6 Best Wireless Saxophone Microphones in 2023

Saxophones are versatile instruments that have been around for centuries – various genres, including jazz, classical, and pop music use them to add flavor to the mix. As technology advances, saxophonists have discovered the wonders of wireless microphones, which work perfectly to amplify their sound and enhance their performances. This review will explore the five best wireless saxophone microphones available today. There are several factors to consider when choosing a saxophone microphone:

1. The type of saxophone. Soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones have different tonal qualities and require different types of microphones.
2. The environment in which you’ll use it. If the musician is performing in a noisy environment, a directional microphone that can isolate the sound of the saxophone from background noise would be ideal.

In this article, we’ll review five wireless saxophone microphones that have been carefully selected based on their quality, versatility, features, sound quality, and ease of use. And finally, we’ll provide a complete buying guide to help you decide when buying a wireless saxophone microphone. Let us begin!

1. TA6 Dual Microphone

Starting with the high-end options, the TA6 dual sax microphone from AMT (Applied Microphone Technology) is an option every pro should consider. This is an incredibly versatile system that adapts to all the different types of saxophones and wireless systems from different brands. It’s also highly convenient and comfortable to clip onto the instrument, and since you can use it with a wireless setup, you can avoid the hassle of using cables without losing sound quality. It’s perfect for several situations because it picks up crystal-clear sound regardless of where you’re playing. Additionally, we recommend that you use it with the Q7 wireless system because they work amazingly well together. The Q7 comes with advanced features such as auto-scan for available frequencies, which makes setting it up with your system very easy. The only drawback you might find about this option is its price. It’s the priciest device you’ll find on the list – but it also provides the best sound quality!

Pros:

• Outstanding professional sound quality
• Fairly easy to use and set up
• Compatible with wireless systems from different brands, including Shure, Sennheiser, and Sabine
• Versatile design that can adapt to the different types of saxophones

Cons:

•  The highest price tag on this list

This is, without a doubt, the best microphone you’ll find on this list. However, if you already have a wireless system, you can check if they are compatible with their website.

Quantitative Measurement

• Quality: 8/10
• Versatility: 10/10
• Features: 9/10
• Sound quality: 10/10
• Ease of use: 9/10

2. DPA 4099 Microphone

Slightly behind is the DPA 4099 condenser instrument mic. As you can guess from its name, this one is a mic you can use with different instruments, so if you play more than one you’ll get much more value out of it. DPA does an amazing job with their shop – you can modify your order to get the SPL loud, which provides the most compatible sound profile to use with saxophones. Additionally, you can change the included clip for an instrument-specific clip that will attach perfectly to your sax, and allow you to play comfortably without it dangling around.

As for the build, this mic is one of the most durable ones you can get on this list – being even slightly better than the one above to withstand heavy usage. Still, its sound quality, although close to the AMT mic, falls behind a little bit. This one is not as good to mute out the sound of different loud instruments, like drums, around it. That makes it a bit worse to use it in gigs – if you plan to use it to record in a treated room, it will work perfectly. Finally, its price is very close to the one above, so it doesn’t earn any points in that regard, either.

Pros:

• Better suited to use with different instruments
• It can be used with different types of saxophones, too
• It’s compatible with several types of wireless systems
• It comes with an XLR adapter, a 1.6mm extension cable, and a saxophone clip

Cons:

• It’s just as pricey as the first pick
• It doesn’t sound as good as the first pick

The DPA 4099 is a top pic. It’s been used in professional and semi-pro settings successfully. However, compared to the ATM mic on top, the DPA falls a bit short in terms of sound quality. If you happen to care more about durability, this is the mic for you.

