It depends why you are wanting to mic the sax - is that for live performance, studio-based high quality recording or home-based recording ?
For live performance vocal dynamic mics work well for sax, usually about 12 inches above the bell and pointing downwards.
For home recording, a self-contained mic with analogue to digital converter going into a computer works well. Your budget determines what to get, but several people on this forum are using Zoom digital recorders. For more money you can use decent studio microphones feeding via an audio into a computer running some recording software.
Pete has got a good article about studio recording of the saxophone here: http://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-recording.html
Rhys
Thanks Rhys
It is for performance, I'm lucky enough to be in a blues band who are willing to put up with my efforts. I'll have a look at Petes article.
Dram
Sm57 is the better choice of the two.
Works great on sax for live purposes.
The mic can handle loud hits and works fine with trumpet and trombone as well.... And snare. However you may need to make adjustments to the high mids so that you don't get a to sharp sound. (Not referring to intonation but the sound)
Nick, with your system do you have a lead going to a belt pack, then to the desk or do you simply have a lead running from the sax streight to the desk?
Ah yes i remember seeing the monitor set up in a picture you posted last year when i was asking about monitors, interestingly since i left that band I've never needed a monitor either at prac or live...The lead from the mic runs into a Digitech Vocal 300 then to a small monitor on a stand at ear height and then to the desk.
Might give one of those a go, although being samwiged between Steve and Nath makes it very difficult to "jiggle around" (see my avatar)!I don't like being stood in one position at a mic on a stand as I like to be able to interact with other members of the band and jiggle around a bit (occasionally! ;} ) so I use a clip on Shure Beta 98 H/C - you will need phantom power though as it's a condenser mic.![]()
Do you find yourself spending to much time messing about with the Digitech though? that could be a problem.