Sound Mirror

[Slugger]

Hi....has anybody truied out the sound mirror....do you have any feedback..

Thanks alot

[1saxman]

No, but I do use a sound reflector that I made of 1/4" Plexiglas. Absolutely the best thing I've done for my playing. I don't care if I'm in the monitors or not - I hear exactly what I sound like no matter what, with no modifications by microphones, mixing boards or morons. Of course, this has no effect on what goes out front, but at least I know what I'm doing. Obviously, not everyone stands behind a mic, and they make reflectors that attach to your bell. You can even rig it up with a hole for a bell mic, and the clear reflector is nearly invisible on stage. Mine fits down over the mic and clamps to the stand. It's about 14"x12". I made it big because I was playing a lot of dual sax stuff at that time and needed the extra width. Bottom line, everybody turns to a wall or other flat vertical object when they're trying to hear themselves. Why not have that all the time? It has done wonders for me - if I hear it, I did it. Takes all the uncertainty out of it, like "Geez, do I really sound like this?" when you're trying to use floor monitors and God-knows-who is running monitors that night.

[hornstar]

I have one of the sound mirrors that clips to the bell, but it tends to flop around a bit.
The Woodwind & Brasswind sells a sound reflector for the mic stand. it's in their brass catalogue area for trombone, and it's perfect for sax. it's bigger, clips to the mic stand, and was easier to buy than it would have been for me to make.
just like 1saxman, I appreciate the sound reflector because it's gives me back the actual sound of the horn. it's fast and easy to set up, and always works no matter what the monitor situation. granted, it does block your audience from hearing the actual unadulterated sound of the sax when it's pointing at them. for most amplified situations and most of the audience, this is irrelevant. I think that only another saxplayer cares enough to get in front of the saxplayer to hear the actual sound of the instrument.

[tomsch]

I use a Soundback for gigs where I use a stand mic. Works well where the stage volume is high without requiring a high monitor level. Most the time I use a wireless mic though. A clip on bell reflector would work better for that case.

[Ptrick]

...as an aside I find any reflective material used during practice sessions way too loud. If you really want to develop a nice big sound, try practicing outdoors sometime. It will suck the life blood out of your sound! If you get used to this, when you go back indoors it is a real eyeopener...

[tomsch]

Great point! Playing outside really teaches you to blow THROUGH the horn.

[1saxman]

That is a fact! If you can sound good outdoors, you'll sound good anywhere. I don't recommend the sound mirror type device for practice. It is only needed in conditions where you wouldn't be able to hear yourself play without it or a great monitor system. These are the conditions that working players are faced with. The 'In Your Ear' monitor system is of course the answer for those who play with the same group all the time, but it's not something you can carry to side gigs or jams.