Recording djembe

[getreel]

I've recorded djembe a few times with a 57 on top and a 421 on bottom. The 421 was just aimed at the opening and not inside the drum. I was able to blend the two to sound great!

[Rigsby]

If you have them, try a second pair of mics the length of the djembe away from each end, it's usually the top mic i mix in a little and leave out the bass but you may like both. From the close top mic you get the detail and from the mic further away you get more of the ring and sense of well, power i guess. I like the stereo overheads suggestion too, i'll have to try that, thanks.

[cgarges]

I've recorded lots of djembe, too. I've sort of got two favorite techniques:

If I really need the bottom and sub stuff to come through, I'll put a mic on the top head (my favorites have been a 421 and a KM84) and one down near the opening. Nothing for the bottom mic has been a close second to a FET47, but other mics that have worked just fine are the AT4047 and the Beyer M88. For this, I prefer recording over a wood floor or surface, if I have the option.

The most "natural-sounding" and controllable technique I've found is a simple AT 4050 in caridioid on the side of the shell. For some reason this, to me, sounds the most like the drum with a nice, not-too-boomy bottom end.

I don't have much experience with most of the mics you have available, but hopefully this will be of some help.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

[MoreSpaceEcho]

chris, how close did you have the 4050?

[cgarges]

8"-1' maybe. Not too close, but close enough to get it sounding close, you know?

Chris

[MoreSpaceEcho]

Not too close, but close enough to get it sounding close

well put.