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Post by Omicron9 on Mar 13, 2020 12:02:12 GMT -6
Greetings.
I've never tried an SM7 on woodwinds (saxes, flutes), but I can imagine it would work pretty well. I don't own an SM7, so can't try it here.
Just for reference, my current faves are a KSM-44 out in front for a tenor/soprano. SM-81 for flute. Placed overhead and aimed down at flute headjoint it works really well. And usually an old AKG D-224-E near the floor pointing up at a 45-degree angle to get some extra goodness from soprano sax. Side note: one of the coolest, most overlooked dynamic mics ever, says me.
Has anyone tried an SM7 in this application? If so, your findings?
TIA,
-09
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Post by drbill on Mar 13, 2020 13:07:05 GMT -6
Haven't tried it, but I've gotta say that it wouldn't be a mic I would be inclined to pull out for sax / flute. I'd also love to hear thoughts from someone who has....
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 13, 2020 13:35:58 GMT -6
Might work fine I'd think for sax.
Flute I'd never go for that though.
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Post by Ward on Mar 13, 2020 13:39:51 GMT -6
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Post by the other mark williams on Mar 13, 2020 14:25:38 GMT -6
I tend to like ribbons on both. Even an inexpensive ribbon can sound great on those sources.
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Post by Guitar on Mar 13, 2020 15:25:04 GMT -6
It's a completely different mic but I really like MD441 on saxophone. I'd be curious to hear my SM7B on one.
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Post by johneppstein on Mar 13, 2020 16:08:04 GMT -6
It's good to bear in mind that the greater part of a sax's output comes out the holes of the keys, not the bell which seems to be the more obvious place. And the higher the pitch of the note, the more this is true. Something like an SM7 which has a tight pattern optimized for short range pickup might not do so well in such a situation.
I believe it was the first edition of Sound System Engineering by Don and Carolyn Davis that had as one of its appendices a chart showing the projection pattern of various instruments. Dunno about the later editions.
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Post by Omicron9 on Mar 13, 2020 20:08:45 GMT -6
Has anyone used an SM7 on their beard? |
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Post by iamasound on Mar 13, 2020 23:25:01 GMT -6
It's a non starter on a full grown out beard as the pickup pattern is too tight, but I have used it on a modest handelbar mustache with good results. Even then, getting in close combined with the natural proximity effect that the mic exhibits plus the manley strong lower register on upper lip growth, the result is a bit boomy, so just back the mic off a hair.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Mar 14, 2020 13:41:49 GMT -6
No this is about woodwinds not woodsy windbags that unfortunately the SM7 excels on, well unless of course your selling SM7b’s. Wait this means it’s all my fault! I apologize, I truly am sorry, I am sorry my greed lead to this dire outbreak. I deserve 20 lashes with the crappiest mic cable. Of course the crappiest mic cable is a wireless so it really won’t hurt. |
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Post by shoe on Mar 15, 2020 13:32:19 GMT -6
My dad likes to use an SM7 paired with a Beyer M201TG for his live sax sounds. It's not as good as the Heiserman H47Tube, but if you're not recording in isolation it does work well.
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Post by nick8801 on Mar 15, 2020 18:26:25 GMT -6
With the foam screen off through a nice open preamp I think it would probably sound pretty good. Really all depends on song and context.
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Post by kerryluis on Aug 2, 2023 5:19:55 GMT -6
Even though the thread is three years old, the topic of using an SM7 on woodwinds remains interesting and relevant. Your insights into using the KSM-44 and SM-81 for tenor/soprano and flute are valuable for musicians exploring different mics and setups. While we may not have new findings from recent experiences with the SM7 on woodwinds, it's still a great idea to keep the conversation alive. Sharing our knowledge and experiences from the past can still benefit fellow musicians who might be considering similar setups or experimenting with different microphones. For anyone looking to explore the world of woodwind instruments, including flutes, you can find out flute price and models here. Their selection can guide you towards finding the perfect flute for your needs. |
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Post by honkeur on Aug 2, 2023 5:42:19 GMT -6
Flute and soprano sax player here. I have to say, the Shure SM7 would be probably the last mic I’d ever choose.
Current top choice for studio is Austrian Audio OC818. For live, Sennheiser MD 441 (with treble boost switch engaged).
Other mics I’ve used and enjoyed are the JZ V67, and for live the Beyerdynamic M69 (which I prefer to the M88. M69 has a smoothness the M88 lacks.) The Beyer M160 has always given me great results on every source, as well.
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Post by Omicron9 on Aug 2, 2023 11:25:43 GMT -6
Thanks for reviving my old thread; some interesting and helpful replies here.
More info: This is for studio work only; no live work. The woodwindist (?) with whom I work most didn't care for ribbons (Mesanovic, Cascade). Hence the 81/44/224 choices.
Thanks again, all.
-09
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Post by chessparov on Aug 2, 2023 12:37:55 GMT -6
Might work fine I'd think for sax. I need better reading glasses, on that first sentence. 😉 Once in a while I also tease those with "long hair", beards and/or mustaches. I NEVER looked good trying any of that. And I'm getting wigged out on it!  Maybe some "old pictures" of us trying to do one of those things... Might be most amusing. * LOL! Chris *Now I'll shower some "likes" on the earlier teasing. 😀 |
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Post by chessparov on Aug 2, 2023 12:39:45 GMT -6
Haven't tried it, but I've gotta say that it wouldn't be a mic I would be inclined to pull out for sax / flute. I'd also love to hear thoughts from someone who has.... Now shaker? Eureka! I've got it.... How about Steve WINDWOOD? Chris |
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Post by ab101 on Aug 2, 2023 13:29:36 GMT -6
Woodwinds - ribbons.
Samar vl37 super on flute.
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Post by peterhess on Aug 3, 2023 14:44:57 GMT -6
It’s a terrible choice for woodwinds, imo. Recording woodwinds is my whole game; in a couple studios I’ve had one forced on me in the past, and it’s sounded just awful. Guy hears something vaguely like a clarinet and goes “great!” A Behringer C4 sounds better on winds, by a mile.
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Post by chessparov on Aug 3, 2023 15:52:39 GMT -6
Maybe they forgot the Cloudlifter.
Chris
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2023 16:14:22 GMT -6
It’s a terrible choice for woodwinds, imo. Recording woodwinds is my whole game; in a couple studios I’ve had one forced on me in the past, and it’s sounded just awful. Guy hears something vaguely like a clarinet and goes “great!” A Behringer C4 sounds better on winds, by a mile. Nods.. |
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Post by drsax on Aug 4, 2023 9:00:48 GMT -6
Full range mics that sound great on vocalists tend to also be great on sax/flute. Which one really depends on the brightness or darkness of the individual player. SM7 wouldn’t be my choice although it might tame and mask the sound of a reallly harsh, super bright player
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Post by Ward on Aug 4, 2023 11:42:42 GMT -6
Woodwinds - ribbons. Samar vl37 super on flute. HA!! Same! Done a bunch of work with a champion flautist over the past 2 years, who is in Arizona now, and she and I both preferred all her flutes captured by a VL37 |
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Post by chessparov on Aug 4, 2023 11:55:15 GMT -6
Followed by commercial release. Chris |
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Post by iamasound on Aug 7, 2023 3:47:35 GMT -6
In the mid 90's I recorded Richard Hardy playing tenor sax for a friend's album with a Rode Classic paired to a Joe Meek VC 1 and he thought it the best sound of his playing ever as mostly his parts were captured with a Sennheisser 421.
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