Microphone

Hello Everyone!

Just want to start off by saying THANK YOU to everyone who has subscribed, commented, liked, and watched my videos! I never expected my covers to get any interest and I'm very grateful!

Miking the flute can be an 'tricky' task. There are many different publications and recommendations on how to properly amplify and record the flute so I wanted to share how I specifically record mine. Please note that I'm not an audio engineer (just an Environmental Engineer) so the following are just my opinions and experiences.

Microphone Type

I only own two microphones: a Shure Dynamic Mic and an MXL Large Diaphragm Condenser. I find that the dynamic mic is really not suited for recording flute in a studio setting. Great for vocals though. For recording flute, I highly recommend a large diaphragm condenser mic. My specific microphone is an MXL 1006. It's an amazing mic for the price however, it's no longer in production. I think the microphone that took it's place is the 2006, but I'm not sure. My recommendations are based off of the 1006 but I think it can be applied to any other Large Diaphragm Condenser.

MXL 1006 Large Diaphragm Microphone

Review

• Amazing Pickup: you don't have to be right on top of it to get a decent sound level. However, it will pick up any little background noise including thunder.
• Great Range: Works well for both flute and piccolo. Doesn't distort the higher pitches. 
• Durable: I've had this mic for quite a few years and it's still going strong!

Power Source and Connection

Like most condenser mics, it requires an external power source. This can be provided by using a Phantom Power Supply (as pictured below) or through recording equipment such as an audio interface. I (unfortunately) have not purchased an audio interface yet so I have to use a Microphone-to-USB cable.

The microphone is hooked up through the Phantom Power then connected to the computer using the Microphone-to-USB cable then directly to my computer recording software.

\

Nady Audio SMPS-1X Condenser Microphone Phantom Power Supply

Nady Audio SMPS-1X Condenser Microphone Phantom Power Supply

• Decent Phantom Power Supply: Nothing flashy, just gets the job done.
• Prone to Shorting Out: Not sure if it was a coincidence but my first Nady Phantom Power quit out on my after a power surge during a storm even though it wasn't in use, just plugged in, and I had to get another one after that. So far, it works very well!

LightSnake Review

• DON'T BUY IT
• Lots of Noise: It makes it sound like there's white noise in the background of your recording. 
• Easily Broken: My first LightSnake broke after about a year and I only loosely rolled it up when not in use. The second one works most of the time but I just don't coil it up any more which is annoying when it has to be stored or transported. 
• Limited Compatibility: For recording, I use an old Windows Vista laptop that can't connect to the internet anymore or even hold a charge. The only reason I use it is because that's the only operating system that the LightSnake will work with. I've attempted to load it on Windows 8 and 10 and it doesn't work. 

Microphone Hardware

I originally used a hard shock mount for my microphones which can be seen in the majority of my videos. The way the mount is set up in my videos is not how I would like it to be positioned. The hardware came with my microphone so I used it for as long as possible but the screw that positions the microphone wears out easily.

MXL Hard Mount Review: 

• Holds the microphone up... until the screw is stripped and it no longer works (kinda obvious I know lol)
• Not too much noise is transferred, but if you're recording flute, there really shouldn't be anything touching the mic stand anyways.

Since the hard mount broke, I was gifted a soft mount. It's a universal fit for large diaphragm microphones. I had an extremely hard time fitting my microphone in the cradle but after much effort, I was able to make it work. After I was able to install the microphone, it works great and is a wonderful replacement for the hard mount. It's standard so there's no noise from accidentally bumping the mic stand or anything. I learned not to keep the mechanism for holding it in place tightened when not in use so that it doesn't wear out like the hard mount. 

Shock Mount Review: 

• Looks great! Love how nice it matches my microphone
• Works! Does what it claims.  

Microphone Stands

To me, a mic stand is a mic stand since I'm not really going to be interacting with it like a signer would. I recommend using a boom stand though if you're playing flute to give you more room and flexibility while recording. These stands don't come with specific mounting devices for your specific microphone so it may be useful to check the type of adapter your microphone cradle has. 

On-Stage Stands Tripod Mic Stand with Boom 
(not an affiliate link, just something to reference for specs)

On-Stage Stands Review: 

• Overall great product for the price.
• Great flexibility for many different angles of recording. 
• Hard to move sometimes if it gets over tightened (again, obvious)
• Have to watch how heavy the microphone is relative to it's position. I once had it topel over while recording 'over head'. Hasn't happened since, just have to be careful of how it's placed.

 Hopefully, this information has been of some help or it was at least somewhat interesting. Thank you so much again for your interest and see you in my next video or blog post! 

~Sara