Mic and tips for recording flute

[Starcross]

Hello all,
I'm new to the forum (directed here by a bandmate and another forum newbie, in10city) and thought I'd attempt to draw upon everyone's knowledge for some assistance in getting a good sounding flute recording. This has been one of our biggest challenges up to this point. In the past I've attempted to use anything from an SM58 to an AT 4033 or various combinations. We recently did a live show where we got some good results using a borrowed Beta 57.

Based on what I've read here so far, I'm gathering that the 4033 is a bad choice due to an overemphasis on high frequencies...So, I'll start with a clean slate. What would anyone recommend as far as mics, and any tips as to mic placement would be helpful.
Thanks in advance...

[DogpitStudios]

Before suggesting any new mics, I'm going to suggest that you take every mic you have (this includes $10 radio shack mics) and set each one up where they sound best when the flute is playd. I'm not sure what mics you have, but after doing this short test get back to us about exactly what you don't like about the way each mic picks up the sound of the flute.

As for mic placement, I don't know exactly how a flute produces tone, but my aunt is a proffessional and has been in many big new york studios to produce her CDs. I'll be seeing her in about 2 days, so I can talk to her about it and get back to you.

Ben

[In10city]

I guess it's time to dust off my old collection of radio Shack SM-58 wanna-be's and see what they sound like.

[Starcross]

OK, thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to get together with our flautist and give it a go. We have the 4033, plenty of SM57's and SM58's, a Carvin condenser, some old AKG vocal mics, a couple of EV's, and, well, that cheap Radio Shack stuff. I'll do some experimenting and report back here.

[dach]

This may or may not help....

I usually pick mics depending on the track and what purpose the flute plays...

but as far as micing, there are 3 basic positions... one is near the mouth to pick up breath sounds, one is near the exhaust pipe ;D and the other is several feet above the flute. If you are in a room with low ceilings, have the player sit if possible

[brandondrury]

I must admit that I've only recorded a flute one time in my entire life. The guy playing it was an amazing saxaphone player, but not an amazing flute player.

With that said, flutes are what I call "natural instruments". This means that a mic 2-4 feet away will probably sound fine. If it doesn't, you tweak. I know nothing about the specifics of a flute and therefore I have no tricks.

I'd be really careful using hyper / super cardiod microphones with the flute back too far because they can get exceptionally thin at great distances. This may or may not effect your flute recording.

In what mix is the flute going to be in? Is it by itself? Is it competing with rock guitar and big drums?

Brandon

[Starcross]

Thanks again everyone.

The flute will be used fairly extensively on this cd, at times with minimal accompaniment on acoustic guitar or keys, at other times pretty much with the full barrage of drum/bass/gtr/keys/kitchen sink.
There are also a few parts where the flute will be harmonizing with lead guitar melodies in moderately dense arrangements.

[brandondrury]

Well, I'd think that it would really need to cut in a dense mix and so you may get away with something like a AT4033 (but that can be one aggressive mic). Of course, the mic will dull up quite a bit if you put a bag over it, leave it in its case, or angle it a little. (The latter being the most realistic solution).

In the more sparse arrangements, you'll probably want it sounding a little "creamier". I'd reach for a ribbon microhone if you have one, but there are probably certain condensers that would be good for this.

In reality, positioning is the most important factor here (assuming the flute sounds good in the room).

Brandon

[cavedweller]

I have tried recording bansuri bamboo flute with my AKG perception 200. I mike it close , 4-6 inches from the blowing hole. The sound comes nice and fat but unfortunately there seems to be a rough edge to it - there is a bunch of sibilance (which seems to be in 5-6kHz range) also caught /amplified in the recording. Close range seems necessary to preserve the low-end. Any ideas? Does anybody know about AKG Perception 200's performance etc.? Thanks!

[cavedweller]

Originally Posted by cavedweller

I have tried recording bansuri bamboo flute with my AKG perception 200. I mike it close , 4-6 inches from the blowing hole. The sound comes nice and fat but unfortunately there seems to be a rough edge to it - there is a bunch of sibilance (which seems to be in 5-6kHz range) also caught /amplified in the recording. Close range seems necessary to preserve the low-end. Any ideas? Does anybody know about AKG Perception 200's performance etc.? Thanks!

Hey folks! Nobody has thoughts on this??