Vandoren Clarinet Mouthpiece Sound Comparison: BD4, BD5, BD7, and B40L

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I tested each model with excerpts that include scales, Brahms 2nd Sonata, and Beethoven 6 Mvt. 1. Tested on a Vandoren V12 3.5 reed (the same reed was used throughout the tests).
Scales (slurred and tongued):
BD4: 0:04
BD5: 0:21
BD7: 0:37
B40L: 0:55
Brahms 2nd Sonata Mvt. 1:
BD4: 1:12
BD5: 1:35
BD7: 1:57
B40L: 2:19
Beethoven 6 Mvt. 1 Solo:
BD4: 2:43
BD5: 3:04
BD7: 3:27
B40L: 3:49
My general thoughts:
The BD4 and BD7 had a nice sound, but I felt the BD7 was somewhat hard to control for my liking and was challenging to find the right "core." The BD5 suffered from articulation issues and sounded brittle, which was a common complaint when it first came out. The B40L was used as a benchmark; it felt the most "normal" out of all 4 but suffered from some response issues. Note that tuning on all the BD models is very different than the standard Vandoren blanks and will take some getting used to.
I will say my personal preference was the BD4 and B40L, but I would need to try in a hall to compare.
Recorded with two Kel HM-3C's into an Audiofuse Studio.

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31 дек 2020

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Комментарии : 33

3 года назад

BD7 sounds most open and round for my ears. I personally don't hear any difference between other mouthpieces. It is surely hard to hear it even with the good microphone. Live sound is for me the only way to REALY hear the subtle differences in the sound. Anyway, thx for sharing this video! :)

@savesthedave845 3 года назад

Bd5. Had the clearest,pure tone. Very focused sounding. Great articulation. The b40 was a close second for me

@batsai 3 года назад

Sounding good Eddie!

@EddieSundraMusic 3 года назад

Thanks John! Really appreciate it, hope you're doing well!

@klarinetta 3 года назад

BD7 by far. Crisp,lyrical and expressive.

@orlandopimentel4459 3 года назад

I agree with you, B40L and BD4 are my picks.

@rloomis3 3 года назад

I liked the BD5 the most, with the exception of the Beethoven excerpt, where I hear what you mention about it being "brittle;" there, I preferred the BD4. Otherwise, I thought the 5 had just a bit more "ring" than the 4. The B40L consistently sounded like it had more resistance -- I could almost feel the back pressure as I listened. Of course, how it feels to play them (response, etc.) is a crucial criterion, and only the player can judge that.

@fernie51296 3 года назад

I agree, B40 lyre and BD4. For me, BD5 had absolutely horrible projection in a large concert hall. I honestly don’t know how so many orchestral players use it. Maybe it’s just the rest of my setup. I’m eager to try the BD4, but for now B40 lyre I think is the way to go and this video kinda confirms this more to me.

@hoon8871 Год назад

thanks a lot!

@jimis3167 3 года назад

I think you should use a number 3 with BD7, It would be more fair! 3:40 it seems VERY difficult to keep the airflow going with 3.5!

@davideichler5105 3 месяца назад

You sounded pretty similar overall to me on all these, and I have to wonder if any slight variations are just due to you not being fully acclimated to playing all these, if anyone can be fully acclimated to playing multiple different mouthpieces at the same time. If any of these mouthpieces make you work harder to get what you want after you have been able to spend some time with each of them, that would be a strong indication, though there are of course differences between players too. It doesn't surprise me that the BD7 takes more control, since it is more open and longer than the others. Does that mouthpiece have some advantages, however, if the player is willing to put in the extra work to control it? As far as tuning, are you referring to an overall pitch difference, a difference in the scale (spacing between the pitches), or both?

@MarilynCrosbie Год назад

It takes a very keen ear to hear the subtle differences between these mouthpieces. (As yet, I don't have that skill.)

@clarinet31shanti 3 года назад

BD4 amazing color

@MayfieldCreations 2 года назад

Reading the comments and finding it interesting that I have a different opinion than everyone else. I rank them BD5, BD4, BD7, B40L. Pretty sure the reed should be a half step softer for the BD7 and B40L so it wasn't a true comparison for a player's choice. I think it would be impossible to call if the right strength reeds were used. They all sound pretty decent in the recording.

@JoeTigheOnline Месяц назад

Which did you prefer?

@sinanturan7899 Год назад

Addie, I noticed that you can blow the bd4 much more easily, this mauntpiece suits the clarinet better.

@TheCandidClarinetist 3 года назад

I think I liked the BD7 and the BD4 the most. The lack of control and core you documented for the 7 didn’t come across in the recording. I just don’t care for the 5, never have. The b40 lyre might have the best ring in a hall though, but as you noted, it has some shortfalls.

@EddieSundraMusic 3 года назад

That's how I felt for sure. The BD7 just didn't feel right for me while playing-I'm sure if I used it for a while I'd get used to it, but it definitely is a different beast than the others. I would also experiment with reed strength a bit; the BD4 was a lot less resistant than the BD7 (and B40L but less so). The BD5 I've had for a while, and there's something about how it articulates that I've always found problematic. Isn't the equipment rabbit hole fun?!?

@TheCandidClarinetist 3 года назад

@@EddieSundraMusic I'm looking forward to exploring equipment more on my channel. FWIW I've been playing on the BD4 since April, and I really enjoy it. Blue box 4's work well for me. I've been on blue box reeds for over a year now, as I just can't seem to get any air through the v12s

@danielpike3778 3 года назад

BD4 for me: warm sound, with the most colorful overtones. Needs more embouchure control than BD5. BD7 sounds dead in my ears. BD5, from what It seems for me, that you have to fight with the mouthpiece to connect the notes and make it sound nice. Well, all in all my opinion!! Totally your choice - thanks for sharing and btw - great Brahms :-)

@carloscavalcanti8748 Год назад

👌

@kenzaemig9162 3 года назад

B40L

@jimis3167 3 года назад

What strength V12 you used on BD4,BD7 and B40L? Model of the mics and audio interface used?

@EddieSundraMusic 3 года назад

3.5 v12's, kel hm-3cs with an audiofuse studio

@jimis3167 3 года назад

@@EddieSundraMusic 3.5 V12 also on BD7?? Isn't too heavy?

@EddieSundraMusic 3 года назад

@@jimis3167 Slightly, but I wanted to keep the test as consistent as possible. I would potentially try again with a size 3. Ended up sending the BD7 back, so perhaps another time.

@jimis3167 3 года назад

@@EddieSundraMusic Why you'd end up sending the BD7 back trying with number 3, since It would play more properly and testing would be more fair?? I don't think the 3.5 was slightly heavier, I think for that opening would be unplayable.. It sounded right though from you, I don't know..