Miking a djembe

  • Thread starter Thread starter Armistice
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Armistice

Armistice

Son of Yoda
Howdy...

Have to put djembe (x 2) into the song I'm working on... well, don't HAVE TO, more WOULD LIKE TO... I have a small one and a mid sized one (about 2 ft high - or is that large? No idea...) and I've never recorded a piece of actual real percussion in my life..

Where to start, and with what? I have a selection of LDC and SDCs to use as well as the trusty SM57 & 58.

Any tips gratefully received.
 
Do you have any other dynamics?

Honestly, I've gotten a great sound out of just micing the bottom of a djembe with a 58. If you don't have something more suited for bassy stuff (Like a D112 or a Beta 52 or something), then a 58 will work just fine. I just stick it in the bottom of it and it usually sounds great.

If you're looking for more slap, then again, you could always mic it up with a nice bright condenser... Or just throw a 57 on it. xD

That's how I usually do mine. Hope it's helpful. =]
 
It's like any acoustic source. Listen to the instrument from different angles and distances. The slap comes from the top and the boom comes from the bottom so you might try a distant mic or two close ones to get all the sound.
 
Have a read of what I said here. Don't get caught up in the complicated ways of doing it that is talked about.

Cheers

Alan.
 
witzendoz said:
Have a read of what I said here. Don't get caught up in the complicated ways of doing it that is talked about.

Cheers

Alan.
Click to expand...


Yup. Top of the djembe = snare type micing and bottom = kick ... Bring on the usual suspects.
 
I tend to agree. Grab some mics and try things out till you find something that will work.
 
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