How to Record a Saxophone | Home Recording Techniques for Instruments

[@oli77sch]

The single cardioid has a much fuller sound than the two mics mixed, are there phasing issues maybe?

[@andisaxophone]

As a saxophone player myself, I strongly preferred the sound of just the cardioid. Are there potential phase issues with two mics if the player is moving? I have used two mics before, and I have had to adjust the phase in post.

[@mirkomarkovic3438]

phase issues only if one of the mic moves!

[@wiktorchojnacki9746]

@@mirkomarkovic3438 Not true, the phase issues come up when there is a specific, unfavorable combination of distances between the respective mics and the instrument. Here the clip-on is always is in the same direction to the instrument. The omni however, despite being on a stand, has a varying distance because of the position of the player. By this movement the player can introduce in and out the phasing issues, when two mics are used in mix. This also isn't something that you can easily make up for in post, for example delaying one of the signals, as the delay would have to vary according to the player movements.

[@KaidoLP]

I once miced up a sax, a flute, an acordeon, bongos and some stuff that I cannot remember with one cardiod mic. The most difficult aspect of the whole setup was balancing the feedback as it got really loud during the performance and the mic captured everything (I didn't had anything narrower than a cardiod) The player was a multi instrumentalist and played for a youth theatre so it was live. I routed the ceiling mounted mic (with an arm and angled towards her) and the keyboard to the mixer and used a double foot switch for her to control her mic and her co musicians keyboards overdrive (I double tracked the keyboard once with and once without overdrive for a specific scene). This way the musicians were able to control all aspects of the music them self so that I could take pictures and film (which is my main role) instead of muting and unmuting the mic and keyboard.

[@JoshuaFortuna]

Ha! In another lifetime I was an Alto Saxophone player in a garage band. Our first attempt at micing (miking? micking? mic’ing?) was throwing a condenser into the bell of the sax. We were high schoolers 15 years ago without clips or multiple mics, haha. What a time nowadays

[@mrdogebro]

Loved the video and how simple but effective the techniques were. Keep up the good work.

[@curtisjudd]

Loved this series, Thanks Thai, Nathan, and Andrew! LOL! Andrew does NOT like a clicky sax!

[@BasicFilmmaker]

Just shared this with my sax friend. As always, love these. How about mic-ing a bass amp. I know, why? Well, tell me, why not? 👍

[@TimMillaway]

I like to record with a clip on that’s a little further from the bell. The 2 mic mix sounds really strong 🎷

[@isaacmurilloarroyo6534]

Great video! Very useful!

[@michaeldavis9954]

Excellent presentation

[@ruby_gleyzes]

Very nice tips from Thai Long Ly: I love his mindset, manners and knowledge ;-)

[@mhacousticrenderings]

I love the good manners in this video.

[@lighthackerslimited]

I filmed a documentary with the RPO (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) travelling with them around the world for 6 months... On one occasion we filmed them in a remote Scottish island in the Orkneys.. The only big enough stage was at the movie theater, so they played there.. We only had an opportunity this time to mic the players as an ambient recording... However the old theatre had a catwalk gantry above the stage.. I lowered a single Sony ECM-77 20m to hover about 5m above the conductor... Have to admit, the recording was beautiful!! Sometimes when you can only work with what you've got (no mid-side mics or array of different kit), it works out in the end.

[@konsul599]

Extremely helpful! Great video and audio quality! Immediately subscribed!

[@brianslack3575]

Here's a tip you might want to try to deal with key noise during recording. In Audacity there is a noise reduction program. Simply record a sample of the key noise at the beginning of the track you're recording. Then use the noise reduction effect. Highlight the key noise in the wave form. Select the remaining entire track and run the noise reduction program at a low setting to remove the key sounds. 'Worked for me.

[@tostronenergy3302]

What basic gears do you use?

[@DieterLo1]

A very good presentation of how to record the saxophone! Thanks!

[@thegreenstache04]

Love your interpretation of my One and Only Love

[@Dalightsax]

This is great! thanks for sharing

[@pradeepchakraverti]

Liked the great tips in here. 👍

[@mactech44]

I just found your sax recording video. The information was well presented and very helpful. I was wondering what the box was that you plugged the mix into. Thanks

[@DeityMicrophones]

Thank you! Sound Devices MixPre-3

[@83gregorycharlene]

Hi, I record my alto sax on audacity with a akg mic. It always sound muffled or a bit far away like I'm playing in the bathroom. How do I get a better sound?I havnt downloaded any plugins or anything. You can see the sound on one of my saxophone videos in my channel

[@KadrianThomas]

Great video.

[@anfiorsceal]

The tune played is the jazz standard " My One And Only Love" ........

