Instrument Microphones Buying Guide

Instrument microphones sit on or right beside the instrument: miniature clip-on condensers for strings, brass, woodwind, piano and accordion, kick drum microphones, and complete instrument and touring kits with a clip or mount for each instrument. Placed close to the source, they capture the instrument's own sound with strong separation on a busy stage and let musicians move freely while they play. This guide explains how to choose from our range of instrument microphones.

Clip-on, gooseneck or stand: how instrument microphones mount

• Clip-on miniature microphones: a small condenser on a short gooseneck, held by a clip shaped for the instrument (violin, cello, double bass, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, drums, piano). The microphone moves with the player, so the sound stays even.
• Universal and clamp mounts: for instruments without a dedicated clip, or for stands, music desks and rails.
• Kick drum microphones: a dedicated microphone for the bass drum, placed inside or just outside the front head.
• Stereo systems: two matched miniature microphones for wide instruments such as piano and accordion.

Look for a system where the same microphone fits several clips: one set of microphones can then cover a whole band, and spare clips cost far less than extra microphones.

Choosing the sound pressure level rating

Instruments differ enormously in loudness. A violin or acoustic guitar is moderate, a saxophone or trumpet at the bell is very loud, and a snare or kick drum is louder still. Miniature instrument microphones are therefore often offered in versions for normal or loud sound pressure and for extreme sound pressure. Choose the extreme version for drums and brass played hard, and the loud or normal version for strings, woodwind, piano and voice-like sources, where more sensitivity gives a lower noise floor.

Polar pattern and separation

Supercardioid and cardioid instrument microphones pick up mainly what they point at and reject sound from the sides and rear. On stage this means less spill from neighbouring instruments and monitors, and more gain before feedback. Omnidirectional miniatures sound very natural and are less sensitive to exact positioning, which suits quieter settings, recording and theatre pits.

Connectors, power and adapters

Most miniature instrument microphones are condensers and need power. On a mixer or interface they connect through an XLR adapter that takes 48 V phantom power. On a wireless bodypack they connect through an adapter that matches the transmitter input. Check the termination of the microphone (for example a locking miniature connector, 3-pin LEMO, TA4F Mini-XLR or Mini-Jack) and buy the matching adapter or cable. Use balanced XLR cables for long runs on stage.

Kits for bands, orchestras and touring

Instrument and touring kits group several microphones with the clips, mounts, windscreens and cases needed for a typical line-up, for example a drum kit, a horn section or a string quartet. They save time on tour and keep everything matched. Count the instruments you need to cover, then check how many microphones and which clips each kit includes.

Placement basics

Strings: point the microphone at the bridge or the f-hole from a few centimetres away, angled slightly to avoid the player's hand. Brass and saxophone: clip to the bell and aim towards its centre, a little off-axis for a smoother sound. Drums: clip to the rim and aim towards the centre of the head, away from cymbals. Piano: place microphones over the strings, near the hammers for attack or further back for a fuller tone. Always listen and adjust, as a few centimetres change the sound as much as the microphone itself.

Accessories that matter

• Instrument clips and mounts for each instrument you play
• Foam windscreens for brass, woodwind and vocals near the microphone
• Extension cables and gooseneck extensions for flexible positioning
• Protective cases for transport and touring

Browse microphone accessories and windscreens and mounts to complete your setup.

Related guides

• Drum Microphone Packs Buying Guide
• How to Choose Headset and Lavalier Microphones
• Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones Guide
• Microphone Accessories Buying Guide

Buy instrument microphones in India

Explore our full range of instrument microphones at Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India. Contact / WhatsApp +91 89818 07755 / +91 91477 00677 for advice on choosing microphones, clips and adapters for your instruments.