recording didgeridoo

[didgman]

I am a total newbie, and would appreciate any input!!! I've read a lot here and have lots of ideas, but would sure appreciate some more learned advice.

My present setup: Currently for mics I have a Shure 57 and AKG c1000s. I'll be going into a fostex digital recorder, and have a presonus blue max for compression.

Has anyone had success recording didgeridoo? It seems a difficult instrument to capture, having a low fundamental drone, lots of mid vocal range sounds, trumpet toots and lots of rich harmonics in the high end.

A couple specific questions:

- signal path; should I go through a transformer into the blue max, or put the compressor in the effects loop of the recorder? ( the fostex has phantom power, the blue max doesn't)

-Compression settings to start with?

-Anything else?

 

[PowerCouple]

sorry...

sorry, I can´t help you...
I don´t know that much, but I would like to ask you: If you can capture that sound could you send me a single note loop?
We´ve been looking for a didgeridoo sound to make a MIDI instrument, but we can´t find any on the web....

Thank you!

PC

 

[Wallycleaver]

c1000 at a small distance, say a few feet. I wouldn't put a compressor while tracking. Didg is a pretty smooth instrument, so a compressor would kill and dynamics that are there. Try it live! That was tough. Used a 57 duct taped to a chunk of foam taped to the stage.

 

[dmuzz]

Just a tip with recording Didj

Try using a mic to capture the natural breathing sound of the mouth at the top of the didj if you have a spare track. Sound very intimate

I agree with Wally, I wouldn't compress whilst tracking. In fact I would compress a didj much at all.

 

[h kuhn]

Hi,
as with most brass instruments, I would try to put the mic 45°-90° off axis in front of the soundhole (bell), experiment also with moving the mic away perpendicular to the airstream. Distance is a matter of taste, and I would first try the c1000 (though I don't think it is a very good choice. Get an mc012 with omni head). You would need another mic to capture what is emitted by your mouth cavity and throat, but I wouldn't go to close to avoid the ugly breathing nioses (slurp).
BTW I play flügel, tpt, tb, a bit french horn and didge, when I can get my hands on one...
greez
Harald