Quantitative Measurement

• Quality: 10/10
• Versatility: 10/10
• Features: 8/10
• Sound quality: 8/10
• Ease of use: 9/10

3. ISOLO LITE Saxophone Wireless System

The ISOLO Lite microphone is an interesting addition to this list because it’s one of the most ready-to-use options for gigs, solo playing, and more. The mic is very lightweight and completely wireless. It comes with a wireless receiver with frequency and volume adjustment, which is great if you want to have adjustment options on the go. The mic itself is rechargeable and lasts up to 7 hours of use, while only taking 2 hours to recharge. Also, it offers decent sound quality and is much cheaper than the ones above. The only downside of this mic is that the receiver is not rechargeable – you must plug it in for it to work, which adds unwanted cables to the mix. Even though that’s the case, this mic is among the top choices if you need versatility, good sound quality, and a lightweight setup.

Pros:

• Very lightweight microphone
• It’s easy to use and install
• The receiver has several sound adjustment options that can come in handy
• The mic is rechargeable
• It’s cheaper than the ones above
• It comes with everything you might need out of the box

Cons:

• The receiver is not wireless or rechargeable
• It provides decent sound – the ones above sound much better
• It’s not very durable

The ISOLO Lite is a good choice if you’re a musician on the go. It provides good sound quality, it’s affordable, it comes with the receiver and everything you’ll need out of the box, and it gives you sound adjustment options. If you don’t want the absolute best quality, and your main focus is the ease of use and comfort, this one is a great choice.

Quantitative Measurement

• Quality: 7/10
• Versatility: 8/10
• Features: 9/10
• Sound quality: 6/10
• Ease of use: 9/10

4. Shure BETA 98H/C

Even though it’s rather low on the list, Shure is a brand you’ll always see when it comes to sound. The Shure BETA line of mics is an excellent choice for musicians who want to get the best sound quality possible. The 98H/C is a clear example of the quality you can get from this brand. There are two versions of this mic, the Beta 98 H/C and the WB98 H/C (the latter being wireless). You must pick the one you prefer when buying it, so make sure to pick the wireless version. The wireless version is compatible with wireless bodypack transmitters (it has a 4-pin mini connector).

The sound provided by this mic is clear and natural. Why is it so down on this list? Because Shure mics don’t usually have the best compatibility across brands, which means you must buy their bodypack transmitters and other equipment to get the best results. So, even though this is one of the cheapest mics on this list, the final price, once you get all the equipment, is going to be much higher. If the price isn’t a problem, you’ll be getting a mic that offers excellent sound, build quality and durability, and ease of use.

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality
• High-quality build – it’s an incredibly durable mic!
• Great price (for the mic alone)
• Easy to use and clip on to instruments

Cons:

• You must get other Shure equipment to achieve the best quality, which increases the final price of the overall wireless setup

Quantitative Measurement

• Quality: 9/10
• Versatility: 5/10
• Features: 7/10
• Sound quality: 9/10
• Ease of use: 9/10

5. NUX B-6 Wireless Saxophone Microphone System

The NUX B-6 is an excellent wireless device designed specifically for saxophonists. It operates on a frequency band of 2.4 GHz, ensuring clear and accurate sound signals without interference from other devices. The microphone has an audio quality that captures high-fidelity sound. It has an operating range of up to 67 feet, making it ideal for large performance venues. It also has a frequency response of 20 Hz–20 kHz, capturing all the nuances of the saxophone’s complex sound.

It has a low latency of less than 4ms, ensuring no delay between the musician’s performance and the sound being transmitted to the receiver. It comes equipped with an auto-sleep mode that activates after 10 minutes without operation, which is pretty efficient to preserve battery life. The built-in battery provides up to 7 hours of playing time. Additionally, the power case has a battery capacity of 3000mAh and can charge both the transmitter and receiver, extending the battery life. Finally, it’s lightweight and easy to transport. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for saxophonists who want a high-quality wireless microphone with advanced features, good sound quality, and ease of use.

Pros:

• The 2.4GHz frequency ensures clear and accurate sound without interferences
• It’s easy to use and transport
• It has an amazing battery life
• It’s the cheapest one you can get on this list!

Cons:

• It’s not the best-sounding mic on the list
• It’s not as durable as the others

This mic is just as good as the ISOLO Lite in terms of sound quality but without the fancy sound adjustment options. That makes it much cheaper and easier to use. It’s also much more versatile because the receiver operates without phantom power. Finally, it’s the most lightweight and easy-to-use mic on the list. It’s not the best-sounding device, but it will get the job done!

