Like other woodwinds, the tone of a flute comes from both the keys and the embouchure (mouth piece). When using a single microphone on the instrument, a wide-diaphragm condenser can be placed directed at the midpoint between the keys and the embouchure. A cardioid or bi-directional pattern can be used depending on how much room sound you would like in the recording.

For classical music, it is common to place the mic at a distance of 3–6′, whereas modern styles tend to benefit from a closer placement of 6″–2′. If the clicking of the keys is too prominent in the recording, try moving the mic farther back.

For a stereo recording, a pair of mics can be placed in an X-Y pattern in the same placement as above

The tone of a saxophone or clarinet is created along its entire length, from the mouthpiece, bell, and keys of the instrument. A good starting placement is a wide-diaphragm condenser or ribbon mic directed at the midpoint between the bell and the keys (see Fig. 143). For modern musical styles, 1–2′ is an appropriate distance, while classical music usually calls for a greater distance of 4–8′. Close placement can result in picking up the clicking of keys during the performance. This can be remedied by moving the mic farther from the instrument.

For clarinet and soprano sax, where the bell of the instrument points away from the keys, using two mics, one over the keys and one at the bell, is also an option.