Recording a cajon

  • Thread starter Thread starter guitar zero
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guitar zero

guitar zero

c = b#
This is a repost from the microphone thread:
I'm going to be recording some cajon tracks. I only have two input channels, so I can only record two mics simultaneously, and have the following mic choices.

Studio Projects B3
Shure Beta 58
AT 3035
Audix i5

Looking for guidance regarding mic choice and placement, compression vs. no compression, EQing etc.

Anyone with any experience in this area?

Thanks

Zero
 
I've only recorded a cajun in a live setting and in that case we simply slapped an SM 57 in front of the front surface (the surface that is slapped by the drummer).

A cajun does not generate a ton of volume, so you don't really have to worry about a lot a pressure hitting the mic - and the variance in high frequncy vs. low frequency is not so huge that you have to worry about special mics (such as may be needed for a kick drum).

For all practical purposes, I think a cajun would be mic'd much the same way you would mic a conga (close mic the batter surface - maybe 6" from the contact area). It's really a mono sound source - so one mic will do. I would think any of the mics you listed would be able to get the job done. Naturally, if you have a nice sounding room, then you would maybe want to also capture some room sound - in which case a condensor mic - perhaps 2-3 feet from the source (mixed in with the close mic).

Compression - since this is not an overly loud instrument - you may not need to compress at all. EQ - you may need no EQ unless you need to make room in a mix (as an example is there is also a drum kit in the mix). If you do EQ - you would likely focus on the same frequences as a mounted tom.
 
I've played Cajun live and had it miked from the back with a '57 but I've recorded with one. I would probably use 2 mics if you've got the facility and bleeding isn't an issue; one in the back, one out front, probably the i5 and AT 3035 from the list above...
 
My take

I've mic'ed a cajon and I treated it the same way that I would mic a riqq (arabic tamborine) Mikeh is correct that it doesn't produce a whole lot of volume so you aren't worried about high SPL's, so I used a cardiod SDC and got real nice round sound from it. A SM 57 will of course work because an SM 57 will work on anything, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
 
Better Cajons

Elton Bear said:
I've played Cajun live and had it miked from the back with a '57 but I've recorded with one. I would probably use 2 mics if you've got the facility and bleeding isn't an issue; one in the back, one out front, probably the i5 and AT 3035 from the list above...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input from everyone. I'll probably try all your suggestions and let you know which works the best.

Elton Bear, which mic out front?

Thanks again

Zero
 
I meant respectively, therefore i5 in the back port hole (if there is one) and AT 3035 in front of the playing surface. However, as I say, it's not something I'm experienced in; I was just making suggestions :)
 
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