Quantitative Measurement

• Quality: 7/10
• Versatility: 8/10
• Features: 9/10
• Sound quality: 6/10
• Ease of use: 9/10

6. Hollyland Lark M1

Although the Hollyland Lark M1 is not specifically made for recording musical instruments, such as a saxophone, you can still count on it for various reasons. The Hi-Fi sound trait ensures a clear and crisp regeneration of your saxophone’s rich sounds, capturing each note with exceptional fidelity. This is an essential characteristic for musicians who demand audio accuracy during their performance. 

The HearClear noise-cancelation in Lark M1 improves your audio experience by diminishing background noise and offering cleaner and highly focused audio. This feature is advantageous for all types of saxophonists who usually perform in different environments, such as live shows, where undesired ambient noises can distract the listening experience. 

Likewise, the 16-bit/48kHz audio resolution is a benchmark to the Hollyland Lark M1’s promise of professional-grade, high-quality audio recording. This resolution makes sure that every tiny detail of notes is recorded, which results in amazing audio output optimal for both studio recordings and live performances. Besides the audio quality, the Lark M1 allows you to walk around the entire stage without losing audio signals. Cheers to the 650ft extended wireless distance that crashes your isolation in front of the audience and lets you interact wirelessly without being bounded by the cables.

Pros: 

• There is no audio dropout
• It offers negligible latency with high quality audio
• The noise reduction feature is extremely effective
• No signal weakness is noticed during long-distance transmission
• The charging case simultaneously charges all units (transmitters and a receiver)

Cons:

• To use the mic with a saxophone, you must clip it correctly in an area that doesn’t interfere with your playing

Despite not being a typical saxophone microphone, the Hollyland Lark M1 is one of the best choices to record high-quality instrument sounds wirelessly.

Quantitative Measurement

• Quality: 8/10
• Versatility: 10/10
• Features: 9/10
• Sound quality: 10/10
• Ease of use: 9/10

Comparison Table

Table Breakdown:

The TA6 Dual microphone received the highest overall score with an average of 9.2 out of 10. It scored particularly well in versatility and sound quality, both of which received a perfect score. The DPA 4099 microphone also received high marks with an overall score of 9. It scored perfectly in quality and versatility but received slightly lower scores in features and sound quality. The ISOLO LITE, Shure BETA 98H/C, and NUX B-6 mics tied with an overall score of 7.8. The ISOLO LITE scored highest in features and ease of use, while the Shure BETA 98H/C scored highest in quality and sound quality. The NUX B-6 scored consistently across all criteria but did not excel in any area.

Conclusion

The top two microphone choices on this list are the best ones you can get if you’re serious about sound quality and will use them in a professional setting. However, it’s worth noting that, regardless of the use you will give any of the mics used here, you must always consider the quality of the environment you’ll be playing in. Preparing a room with soundproofing, recording without other instruments around you, and using the right amplifier setup can all improve the quality of sound you can achieve. In those scenarios, even the cheapest of mics can provide excellent sound quality. Not a single mic on this list is perfect in that sense. With that said, if you plan to perform in a semi-professional setting or you just want better sound quality, going with the ISOLO Lite or the NUX B6 is a good idea. Did you find the right mic for you?

FAQs

1. What Is a Wireless Saxophone Microphone?

A wireless saxophone mic lets players move around without being tied to a wired mic. It sends sound wirelessly from a transmitter on the sax to a receiver connected to speakers or an amp.

2. How Does a Wireless Saxophone Microphone Work?

The mic changes the sax’s sound into radio waves, which are sent to the receiver. The receiver turns the waves back into sounds that can be made louder with amplifiers.

3. Can a Wireless Saxophone Microphone Be Used With Other Instruments?

Yes, the mic can be used with other instruments. Some systems let musicians switch between different transmitters and receivers. Although the quality of the sound might not be the best depending on the instrument, some of the mics we mentioned can function with other instruments.