[@mrsax6203]

Interesting...I use a remote Sennheiser, a SM58 and SE22OOA 2 AND A CARDOID DYNAMIC but I have never compared them.....that's my next project.........very interesting video on the different sound made by two mics!

[@frankinmyrrh330]

Which mic is being used there?

[@mangpicsm2103]

Is 57 dynamic is ok to use for saxophone

[@BaritoneJoe]

Can you make a video on Opera singing? Thanks!

[@nacoapestoso]

how would you deal with phase issues? as the player moves slightly just playing

[@xtldubz]

How do you feel about condenser mics? My recording ends up with too much low end.

[@americanatheart110]

Can we connect the sax to Kareoke machine?

[@VinnieBeatz]

Lol. The ending gets me every time.... messed up my own name lmao

[@vincenteklund6473]

Really helpfull video! I would love to se you mic up a violin.

[@Behnam_Moghaddam]

Is this a small condenser with interchangeable heads for different patterns? Very "GASy" tell me more about this new mic, please

[@lucassanor9991]

Phew that mic on the stand is a million times better for that sax.

[@wongkinben9928]

Thank you for this episode! That's a great help for Sax players like me! But one more question here. How to mic a sax when I play in a live band with other instruments around. I am sitting near them closely. Which mic and position is better for this situation?

[@TimMillaway]

I like clip ins because I like to move around the stage.

[@mauriob1]

I’ve been playing sax in church for 20 plus and the clip has worked best because it allows more freedom of movement.

[@SirSeabass]

I have whats probably a stupid question. There are a lot of wireless options out there, but other than being a different frequence, whats the difference between uhf and 2.4 ghz. I'm having trouble finding anything that illustraits the differenaces and how to use them/ which one is actually better.

[@SirSeabass]

AH! Nevermind i just found your RF interferance video.

[@eshortsax]

Maybe someone can help me out: I was suggested to get a DI Box for recording my sax and I like the sound it gives (don’t hear as much breath, just notes); however, my low notes are extremely quiet. Anything I can do to help it have an even tone? I’m used to controlling my breathing for for tone but no matter how ‘loud’ I’m playing, it’s still recorded very softly. I was looking in my DAW to see if I can change frequencies or something but having no luck. Any suggestions?

[@alistairhomewood7344]

Proximity effect. The closer to the sound source, the more bass you'll here. Use it lol

[@theautomationchannel6920]

when/where is my Uni-Mic?

[@barisaxx4493]

A clip-on lapel mic for a sax? You guys know they make mics specific to this purpose?

[@DeityMicrophones]

But you don't have to buy one to get the same results.

[@BadKarma714]

This was my idea from the drum video yeah do I win something? I could really use some sound stuff my gear was stolen almost 6 months ago and still haven’t recovered my gear but I am building it back up

[@DeityMicrophones]

What other instruments would you like to see recording tips for?

[@BadKarma714]

I suggested this video from the drumming video that’s awesome do I win anything?

[@rsharma1989]

I would really like to see how to mic an instrument(like a piano or accordion) along with vocals. Interested in striking the right balance/crisp between vocal sounds and instrument sound.

[@montazownianr1]

Bells (loud hand bells)

[@membervarun]

Any comment on great entry level mic for Sax? Budget $350.

[@alistairhomewood7344]

Shure sm57 is THE mic. It does everything, guitar, drums, vocals, saxophone etc. It was made in the 60s originally and is known as THE mic to be in every studio. Its dirt cheap, but is amazing. Its solid metal, theres videos of trucks running it over without it breaking, it's a tank. Pair that with a focusrite scarlett 2i2 or solo to connect to your computer and ur sorter

[@skatertrev7]

See if you can find a used Sen 421 or RE320. Those may be a good fit for you.

[@skylite9478]

Saxophones are W O O D W I N D Instruments for crying out loud.

[@jeremyleff]

But they are made of brass, which is what he meant.

[@charlasax]

That s fantastik

[@skymccloud]

what mic is that

[@DeityMicrophones]

Deity V.Lav shop.deitymic.com/collections/lavaliers/products/v-lav-1

[@AndyPanda9]

That clip-on mic you used is not at all the right sort for a sax - you need a clip with a gooseneck so the mic element is up 5-6 inches above the bell - and then you can play with angling it down into the bell or aim it between the bell and the keys

[@svenlakemeier]

I don't know what happens at 1:12, but it makes my iPad open Siri.

[@hobongsaxophone2406]

❤🎷

[@clayxaviermusic]

Am I the only one who noticed that the first two examples of playing weren’t actually that guy in the video and recorded in a totally different room?

[@kylelowe]

Andrew hates CLACKITY SAX.

[@vladimirlopez7840]

They keep talking about jazz players moving around but nobody moves around more than pop and funk sax players.

[@tonyplaysguitar101]

What's youtube?!

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Sax sound was too thin for my taste.