record a xylophone

bestnottoknow · Post by **bestnottoknow** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:57 pm

hey guys whats the best way to record a record a xylophone and what are the best mic placements

klangtone · Post by **klangtone** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:12 pm

Just checking to see if you mean a Xylophone or a Glockenspiel?

Xylo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylophone

Glock: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glockenspiel

They are often mistaken for one another.

If you're talking Glock, I usually use an LDC up above about 3 or 4 feet. The diaphragm of the mic is usually angled a bit with the whole mic slightly off to the side. Like so kinda:

/

___________________

For a mic pre, I usually go with something with tubes.
You may find that you're getting too much attack. Compression can help that.

Sometimes this method is too "hi-fi". A very different alternative is to go with an SM57. Perhaps miced more centered and away (instead of up and over). Run that guy through a distortion pedal of some sort to get some added sustain and grit.

YMMV,

Roy

digitaldrummer · Post by **digitaldrummer** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:22 pm

Lionel Hampton...

I think that's an old Shure something or another...

I'm Painting Again · Post by **I'm Painting Again** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:41 am

bestnottoknow wrote:hey guys whats the best way to record a record a xylophone and what are the best mic placements

there is no one best way..

you have to record it in a way that sounds good with the other elements of the mix..and according to what you personally want out of the xy sound..

I've had success with ribbon mics, LDC's, & dynamics, compression can work to extend the sustain..close placements and far placements or both can be ideal..it totally depends on the situation..

so what is that going to be like?

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:45 am

digitaldrummer wrote:Lionel Hampton...

I think that's an old Shure something or another...

That's a Vibraphone. A xylophone has wood bars (or synthetic material on newer 'student' models).

cgarges · Post by **cgarges** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:50 am

I love me a Neumann SM2 in Blumlein. Mmmmmmmm.

(I realize that this is a marimba, but it's probably the next closest thing to a xylophone from a xylorimba.)

By the way, here's a xylorimba. The MS setup didn't work too well, so I just recorded it with a mono Beyer M500.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:36 am

cgarges wrote:I love me a Neumann SM2 in Blumlein. Mmmmmmmm.

(I realize that this is a marimba, but it's probably the next closest thing to a xylophone from a xylorimba.)

By the way, here's a xylorimba. The MS setup didn't work too well, so I just recorded it with a mono Beyer M500.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

How'd you record the crotales?

cgarges · Post by **cgarges** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:02 pm

Listened to an AT 4051, but it was a little peaky-sounding in that particular room. Went with this weird little MBHO mic that belonged to Chris Muth. It was pretty cool. Sort of KM84-esque. The crotales sounded great.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

JGriffin · Post by **JGriffin** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:07 pm

Gaa! I used to play crotales with the MSU drumline (among other things). The overtones drove me crazy.

cgarges · Post by **cgarges** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:08 pm

I'd love to own a set. I think they're beautiful instruments when played correctly.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

JGriffin · Post by **JGriffin** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:10 pm

cgarges wrote:beautiful instruments when played correctly.

so that's what the back of your hand looks like.

Jeff White · Post by **Jeff White** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:14 pm

dwlb wrote:
cgarges wrote:beautiful instruments when played correctly.

so that's what the back of your hand looks like.

zing!

japmn · Post by **japmn** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 3:04 pm

I have never recorded one but for live apps. I usually go for a pair of 414s in X/Y or a pair of 81s in a spaced 3/1. It's kind of no frills but for good reason.

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:03 am

cgarges wrote:Listened to an AT 4051, but it was a little peaky-sounding in that particular room. Went with this weird little MBHO mic that belonged to Chris Muth. It was pretty cool. Sort of KM84-esque. The crotales sounded great.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

I should have known what session that was.

JohnDavisNYC · Post by **JohnDavisNYC** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 6:07 pm

aaron, my studio partner, has been doing a session at the bunker today and tomorrow that is vibraphone trio. tim collins is the vibes player, and charlie hunter is playing bass (just bass!) and i am spacing on the drummer... maybe aaron will chime in about how he is recording the vibes... i know there are 2 sets of vibes (one is electric vibes from teh 70's) and upright piano. cool sesh. i will check it out tomorrow and post if aaron doesn't see this thread.

john

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