both types of mics. A large diaphragm condenser mic can pick up bright details while a ribbon mic can add some warmth to the overall sound. When recording a clarinet with these two types of mics, you should experiment with different positions and distances from the instrument in order to achieve the best result.
Overall, when recording a clarinet it is important to consider both condenser and ribbon mics as each has their own unique qualities that can contribute to capturing an ideal sound. Experiment with different placements in order to find the best combination for capturing your performance on record – this will ensure that you get the most out of your recording session!
Miking Clarinet Technique for Live Situation
Miking clarinet in a live setting can be a challenging task, but with the right mic it is possible to capture the instrument’s full sound.
When miking a clarinet, position the mic close to the bell of the instrument. A small-diaphragm condenser is recommended for this type of application; Shure and Neumann are two popular brands that offer models suitable for miking clarinets.
The Neumann KM 184 is an especially good choice for live clarinet miking as it has an extended frequency response and a wide dynamic range. Placing the mic about a foot from the bell will give you a good sound balance between direct and ambient sound and help reduce any potential feedback issues.
If needed, additional mics can be used to pick up different sounds from different parts of the instrument, but generally one mic placed near the bell should suffice. With proper placement and selection of your microphone, you’ll be able to capture the perfect sound for your live clarinet performance!
How to Attach a Mic to a Clarinet?
Attaching a mic to a clarinet can be a tricky process, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be done easily.
To begin, you’ll need to choose a suitable mic that is designed for clarinets. Next, you’ll want to position the mic a few feet away from the bell of the clarinet, this will help pick up all of its nuances without any distortion. You should also consider placing the mic at an angle so that it captures sound from both sides of the instrument.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure that the mic is at least one foot away from the player’s mouth, as this will ensure that the instrument remains in focus and any background noise or feedback is minimized. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to successfully mic a clarinet and capture its unique sound!
Clarinet Sound: Where Does It Come From?
The clarinet is a unique woodwind instrument that produces an unmistakable sound. The sound of the clarinet comes from the recording of the reed vibrating against the mouthpiece when air is blown into it.
A mic is often used to capture this sound and record it, which gives us a better understanding of where the clarinet’s sound comes from. One possible way to get better result is to place the mic at a position so that sound emanates from the bell and holes of clarinet are captured clearly.
Clarinets are part of a family of woodwind instruments, along with flutes, saxophones and oboes. Each one has its own distinctive timbre and character, making them perfect for creating complex and interesting pieces of music. It’s important to understand where the clarinet’s sound comes from in order to appreciate its full potential.
By experimenting with different techniques, materials and mics, we can gain an even deeper insight into how these amazing woodwind instruments work.
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