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Whatcha think of this: http://www.xaphoon.com/It`s a hybrid of arecorder and a(tenor) sax. I wonder how such a great sax/clarinette tone can come from such a tiny thing that looks like a school kid`s recorder. And it`s cheap. Do you think it`s hard to learn for a person like me that has never learned to play a reed instrument? (I learned to play the recorder like every school kid here, though ;-)) Sandra
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Interesting sound. Seems a little over resonant (for my tastes) at times, but a pretty cool little instrument.
Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
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As a flute and sax player, I was rather put off by the fingering chart. The fingering would not translate to other woodwinds. If this were your first / only 'horn', though, that would not be as important.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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I would think that if you learned the recorder, that this would not be any more difficult. The main difference I see is that this has a reed. I'm not a reed player, but I've seen some prep time involved in getting the reed ready to play which you don't have to do with a recorder. If you think you would like to do it and the cost is not too much. why not give it a try?
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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The fingering for this is more convoluted than a recorder, but again, if you're not switching, it should not be a problem. Stan is right, a reed does take some getting used to, with soaking it and centering it on the mouthpiece properly, but you get used to that quickly. Tenor reeds are less persnickety than mine on soprano, too. One thing that still irks me is that, even in a name brand, you often only get four or so good reeds in a box of 10. Nothing we can do about that, unless you like the plastic reeds.
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The Xaphoon is FUN.
It should be rather easy for you to play.
And, it can sound like a Clarinet, sometimes like a Soprano Sax as well.
Making a sound with the single reed mouthpiece used in the Xaphoon is a lot easier than the same mouthpiece in a sax or clarinet, too.
--Mac
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Yeah, the fingering is alittle different from a recorder and I guess I`ll have to work on the reed thing, but I`ll give it a try. I mean it`s so cute and small and gives SUCH a sound. Wouldn`t it be a surprise to go on stage with such a thing on a jazz session;-))
BTW, what mics would you use to record this in the studio?
Sandra
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If you have one, a ribbon mic is a safe choice for a horn. Gives it a warmer sound than the typical small condenser mic would. But ask the studio to experiment. They probably don't yet have experience with this instrument.
I'm also guessing that, if you use one mic, you would put it above the middle of the instrument, as you would a clarinet, recorder, soprano sax etc., not at the end where the bell of a clarinet would be. Point the mic at your left hand; that gets about the right area.
Let us know how this works.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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Quote:
Wouldn`t it be a surprise to go on stage with such a thing on a jazz session;-))
I have found that it works quite well in the right settings. Awhile back I used mine to trade fours with a real Soprano Sax player and it was quite the hit (with everybody but the Sop Sax player, anyway *grin*).
Quote:
BTW, what mics would you use to record this in the studio?
Sandra
The same type of "instrument" mics that we would pick to record a reed instrument. The omnidirectional stick mic is one choice, in home recording where the room acoustics are not as likely to be ideal, the Cardioid pattern stick mic would likely be a good choice. Some prefer the Condenser types which are Phantom Powered, I have found that the lowly and affordable SM-57 Cardioid Dynamic mic can turn in a great performance. Mic Placement, of course is important, of course, as it is when recording anything, horn, vocal, guitar, etc. -- if the first test playback sounds like it is hollow or shrill, try moving the mic or the player closer together or farther apart, do another test strip recording. Repeat until you have found the optimum sounding situation for your room, mic, player and setup. Once you find this "sweet spot" the next time you want to record the same instrument it will not take as long to get it set up, especially if you jot down a few notes. A tape measure is handy for describing mic placement, simply measure the distance from center bottom of mic to the player's position and do the same again from one other set location in the room such that you "triangulate" the position of both. Also measure height from ground of each. Knowing that information the next time you record streamlines the setup situation. Often the placement is simple enough that the written notes are unnecessary, too, you will just remember the placement, especially in smaller rooms.
--Mac
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The old 'piece of tape on the floor' can work wonders also  Our drum set has one coler for the drum feet and another for the mic stand feet so when playing out it is easy to put back for recording. A couple notes for triangulation (as Mac mentioned) and its a quick setup. Full drum set and 8 mics ready to go quickly. Also, a couple quick pictures doesn't hurt. Keep a camera in the studio for many reasons. (Which mic was where last session??)
Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
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Yep, I always use a piece of painter's tape to mark my left foot, so I'm consistent within the session.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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It sounds pretty good to me.
I'm also put off by the fingering chart. But then I have a couple of saxes, a flute, and a couple of wind synthesizers that allow me a full range of sounds. Still it would be pretty neat.
Does anyone know if it tunes to A440?
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[quote
Does anyone know if it tunes to A440?
Notes ♫
Now there is a good question. The website said the mouthpiece is built-in, so perhaps that is not how it is tuned, if it can be tuned at all.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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@ Notes: Good call indeed. I dunno. I can`t remember, can you tune a recorder? If so, my guess is that you can tune the Xxaphoon too.
@Mac and Matt: Those are wonderfull tips for recording. I never did that tape trick. Thanks.
Sandra
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Quote:
can you tune a recorder?
Sandra
The good ones I've played, made of wood, have a removable mouthpiece that can be adjusted on the barrel for length.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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Just looked at my old recorder and yes, it has a removeable mouthpiece, so you can adjust the length (and tune it). Guess the Xaphoon works similar.
Sandra
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Mine will tune to A-440, but given the nature of the instrument and all the different makers, it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to inquire about that and be assured before buying.
BTW they tune just like any other single reed instrument - by sliding the mouthpiece in or out to decrease or increase the overall length of the instrument.
--Mac
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I saw they were available in Bflat, C and other tunings. Check out the website. A plethora of options. The wife asked if I needed one, didn't say 'we don't need that'. Amazing.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Local music store just ordered some .. will be interesting to see how they catch on.
Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
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Am I the only one that is bothered by the intonation problems that are so obvious in the playing samples?  I guess that is expected with this kind of instrument. As far as the reed, there are many synthetic reeds available and I would imagine they would sound decent on this instrument and for a non woodwind player be one less headache. Now for the sound-reminds me of an Acker Bilk wanna-be. http://www.ackersmusicagency.co.uk/music/SOTS.wmvSeriously for the price it should be a lot of fun.
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