Recording a Cajon

[AlphabetZebra]

I just got my AKG 112 for the bass instruments! This is a fantastic help for something like a cajon (the box drum for those who don't know).

I stick my bass mic right over the sound hole on the back of the cajon, an Shure/58 right up close to the player's hands on the front and use my condenser mic (AKG perception 220) as a room mic for depth.

I was asked if this was overkill and felt like it was actually terrifically appropriate. One mic for bass, one mic for the "snare" taps and pops of the front and a room mic because I think it makes the sound 10x more complete and full of life. It's undeniably non-computer generated and that's what I want it to sound like.

Anyway, just thought I would share. It sounds great to me, just a little EQ and compression all around and a slight reverb on the room mic. Very nice!

[crizdee]

Originally Posted by AlphabetZebra

I just got my AKG 112 for the bass instruments! This is a fantastic help for something like a cajon (the box drum for those who don't know).

I stick my bass mic right over the sound hole on the back of the cajon, an Shure/58 right up close to the player's hands on the front and use my condenser mic (AKG perception 220) as a room mic for depth.

I was asked if this was overkill and felt like it was actually terrifically appropriate. One mic for bass, one mic for the "snare" taps and pops of the front and a room mic because I think it makes the sound 10x more complete and full of life. It's undeniably non-computer generated and that's what I want it to sound like.

Anyway, just thought I would share. It sounds great to me, just a little EQ and compression all around and a slight reverb on the room mic. Very nice!

Hi,

Thats the best way to give yourself options and if one mic doesn't sound right or doesn't add anything then knock it out and use what does sound good. i assume the mics are on separate tracks!!


Chris

[albee1952]

Not far off of my method either. Beta 52 or D6 a foot from the hole and a 57 or small condenser a foot from the hands. I skip the room mic and just add a touch of room 'verb

[guatamas]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Not far off of my method either

Audix D6 for Bass
SM57 or Audix i5 for "snap" is what we do at our church

[AlphabetZebra]

Originally Posted by crizdee

Hi,

Thats the best way to give yourself options and if one mic doesn't sound right or doesn't add anything then knock it out and use what does sound good. i assume the mics are on separate tracks!!


Chris

Yes of course! I really do like the way different mics catch different vibes and you're right, even if it doesn't sound totally great by itself if it's mixed right it just seems to add to the overall effect.

[tonejunkee]

cajons are sick! get in a great room with a great room mic! The c12a has been my fave on cajon drums

[DonaldM]

Originally Posted by tonejunkee

cajons are sick! get in a great room with a great room mic! The c12a has been my fave on cajon drums

I have to record a Cajon real soon for a project. Unfortunately, I won't be able to do it in my friend's studio where all the great mics are. My studio is really not set up for this sort of thing as 95% of everything I do is synth based. So, I only have 1 mic, as listed below. My thought was to place near the hole. Or would it be better with 1 mic to place near the front? My room is pretty insulted and not very live, so there won't be much in the way of room acoustics anyways.