User Manual

12 inches (15 - 30 cm). Upright basses vary a great deal in personality, so finding the “sweet spot” on your instrument may
take some exploration—but your Worker Bee will get you there.
Drums & Percussion
The Worker Bee’s slim profile and fast transient response make it a perfect choice for drums and percussion. For drum kits,
congas, djembes, or other hand drums, begin by placing the microphone just inside the rim 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) above
the head. Directing the capsule toward the point of impact (stick or hand) will emphasize attack and definition. Angling the
capsule back towards the rim produces a rounder tone. To maximize separation and boost the fundamentals, keep the mics
close. Or raise the mics for a natural, ambient interplay between drums and their surroundings.
With its sparkling high-end qualities, the Worker Bee is an excellent pick for cymbals, shakers, and small hand percussion. For
stereo drum overhead use, place two Worker Bees about 2 feet (60 cm) above the kit, one over each cymbal cluster. If possible,
position them equidistant from the snare’s center for the best phase alignment. A mic cable can be a useful measuring tool.
A similar arrangement works well for a small percussion table. For balance, arrange the instruments on the tables and stands
so that the loudest ones are farthest from the mics and the softer ones are closer.
Saxes, Flutes and Reeds
The Worker Bee’s exceptionally smooth response delivers a modern tonality when recording saxophones and other wind instruments.
One characteristic of woodwinds is that the sound from dierent registers emanates from a dierent point on the instrument,
so the goal is to achieve an even balance throughout the horn’s range. For soprano sax, clarinet, and other straight instruments,
position the capsule about 8 to 12 inches (20 - 30 cm) directly above and in front of the keys, between the middle of the horn and
the lowest pads. To adjust the balance of airy highs (toward the mouthpiece) and cutting midrange (toward the bell), try moving
the microphone up or down along the body’s length. For a more biting tone, move the mic to include some bell sound. For a darker
and smoother sound, move the microphone farther away from the instrument.
For curved horns—alto, tenor, and baritone saxes, bass clarinets, and similar—place your Worker Bee 8 to 12 inches (20 - 30
cm) in front of, and to the side of the bell. Angle the capsule up toward the mouthpiece to capture more air, brightness, and
10