I need to know the mic position for a Native American flute.  Any help would be appreciated.
 
Thanks,
 
Tom

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mike_mccue
The main thing: watch out for breathe/wind hitting the mic.
 
Up near the players fore head pointing down towards the flute is a popular option.
 
best regards,
mike

Thanks Mike.  I have two mics that I am thinking of using, either the small diaphragm Rode NT5 or the large diaphragm Shure KSM 44.  Which do you think would be best?
 
Thanks,
Tom
 

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Thanks Mike.

Yea, as Mike sez you probably want to be "looking" (or in this case listening) down at the flute.  I'd start from the left side and see how that works.  I'd also start w/ the sdc first, find a good position and then use the ksm44.  See how that affects the overall tone before I'd start rejiggering the placement.  I suspect the sdc would be best but you never know when the better mike strikes unless you try it.
 
Good recording!
 
@

I have always used larger diaphragm condensers on flute and got very nice results. I see Native American flutes can come in various sizes too. The larger diaphragm might be better suited to the longer or lower flutes too and the wooden sound as well. One option might be to setup both mics and record them at the same time onto two tracks and listen later during your mix. Or as Mike suggests make some test recordings and see what you prefer.

Like all solo acoustic instruments, you should record in stereo, in a decent sounding space.  3-5 feet back.  I would try MS since you have fig8 capability.  

There are often different options as to how you can record anything. It depends on what the end result is going to be and how or if it is going to be mixed either solo or with other instruments. But I guess it is solo in this case would that be right.
 
If you don't have access to a nice space and you don't want the sound of a distant wooden flute in a room you can also record it reasonably close and capture all the fine detail and use a nice convolution reverb to add the ambience later. (And have a lot of control over that ambience) If you are going to do a closer recording I would not bother making a stereo recording either. It is a very mono point source sound and stereo wont gain much. Use the ambience you add to create the stereo imaging. (even if it's is quite low in the mix)
 
Both very valid techniques but sound different. Decide which one you are going for and then use the appropriate technique to get it.
 
I totally agree with Daniel in that some instruments should not be recorded up close and violin for example is definitely one of them, but wooden flute is not though. That is one of those that can work well either way.

Seriously, you should consider shure SM81, It is best. But as you have given an option so use Shure KSM 44 instead of Rode NT5. You can consider my suggestion as I have lots of experience, giving for last six years.