Micing a djembe with a studio project B3.

[TLEE1183]

(I posted this on the drum forum and got no replies, I'm hoping that since this forum is a bit more lively, I can get some replies)

Hi guys, I'm trying to record some djembe into my music and have fail getting enough bassy umph! All I'm getting is the sound of the hands hitting the drum and those sound flat and uninteresting, bland, too. All I got right now is a studio projects B3 and a cheap dynamic mic that I don't know where it came from but was laying around my house. I've searched this forum and saw that ppl recommend using 2 mics on top and bottom and that the bottom mic should be able to handle high the SPL produced down there. Is the B3 cut out for that? Or is it better for something like a sm57 (which I'm about to invest in soon)? Are small diaphram condensors like a MXL 603's (which I am also thinking about getting) good for the bass or the top?

 

[EleKtriKaz]

I have had a similar problem recording hand drums. Currently my only mic is the Rode NTK, so I have used that to record bongos and conga on a few different projects. No matter what I do with the mic I get that flat sound that you described. I work around this by using a couple of the Waves plugins. Waves MaxxBass and Renaissance Bass have worked really well for me, as well as the C1 compression plugin. Those three combined with some eq will greatly improve the sound. I'm not sure if you have access to these plugins or something like them, but that's what I use.

 

[c7sus]

Try putting your ear in different locations in the room while the drummer is playing. Where you get the most bass, put the mic there.

I'd start listening near the floor, a couple feet away from the drum. You may find you get the best overall tones about 4-6 feet or more away from the drum.

Also, the bigger the room you can record it in the better. Those low bass drone notes need room for the wavelength. If you're trying to record it in a bedroom I think it's gonna be very difficult to capture that bass.

Hardwood floors are good too.

 

[Paj]

B3 and djembe

(1) What other mics do you have or have access to?

(2) What pattern are you using (cardoid, 8, omni)?

You got great advice on the placement.

(3) (Cardoid) If the floor is not fabric. have you tried angling the mic (4 - 5 ft high), with the capsule facing down and aiming at the spot on the floor directly below the drum?

Paj
8^?

 

[TLEE1183]

(1) What other mics do you have or have access to?

(2) What pattern are you using (cardoid, 8, omni)?

You got great advice on the placement.

(3) (Cardoid) If the floor is not fabric. have you tried angling the mic (4 - 5 ft high), with the capsule facing down and aiming at the spot on the floor directly below the drum?

Paj
8^?

1)just the B3 and a cheap cardiod
2)omni...I think...either omni or cardiod
3)nope...carpeted floors...

you guys think that the B3 is ok enough to place under the djembe?

 

[arcanemethods]

Are you certain there is really that much bass coming from it? While the drum is capable of it, good players use very little. The traditional djembe is played with the center or bass stroke mostly muffed to give a thump rather than a boom. Your description of what you heard matches well the way I hear griots and djembefola's play it.

Mamady Keita, arguably the best player in the world, frequently plays his flat on the ground with the bottom not even vented.


Bob

 

[TLEE1183]

I think I had the hi pass filter on when I recorded. (forgot about that dumb feature ) Because my buddy came over and recorded the djembe track over again and interesting enough I was getting too much bass. I place the B3 a little over the top half of the body, about 1/2 foot to a foot away, while he kinda lifted the djembe and angled the bottom hole to the direction of the mic. I got the bassy umph I wanted but the djembe still sounds kinda eck. I probably need to stick another mic on top to get a full, quality djembe sound. You think a SM-57 on top would work?

Originally posted by arcanemethods
Are you certain there is really that much bass coming from it? While the drum is capable of it, good players use very little. The traditional djembe is played with the center or bass stroke mostly muffed to give a thump rather than a boom. Your description of what you heard matches well the way I hear griots and djembefola's play it.

Mamady Keita, arguably the best player in the world, frequently plays his flat on the ground with the bottom not even vented.


Bob

Hey I'm not one to go against arguably the best djembist in the world. I just need a little umph to drive my song and keep it moving and interesting. That's all. (I'm not looking for like a hip hop thumping bass, but just something subtle but yet you can feel the presence and feel it moving the song. All I got were some weak, slaps that sounded like a lil 5 year old was hitting it and no bass whatsoever. I'm just trying to get a complete sound. Sorry if I came off like all I wanted was bass. I was just missin it. Like a piece of a puzzle.)

 

[MISTERQCUE]

Yo' TLEE, do you live in Jersey City? Do you know Cheryl R.?

I think I know who you are!

 

[TLEE1183]

Nah sorry mr. Q I think you got the wrong dude. I'm from virginia.

 

[Brent Casey]

Hey I'm not one to go against arguably the best djembist in the world. I just need a little umph to drive my song and keep it moving and interesting. That's all. (I'm not looking for like a hip hop thumping bass, but just something subtle but yet you can feel the presence and feel it moving the song. All I got were some weak, slaps that sounded like a lil 5 year old was hitting it and no bass whatsoever. I'm just trying to get a complete sound. Sorry if I came off like all I wanted was bass. I was just missin it. Like a piece of a puzzle.)

Try the SP in omni on the top as close as possible. .
Also, there was a recent thread on rap regarding this. Instead of me paraphrasing everything go there http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...728@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net#link11
There is some interesting discussion of room dynamics. This may point you in the right direction.
Let us know what you find with your recordings.

Brent Casey
PMI Audio Group
877-563-6335

 

[James Argo]

I dunno if it helps, but I've tried SP B1 for hand percussion work before, and I couldn't believe this mic has done one heluva good work for this purpose. B3 is pretty much similiar to B1 IMHO. So yes, you might only need to place the mic on a right spot. If I'm not mistaken, about 1 feet in front above of the djembe (like miking regular singer). Closer the djembe to nearest wall/corner, the more you'll get low end (my room was small anyway )

SM57 is good. It just tend to be more airy (and rather weak) on the same spot. It'll pick up hand hit noises obviously. If you use it, then pull it a little closer to the djembe and cut ~4KHz. IMHO...


Jaymz

 

[MISTERQCUE]

Nah sorry mr. Q I think you got the wrong dude. I'm from virginia.

So sorry!

I got a friend who just bought a djembe and had asked me about micing the drum!