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Mic'ing Uilleann Pipes
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Gareth Magennis
Nov 28, 2011, 2:38:48 PM11/28/11
to
Hi,
I have a gig coming up with a Celtic band with Pipes. The tech spec says
one DI for Pipes and one mic, so presumably these Pipes have a bug on board.
So I'm wondering what kind of sound will be coming from the DI and what kind
of Mic I might need to compensate / enhance.
All gear is being hired in, so I can specify what I want.
Cheers,
Gareth.
I have a gig coming up with a Celtic band with Pipes. The tech spec says
one DI for Pipes and one mic, so presumably these Pipes have a bug on board.
So I'm wondering what kind of sound will be coming from the DI and what kind
of Mic I might need to compensate / enhance.
All gear is being hired in, so I can specify what I want.
Cheers,
Gareth.
Denny Strauser
Nov 29, 2011, 1:24:57 AM11/29/11
to
drone pipes of bagpipes. They are usually played sitting down. I don't
know what the DI might provide.
Goog luck,
- Denny
Denny Strauser
Nov 29, 2011, 1:32:33 AM11/29/11
to
The drone pipes lay low like the melody pipe.
I suggest using a basic 57. Condensers have too much hi frequency, much
like mic-ing a banjo or violin.
- Denny
Gareth Magennis
Nov 29, 2011, 4:23:17 PM11/29/11
to
"Denny Strauser" <dsdenn...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:jb1ua5$64q$1...@dont-email.me...
Gareth.
None
Nov 29, 2011, 9:51:11 PM11/29/11
to
LIke other pipes, the main melody is played by the "chanter" pipe, which is
like
other woodwinds: all the sound comes out the of "bell" end only when all the
holes
are closed; otherwise, much or most of the sound comes out of the first open
hole
(the open hole closest to the reed). There are three fixed-pitch "drone"
pipes that
project off the right side of the lap (uilleann pipes are played while
seated). All the
sound comes out the end of the drone pipes, unless the pipe is shut off,
which can
be done with uilleann pipes. While the three drones have only two pitches on
the
grand highland pipes, there are three different pitches for the uilleann
pipes' three
drones, so place the drone mike to pick up all three. Then there are the
"regulator"
pipes, closer to the right side of the body, each with a set of keys to
open/close
holes. These are used to play chords and rhythmic accompaniment
I've never seen uilleann pipes with a DI, so I can't advise about that, but
I would
be prepared to use up to three dynamic microphones, one each for the
chanter,
drones, and regulators, and also be prepared to mute one or more of the
microphones
if the DI is appropriate to use. Just because the piper has a DI, that
doesn't mean
you have to use it, if a microphone give a better or more balanced sound.
I've also
had success with only two mikes, using one mike for both the chanter and the
regulators, with enough time to ensure careful placement. Some pipers make
little or no use of the regulators.
Uilleann pipes are complicated and difficult to play, and they can be
complicated
to mike up as well. They have a particularly sweet sound, and it's very
rewarding
to get the sound right, for the sound engineer, the audience, and the piper.
A most
beautiful sound when well played. Typically, with Irish trad music, it's all
about the
melody, and the drones and regulators play a supporting role, but the pipes
can
and do get used in non-traditional contexts.
news:jb1trt$4b7$1...@dont-email.me...
like
other woodwinds: all the sound comes out the of "bell" end only when all the
holes
are closed; otherwise, much or most of the sound comes out of the first open
hole
(the open hole closest to the reed). There are three fixed-pitch "drone"
pipes that
project off the right side of the lap (uilleann pipes are played while
seated). All the
sound comes out the end of the drone pipes, unless the pipe is shut off,
which can
be done with uilleann pipes. While the three drones have only two pitches on
the
grand highland pipes, there are three different pitches for the uilleann
pipes' three
drones, so place the drone mike to pick up all three. Then there are the
"regulator"
pipes, closer to the right side of the body, each with a set of keys to
open/close
holes. These are used to play chords and rhythmic accompaniment
I've never seen uilleann pipes with a DI, so I can't advise about that, but
I would
be prepared to use up to three dynamic microphones, one each for the
chanter,
drones, and regulators, and also be prepared to mute one or more of the
microphones
if the DI is appropriate to use. Just because the piper has a DI, that
doesn't mean
you have to use it, if a microphone give a better or more balanced sound.
I've also
had success with only two mikes, using one mike for both the chanter and the
regulators, with enough time to ensure careful placement. Some pipers make
little or no use of the regulators.
Uilleann pipes are complicated and difficult to play, and they can be
complicated
to mike up as well. They have a particularly sweet sound, and it's very
rewarding
to get the sound right, for the sound engineer, the audience, and the piper.
A most
beautiful sound when well played. Typically, with Irish trad music, it's all
about the
melody, and the drones and regulators play a supporting role, but the pipes
can
and do get used in non-traditional contexts.
news:jb1trt$4b7$1...@dont-email.me...
Gareth Magennis
Nov 30, 2011, 3:37:38 PM11/30/11
to
"None" <no...@nospam.org> wrote in message
news:tbCdneq0tuu8B0jT...@earthlink.com...
That'll be 2 extra 57's then.
Gareth.
Gareth Magennis
Dec 17, 2011, 5:48:54 PM12/17/11
to
synthetic sounding, almost like it was a cheap keyboard preset.
However an SM57 over the chanter pipe filled in rather nicely the top end
open flutey whistly stuff, and with appropriate EQ the combination actually
worked quite well.
The drones were in fact turned off - apparently the player's experience in
the past is that they "get lost" in the mix. Not quite sure how to take
that.
Gareth.
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