Recording solo flute

mahler007 · 9th January 2008

Hi Slutz,
I have a friend coming over today, and I'm supposed to help her record some solo flute bits. Rather than recording a piece, we just want to record some flute noises and effects that will later get processed and used in an electro-acoustic piece.

Along these lines, I'm hoping that some of you may be able to offer some advice on the best way to record the flute- specifically these questions:

1. Mono or stereo?
2. If stereo, M/S or XY
3. Mic placement in either case

For mics, I have an AT4050, a Royer R-121, and two Neumann KM 184s. For pres I have an ISA 428 and a Summit 2ba-221.

I'm thinking a mono track with the 4050 into the Focusrite is probably the way to go, but if anybody has any other experiences they're willing to share, I am of course interested. In a perfect world, I would take more time to try different things, but there's a bit of a crunch on this one and I would like to get it done quickly and effectively...

Thanks for your help!

Best,
Andrew

jumpnyc · 9th January 2008

I just did a flute session with the 121 placed a foot above the flute through an AEA ribbon mic pre. Spectacular. The ribbon tames the highend harshness so beautifully. YMMV

CT1 · 9th January 2008

Hey there,

I just did my first flute session the other day and while we don't have a royer (or any ribbon for that matter) I tried a few different mics one being the 4050 and I would advise against using it. Made the flute way to harsh. Ended up going with an older U-87 and the client was happy but I really wish I had a ribbon. I would say go with the royer. Hope that helps a little.

deve · 9th January 2008

If you decide stereo, I suggest XY for mono compatibility. If you go with a condenser, I would go a little of axis and not closer than 3 foot to tame the hi end harshness.

dbbubba · 9th January 2008

Any of those mics will do.

There isn't anything stereo going on with a flute (it's a small instrument.)

You don't want any room really.
I'd have her sitting on carpet, too.

Just position the mic above the flute, but far enough to get the whole instrument's sound.
No EQ needed.

If you were to use the KM-184, I would be careful that it IS NOT pointing at the sound hole where she is blowing.
You probably won't use that mic, but you could.
I have a really old N.O.S. KM-84 that I have used on solo flute that was going into a mix and it was fine.
In my case it was generally a solo instrument in the mix.
My mic of choice was a SoundDelux U95 once I had it.
I would have used a LDC, but the pristine KM-84 was so good on solo stringed intsruments that I tried it on a lot of other stuff.

mahler007 · 9th January 2008

Thanks for the posts, y'all. I will definitely give the Royer a shot...

Cheers,
Andrew

Jim Williams · 9th January 2008

Ping Gearslut member Marco Granados, known around here as "Sunflute".

He's the man.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Dyer Maker · 9th January 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahler007

I'm thinking a mono track with the 4050 into the Focusrite is probably the way to go,

THis is a good idea. If the stuff is on the aggressive side I would also consider the Royer.

9th January 2008	#1
mahler007 Gear maniac Joined: May 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 283 Thread Starter	Recording solo flute Hi Slutz, I have a friend coming over today, and I'm supposed to help her record some solo flute bits. Rather than recording a piece, we just want to record some flute noises and effects that will later get processed and used in an electro-acoustic piece. Along these lines, I'm hoping that some of you may be able to offer some advice on the best way to record the flute- specifically these questions: 1. Mono or stereo? 2. If stereo, M/S or XY 3. Mic placement in either case For mics, I have an AT4050, a Royer R-121, and two Neumann KM 184s. For pres I have an ISA 428 and a Summit 2ba-221. I'm thinking a mono track with the 4050 into the Focusrite is probably the way to go, but if anybody has any other experiences they're willing to share, I am of course interested. In a perfect world, I would take more time to try different things, but there's a bit of a crunch on this one and I would like to get it done quickly and effectively... Thanks for your help! Best, Andrew __________________ Andrew McKenna Lee Composer/Guitarist www.andrewmckennalee.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
More comparative samples - fathead, at4051, km184s - flute solo	jnorman	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	31	7th October 2009 12:31 AM
Solo flute in the studio - stereo vs mono, close vs distant?	jnorman	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	5	9th May 2009 09:44 PM
Recording a Flute	BigJunk	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	3	16th March 2007 08:25 PM
recording irish flute	wbajzek	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	14	14th December 2006 11:08 AM
solo flute?	hollywood_steve	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	3	17th July 2003 05:35 PM

9th January 2008	#2
jumpnyc Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 876	I just did a flute session with the 121 placed a foot above the flute through an AEA ribbon mic pre. Spectacular. The ribbon tames the highend harshness so beautifully. YMMV

9th January 2008	#3
CT1 Gear nut Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 85	Hey there, I just did my first flute session the other day and while we don't have a royer (or any ribbon for that matter) I tried a few different mics one being the 4050 and I would advise against using it. Made the flute way to harsh. Ended up going with an older U-87 and the client was happy but I really wish I had a ribbon. I would say go with the royer. Hope that helps a little.

9th January 2008	#4
deve Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: istanbul TR Posts: 766	If you decide stereo, I suggest XY for mono compatibility. If you go with a condenser, I would go a little of axis and not closer than 3 foot to tame the hi end harshness.

9th January 2008	#5
dbbubba Banned Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 7,099	Any of those mics will do. There isn't anything stereo going on with a flute (it's a small instrument.) You don't want any room really. I'd have her sitting on carpet, too. Just position the mic above the flute, but far enough to get the whole instrument's sound. No EQ needed. If you were to use the KM-184, I would be careful that it IS NOT pointing at the sound hole where she is blowing. You probably won't use that mic, but you could. I have a really old N.O.S. KM-84 that I have used on solo flute that was going into a mix and it was fine. In my case it was generally a solo instrument in the mix. My mic of choice was a SoundDelux U95 once I had it. I would have used a LDC, but the pristine KM-84 was so good on solo stringed intsruments that I tried it on a lot of other stuff.

9th January 2008	#7
Jim Williams Voiding warranties Joined: Feb 2004 Location: beautiful Carlsbad, CA Posts: 10,070	Ping Gearslut member Marco Granados, known around here as "Sunflute". He's the man. Jim Williams Audio Upgrades