When we think of “going wireless,” images arise of lead singers and guitar/bass players running around a stage, or actors in live theater wearing headsets to make themselves heard. However, when acoustic instrument players — horns, reeds, violin, ukuleles, etc. — want more mobility, a quality clip-on mic is a necessity. And with many such transducers today providing near-studio quality, we decided to check out what’s available in the market. To make comparisons easier, the models spotlighted are in basic/universal versions designed for sax/horns, and most are also offered for nearly every acoustic instrument imaginable, as well as in hardwired and wireless variants.
Audio-Technica ATM350U
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq. Response: 40 Hz – 20k Hz
- Max SPL: 159 dB
- Connector: Hirose HR10 4-pin (wireless) or wired XLR with AT8543 power module
- Notes: Eight systems for woodwinds, strings, brass, percussion, drums, guitar, accordion, piano. UE-O omni and UE-H hypercardioid elements also available
- Street Price: $299
AKG 519 M
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq. Response: 60 Hz – 20k Hz
- Max SPL: 132 dB
- Connector: TA3F Mini XLR for AKG wireless
- Notes: Horn version; other models avail for drums, percussion, accordion
- Street Price: $289
Applied Microphone Technology P800BM
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq. Response: 30 Hz – 20k Hz
- Max SPL: 140 dB
- Connector: TA4 Shure or 1/8” Sennheiser wireless
- Notes: Microphone is suspended in a 4-point isolation ring; other versions avail. for strings, woodwinds, accordion, percussion
- Street Price: $544
Audix ADX20iP
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq. Response: 40 Hz – 20k Hz
- Max SPL: 135 dB
- Connector: 3-pin mini XLR-F for Audix wireless
- Notes: Includes XLR power adapter for wired use; can be used on horns, accordion, cello, upright bass.
- Street Price: $249
beyerdynamic TG I57c
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq. Response: 30 Hz – 20 kHz
- Max SPL: 136 dB
- Connector: Mini 4-pin XLR
- Notes: Designed for brass instruments such as sax, trumpets, trombones or horns; optional XLR power adapter offered for wired use
- Street Price: $159
https://north-america.beyerdynamic.com
Countryman I2 Saxophone and Brass Mic
- Pattern: Omni (cardioid and hypercardioid optional)
- Freq. Response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz
- Max SPL: 150 dB
- Connector: Terminations for all major wireless systems; wired XLR adapter optional
- Notes: Mounts for flute, guitar, violin, cello and double bass also offered
- Street Price: $398
DPA 4099
- Pattern: Supercardioid
- Freq. Response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz
- Max SPL: 152 dB
- Connector: MicroDot with adapters for all major wireless; wired XLR adapter also avail
- Notes: Mounts available for brass, piano, guitar, woodwinds, flute, accordion, bass, cello, violin/viola, mandolin, drums and more
- Street Price: $620
Electro-Voice RE920TX
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq. Response: 80Hz – 18k Hz
- Max SPL: 148
- Connector: TA4F Mini XLR wired for use with EV & Telex bodypacks
- Notes: Universal clip-on mount is designed for trumpet, trombone, sax, woodwinds
- Street Price: $274
Neumann Miniature Clip Mic System Set
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq. Response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz
- Max SPL: 153 dB
- Connector: Has 3.5 mm jack for Sennheiser wireless and wired MCM100 XLR adapter; cables with 3-pin Lemo, 4-pin mini-XLR and MicroDot connectors optional
- Notes: Ultra-low 23 dBA self-noise; mounts available for horns, woodwinds, violin/viola, cello, double bass, guitar, piano and drums
- Street Price: $699
Sennheiser e 908B ew
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq. Response: 40 Hz – 20k Hz
- Max SPL: 147 dB
- Connector: 1/8” termination for Sennheiser evolution-series wireless; optional MZA 900P XLR adapter for wired applications
- Notes: Version for sax. Models for drums, woodwinds, percussion, congas and a low-sensitivity trumpet/trombone version also offered
- Street Price: $179
Shure WB98H/C
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq. Response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz
- Max SPL: 155 dB
- Connector: TA4F mini-XLR termination for Shure wireless
- Notes: Wireless sax/brass version with Beta 98H capsule; hardwired model with attached XLR preamp and Beta98 AD/C for drums also available
- Street Price: $169
