best way to mic percussion?

[lilcapn]

specifically shakers, maracas, small gongs, tibetan "singing bowls...

it seems kind of like an afterthought (compared to micing a kit) but then to do it well isn't so easy!

anyone have experience with this?

thanks!
mac

 

[Shailat]

You have to split them into 2 groups.
Hand drums and the shaker tambourine type.

You asked specificly for the shaker type so - I prefer a small dia condenser.

Aim it right at the instrument - on axsis. Don't get to close to the instrument and pull back a bit. If you are to close you will run into several problems like, proximity effect and instrument noise or lose of depth and resonance or distortion.
Look for a dry room and not a live one.

Simple as that.

 

[Digital Reason]

If its just one or two different types of percussion and I have some extra tracks at the end of the session I would over-dub with a pair of good mics set up in stereo (or better yet a stereo microphone) and just have the musician play in the "Live Area" I find this gives a nice sound. A tambourine and a shaker player side by side recorded with a pair of stereo mics could be interesting, but then the down side is when you have more than one player you have to adjust the levels and the stereo placement of the percussion by moving the performers closer and further from the mics, you know, you wouldn't be able to adjust seperate levels in the mix so better track it to your liking.

Jeff
Saunavation Audio Productions