best mic type for sax?

[nigeldaddy]

i'm going to be recording a sax for the first time. i have dynamics, large diaphragm condensers, small diaphragm condensers, and a ribbon mic. GENERALLY speaking, which type is the go-to for this kind of application? ideally i'd experiment with all of them, but i have a very small window to get this done time-wise, so here i am asking you guys.

[nigel saunders]

Originally Posted by nigeldaddy

i'm going to be recording a sax for the first time. i have dynamics, large diaphragm condensers, small diaphragm condensers, and a ribbon mic. GENERALLY speaking, which type is the go-to for this kind of application? ideally i'd experiment with all of them, but i have a very small window to get this done time-wise, so here i am asking you guys.

start with the ribbon

[BLUElightCory]

LOVE ribbons on sax. My favorite is the Royer R121, and I've used the R122 and Beyer M160 with great results as well.

A good dynamic such as the Sennheiser MD421 or the Shure SM7 will work as well.

[laperlestudio]

ribbon or re20

[Suda Badri]

Electrovoice... or a really dark ribbon, ala AEA... the best I ever heard was a omni DPA at about 3 feet away going through a Nagra VI...

[bongo]

Large diaphragm condenser pointed in between the bell and the neck. I'm assuming it's not a soprano, that's a whole different ball game.

I've recorded a lot of sax players.

A lot!


Too many?

[coyotekells]

I haven't recorded sax yet either, and soon will...

My only (highend) LDC is Manley Ref C. I wonder if that will work out okay? I will try either way (along with a ribbon option).. but am really curious your thoughts/experience on the Manley for sax?

[Aaron Miller]

I liked the R121 last time I recorded sax. Chose it over a 57, U47 clone, and SM7B. Not big field to choose from but the 121 did just sound right, right off the bat.

[tptman]

Of course, the answer is "it depends"

My go to mics for saxes:

U67 for alto & tenor
RE20 for Bari

I have rarely chosen ribbons over LDCs for sax, but I'm usually recording guys that are going for a fairly bright, big sound, like in a big band or a salsa/merengue band. The times I've used ribbons, we were going for a more subtone (sax term), kind of an airier, smokier sound, like a tenor jazz solo on a ballad. So I was basically matching the quality of the mic with the type of sound we were going for.

[7Hz]

Here are the JZ BH1 stereo on sax. Recorded by Rafa Sardina.

[7Hz]

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/5478501-post6.html

[yahman1254]

I must admit that when I read the title to this thread I read "best mic type for sex"

[valver]

For strait ahead rock & roll,
I REALLY like an SM7 with a hint of slapback come mix time

Originally Posted by yahman1254

I must admit that when I read the title to this thread I read "best mic type for sex"

Again, I'd have to go SM7 with the windscreen ON ...
let's all practice safe sax !

[Peter Z]

Originally Posted by yahman1254

I must admit that when I read the title to this thread I read "best mic type for sex"

RE20

[themaidsroom]

for me
it would be a coles 4038.

[Synæsthesiac]

My friend (who is a musical genius but novice in audio) recorded an improvised 1 take alto sax solo with nothing but an sm57 into a stock MOTU 828 mk1 preamp in the most deplorable musty square room imaginable and it was magic. It cut through the mix and had a finished classic old school Cannonball Adderly sound. No eq needed.

[glenn Taylor]

Safe Sax? ha ha..... Tenor sax is different than a sop sax or bari as far as mics. Put up 2 or 3 mics if you can and test. Sax players can be almost as different as singers. I have had nasal tenor that are squeaky. Other tenor players full and warm. Some just sound tinny.
+1 on ribbon or large re20
GT.

[dustyreels]

Originally Posted by yahman1254

I must admit that when I read the title to this thread I read "best mic type for sex"

Originally Posted by Peter Z

RE20

I'll be running the other way now!

[Stitch333]

anyone mention Ribbon mics?
an old 77 is really nice for brass...

[ripper]

+1 on ribbons. if you have a squawky player, back it of a bit. if you want brash and in yer face (ala E Street Band), a condensor. they used a 414. personally, i dont like that much but it's all about what you are going for. but for tenor or alto, the crappier the player, the less high end hype you want... so a ribbon or 421 in that case.

[Baykush]

I've always been happy with one of MD 421, RE 20 or Blue Kiwi.
RE 20 is smoother. Very little proximity effect. For more mid range punch and a little bit more definition MD 421.