Recording percussion instruments

[Ryan Toca]

Hello,

I play in a percussion ensemble and would like a few tips on making recordings of our work. We are all play are instruments well, but are newbies when it comes to recording. I've bought an entry level portable studio and I would like a few tips on starting out. We play mostly percussion, including 2 sets of congas, dejembe and all the smaller percussion instruments. We also have a fiddle player and a bass player (double and electric). What I need to know really is in what order to start recording, drums first then strings? This may sound like a stupid question, but any help would be very appreciated. Also, what type of mics should I be using for both strings and drums? We have been using a mini disc to send each other ideas as we are all stretched out across the south of England, is it possible to use a mini disc with a porta studio? We are not looking to make very high quality recordings, just to make recordings of ideas and tracks to send to each other, mainly the bass player and fiddle player as they are very busy.

Thanks

Ryan

[nick6572]

I would suggest conga drums first with the bass player if you have enough imput channels. This would lay down the fundamental rhythm and feel of the piece.Then you can layer on other drums and hand instruments with the strings last. As for mics I would go with Shure SM57's which are very versatile and with a pair of overheads like the MXL 603's you could record several instruments at the same time. Not sure about your portastudio/mini disc question. Portastudio is a four channel tape and is your mini disc is a two channel disc right?? If your asking if you can dub one to the other I dont think you would ever get them in sync.

[Ryan Toca]

Hi,
thanks for the help nick I'll copy off your reply and check out the mics. The mini disc does work and the sound quality isn't to bad, I tried it last night with a Salsa track we made the other night and with a little tweaking it worked well enough. I wanted to use the mini disc as somtimes only two or three of us get together and then send discs to each other, I added shaker, agogo bells and clave parts to the track last night and it all worked well enough.

Thanks again

Ryan