Finding a way to mic up wind instruments isn not easy at the best of times: A traditional studio microphone on a stand is potentially problematic because every musician will occasionally deviate from the main recording axis, and even more so when playing enthusiastically on stage. After all, a live performance isn't just about the musical end product, but about showmanship and energy, which of course requires a certain freedom of movement. This is where the Sennheiser E608 comes in: The distortion-resistant clip-on microphone is simply attached directly to the bell of a wind instrument using the multifunctional clip - the gooseneck then allows accurate positioning, and thanks to its small size, it almost becomes one with the instrument, forming a single visual unit.
Unlike comparable models, the Sennheiser E608 is actually a dynamic rather than a condenser microphone, which is ideal given how close it is likely to be to the sound source. The vibrating microphone capsule, with its supercardioid polar pattern, is located at the upper end of the gooseneck, and as such can reliably block out lateral acoustic interference, as well as being remarkably insensitive to handling and impact sound. The sensitivity is perhaps a little on the low side, a side-effect of the mic's design: Specifically, the frequency response in the data sheet shows a level drop at frequencies below roughly 1.5kHz. However, this can be partially compensated for by the proximity effect. At the other end of the gooseneck is a robust, permanently attached 1.5m cable with an XLR socket and belt clip.
Wind musicians looking for a suitable microphone for their instrument have finally found what they are looking for with the Sennheiser E608. An extremely distortion-resistant clip-on microphone, the Sennheiser E608 is the ideal choice for miking very dynamic instruments – and woodwind and brass in particular. Woodwind players should be aware of the need to make sure in advance that the multifunctional clip supplied here can be attached to instruments with thicker bells. Otherwise, thanks to the gooseneck, the mic is flexible in terms of positioning, although it's best to avoid extreme angles so as not to damage the microphone.
In June 1945, Prof. Fritz Sennheiser founded the Wennebostel Laboratory, which initially produced measuring equipment. Commissioned by Siemens in 1945, the young company developed the MD-1 microphone, which was launched in 1946. After the development of further microphones, the company was renamed Sennheiser Electronic in 1958. Two years later, Sennheiser introduced the MD 421 dynamic microphone, which is still in production today and still held in high esteem by many sound engineers. Further groundbreaking developments, such as the HD 414 headphones and the classic MD 441 microphone, hugely enhanced the company's international reputation, eventually making Sennheiser one of the leading manufacturers of microphone and headphone systems in the world.
The Sennheiser E608 is a friend to wind players both in the studio and on stage, offering impressive technical specifications while ensuring that no-one need feel restricted when playing. In addition to the orchestra's woodwind and brass sections, the E608 can also be mounted on other instruments using the multifunctional clamp supplied. For example, it can be attached to the rims of a drumkit: With its transparent, tight sound, it's a particularly good partner for the snare drum. The E608 is also a fine option for high-pitched toms. If a drummer often finds that their hanging toms vibrate a lot when playing, significantly impairing stability, it is advisable to switch to a drum clamp, which Sennheiser also offers for just this eventuality.