Use the Mono image with a close mic for maximum presence. For greater dimension, move the mic back and switch to Stereo. And for huge
sound, place one Mono Beecaster in close, and add a second Wide Stereo Beecaster at a distance of 3 to 10 feet. Use the close mic for presence,
and blend in the room mic for size.
Here’s a nifty trick: the next time you record a “Jazz Box” guitar through a direct (D.I.) setup, place your Beecaster in front of the guitar, toward the
fingerboard. Now mix in a small amount of that “finger” sound with the direct signal to add personality. A little bit can make a big, big dierence.
Guitar amps and sounds come in all shapes and sizes, so always experiment. Your Beecaster provides all the tools you need to stretch your imagination.
Saxes, Flutes and Reeds
Sonic Image: Mono
The Beecaster’s exceptionally smooth response delivers a modern tonality when recording saxophones and other wind instruments. One
woodwind characteristic is that the sound from dierent registers emanates from a dierent point on the instrument, so the goal is to achieve an
even balance throughout the horn’s range. For soprano sax, clarinet, and other straight instruments, position the capsule about 8 to 12 inches
(20 - 30 cm) directly above and in front of the keys, between the middle of the horn and the lowest pads. To adjust the balance of airy highs
(toward the mouthpiece) and cutting midrange (toward the bell), try moving the microphone up or down along the body’s length. For a more
biting tone, move the mic to include some bell sound. For a darker and smoother sound, move the microphone farther away from the instrument.
For curved horns—alto, tenor, and baritone saxes, bass clarinets, and similar—place your Beecaster 8 to 12 inches (20 - 30 cm) in front of, and
to the side of, the bell. Angle the capsule up toward the mouthpiece to capture more air, brightness, and high notes. For a mellower sound, orient
the capsule toward the floor to emphasize the sax’s low range as well as tame the biting upper midrange frequencies that project straight out of
the bell. With all woodwinds, avoid aiming directly down the bell—this makes the lowest notes “honk.”
For flute, start by placing the Beecaster 2 feet (60 cm) in front and above the middle of the instrument. Remember that the flautist is moving a
lot
of air, so avoid the jet stream! If you want more highs and breath sound, move the capsule closer to the mouthpiece.
Percussion
Sonic Image: Mono, Stereo, or Wide Stereo
The Beecaster’s image control and fast transient response make it a perfect choice for hand drums and percussion. For congas, djembes, or
other hand drums, begin by moving the base to the edge of the desk, and extend the arm out and up. Orient the capsule downward towards
the drum, aiming the microphone just inside the rim 2 to 4 inches (5 - 10 cm) above the head. Directing the capsule toward the point of impact
emphasizes attack and definition. Angling the capsule back toward the rim produces a rounder tone. To maximize separation and boost the
fundamentals, keep the mics close. Or raise the mics for a natural, ambient interplay between drums and their surroundings. For a single drum,
choose a Mono image. For a two or more, choose Stereo and place the mic evenly over the center of the group.
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