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How Do I Choose the Best Flute Microphone?

K. K. Lowen
K. K. Lowen

There are many different flute microphone available. The flute microphone that is best for someone else may not be the best for your purposes. It is important to first determine the purpose for which you want the microphone, because a public performance may require a different type than is required to make a recording.

If you want a microphone to use on a stage or elsewhere with the purpose making the instrument louder, there are a number of factors to consider. To increase the range of mobility when performing, some people like to use a small microphone that attaches near the lip plate of a flute. Microphones sometimes have a wire attached to them, but many modern microphones are available in wireless form. When using a wireless microphone attached to the instrument, a performer has more freedom of movement and can move easily to different parts of a stage or performance area.

A vocal microphone can be used for a flute.
A vocal microphone can be used for a flute.

Some people like to use a standalone flute microphone during performances. The microphone attaches to a stand and is placed in a single position, allowing the flutist to play directly into the microphone. Although immobile microphone stands are not as popular now as they once were, some flutists still may prefer to use large microphones that attach to stands if they feel that a specific microphone offers the desired sound quality.

There are several different types of microphones. Some microphones are designed to pick up sound from a very narrow field and to cancel out all other noises. Other microphones capture a wide area of sound. When performing live, many people use unidirectional microphones that single out their flute. Recording conditions are usually quiet enough to allow the use of omnidirectional microphones, which pick up ambient sounds.

The performance of a flute microphone may be limited by other equipment being used. If you buy an expensive, high-performance microphone for your flute, the sound quality still may not be acceptable if plugged into inferior sound output equipment. Similarly, you may get good results from an inexpensive microphone if you have other equipment that can aid in noise reduction and sound filtering.

Price is a major factor for most people. The cost of an advanced or superior-quality flute microphone may be out of some people’s price ranges. Before you begin shopping, it may be helpful to determine exactly how much money you have to spend. Once you know the price range, you can narrow your search to brands and types that will fit your needs and budget.

Discussion Comments

jonrss

Does the style of flute music I play effect the type of microphone I should be using? I have been playing flute since high school and still use many of the same kinds of mics that we used back then. However, I now mostly play jazz but back then it was mostly big band and classical stuff. Do I need to get a different kind of microphone to play jazz?

nextcorrea

Ideally, you will be able to try out any flute mic in real conditions before you buy it. This is really the only way to know if the mic lives up to your standards and if it can accommodate your style of play.

If you are buying a flute mic from a music store they should let you try it before you buy it. This is pretty standard procedure for audio equipment. If they do not, think about shopping around a little longer before you make your decision.

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    • A vocal microphone can be used for a flute.
      By: soundsnaps
      A vocal microphone can be used for a flute.