Mixing Banjo

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aaronmcoleman

aaronmcoleman

The truth is out there!
I am working on getting a better banjo sound. So far I'm recording with a Fathead into an API preamp, a little EQ to get the mids under control and tame some of the highs, then compressing it kinda like a snare to keep the percusiveness. It's going into a mix with just an acoustic, vocals, and some harmonicas. The sound is ok, and I can use it and certainly improve upon it.

Any tips, how do you guys do banjos for bluegrass sorta music?

Thanks!
 
The best way I've found to mix banjo is similar to the way I approach bagpipes...

With the mute button. :laughings:

Cheers :)
 
haha. Thanks. I figured this thread would be at least half banjo bashing responses.
 
aaronmcoleman said:
haha. Thanks. I figured this thread would be at least half banjo bashing responses.
Click to expand...

Yeah. But which half?

Never forget that a Banjo is a drum. A lot of people do. Its also a really stringy sounding guitar. I get some killer banjo sounds by micing the peghead. Yeah you heard that right. Its really one of those instruments that you have to spend some time listening to in your room. Conventional isnt going to cut it so the ears have to do the bulk of the work. Another interesting spot is parallel to the head right above the strap button at the end. You sweep the head in increments to find the right angle.

I use only SDC's and like the really honest ones. No hype. It figures a slightly dark ribbon would work but isnt the API a little aggressive? I'm just sayin.....Changing the head also makes a huge difference in tone and focus.
 
Yeah the API may be too much, but I started micing the banjo like a snare. I started with an SM57, and tried a number of other things. I've just kinda settled on the API. I could try a Neve style pre, or something more transparent and see how it works. I thought the API/banjo would be a nice compliment to the Neve/Guitar. I'll mess with it some more.

My favorite mic placement so far has been over the shoulder aimed sorta toward the neck joint about 18-24" away from the banjo. It's not great, but it's getting there.

Thanks for the tips.
 
Transparent is the way for pure banjo sound. For something that is , perhaps, more of a 'banjo-like' representation of the instrument, then anything is fair game. Add a overdrive to an internal mic (if it has one) add a sim program....its endless.

But real banjo will be clean and out of the way as far as the preamp goes. Grace, True Systems, John Hardy etc.... I use a John Hardy or the True Systems with SDC's. I like the AT4041's as they have a very deep soundfield and no hype. I also use the Chi Systems ADK's with a tight cardioid cap.

The over the shoulder technique should work well. Another thing....and this is dependent on the instrument, is to take the resonator off and record it from the front.
 
I just finished tracking a new song with the banjo in it this morning. Hopefully I'll be able to mix it and throw it up in the mp3 clinic tonight.

I'm going for a natural banjo sound, nothing weird. I used an over the shoulder with NT5 omni into an API, then compressed to bring out the rhythm. It sounds kinda roomy, but other than that I think it's getting better. I should have used the cardioid, but I have really been liking the omni lately. If I end up re-tracking it I'll try the cardioid through my RNP and some compression from the RNC.

I'm still learning with banjo, so I'll try anything. Thanks.
 
I wouldn't call API preamps "aggressive". They are great across the board; meaty enough for rock and roll but subtle enough for classical.

In any case, I don't think preamp choice is as critical here as microphone choice and placement, along with the instrument and it's temperament.

Cheers :)
 
True, I never really understood what was aggressive about the API. I use it for all kinds of stuff. The Neves are definitely smoother and warmer (whatever those words mean), but I think either one can be used for a wide range of sources.
 
I record a lot of banjo tracks, and have used AKG 414's, AKG 535 EB's, and Beta 57's. I prefer the Beta 57's placed at the resonator ring for most tracks.
 
Cool. Thanks. I tried an SM57 at the ring and it sounded too up front, but most of the rest have been too roomy, so maybe I'll go back and try that again and see how it goes.
 
aaronmcoleman said:
Cool. Thanks. I tried an SM57 at the ring and it sounded too up front, but most of the rest have been too roomy, so maybe I'll go back and try that again and see how it goes.
Click to expand...

I prefer the Beta57 over the original which sounds too midrangy for my taste. If it is too upfront try placing the capsule inside the ring, which I think mellows it some.
 
I played with it some yesterday...still not perfect...but I really like the 57 right under where the neck and body join, aimed up at a 45 degree angle. It seems to have a nice balance of percussiveness, tone, and generally a good overall sound for the banjo.

Oh, and I also took the back off. The back was giving it a really nice tone in person, but recorded it was competing with the guitar too much, and gave too much of a warm mid range sound.
 
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