condenser microphone type for conga drums recordin - condenser microphone

[andre]

hello Everybody

Can somebody help me to chose the condenser microphone type for conga drums recording?
I got a question about microphone type that ware used on the linked
below movies.

Nr.1. Giovanni Hidalgo - Suite For Congas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp2ajoMLM7M
good overview you can take from 1.55 to 2.08 min.

Nr 2. Giovanni Hidalgo - Son En Las Altoras
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de02O6cXDWY&feature=related
ood overview you can take from 3,20 to 3,30 min.


In movies nr 1 and 2 , Its look like a condenser microphones, but I
would like to know the exactly type of it and the manufacturer.

I am asking because in my own studio I am using for each conga drum the akg c416 condenser microphones and dynamic shure beta 57A.
I had found that the sound that is taken by bigger condenser
microphones like these from movies above give absolutely better sound
quality ten my small akg.

meaby some of you can recomend any other condenser microphone for conga recording? I am looking for the profesional solution, not low budget.


And another think also about the microphones.
Do somebody know if the microphones used in the movie :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbyIv9n_-d0

are the shure beta 56A ? (spec. Here: http://www.shure.com/ProAudi....content )

its look very similar but I am not sure..

thanks in advance for your help

andre

[Gallichio]

Hello
I still like the SM57 for congas it is not a condenser but sounds great. I also use a Samson CL7 condenser placed overhead it sounds really good.

[JimG]

I would venture a guess that the are Neumann mics. They might be U87 or U67. Very high end and very expensive German mics. $2500 and up for some. I'm not certain though.
Cheers,
Jim

[zumbi]

peace&blessings
the mics you see in the giovanni's videos are neumann U87 a staple studio microphone used generally for vocals and solo instruments.
it is available in various options (i am not sure which one is in the video as they all look the same from outside)
it is one of the classic neumanns that has been produced for years and it is still in production (although some prefer vintage models, as it is often the case)
once you decide a large diaphram condenser is what you like, the choices are many:
neumann's "entry level" the tlm103 is a very good mic as well and so are the less expensive rode's (expecially the ntk tube condenser mic)
the akg 414 is another classic choice and all those microphones are good to have in a studio since they can be used in a variety of applications
the ones you see in the giovanni's home video looks like the sure 56 and are definetely dynamic small diaphram mics: a whole different animal



Edited By zumbi on 1200667605

[zaragenca]

I did an article about it a few years ago in relation to the subject,.....'Miking for Percussion'..Dr. Zaragemca

[andre]

hi
Thanks for your responce!

to zaragenca: Where should I look for your article? could you pleas mail some link or whole article.

I had use goole, but find only few words posted by your person in deferent forums.

andre



Edited By andre on 1201039025

[Whopbamboom]

I only have two mics so far...

1) Shure Beta 57A (supercardioid dynamic)
2) Audio-Technica AE2500 dual-element kick-drum (has dynamic and cardioid condensor elements)

Obviously there are many more mics to pick up for my percussion setup!
I have not yet used the mics to see how they work for various drums, but I will post on the forum if I have anything to report.

I would also like to read what Dr. z wrote... where can I read it?

[goingquinto]

I'm really liking my Audix D2's. They are basically the same mic as an SM57, but the body of the mic is shorter. It seems like they have a little less bleed in than the SM57, also. I should say that I'm no sound tech or anythiing, but I think they give a really nice sound for a decent price in a small, durable package. They do cost a little more than the SM57, but not by much.

[jorge]

Andre and others,
Probably more important than the exact model of condenser or dynamic mic is how the mics are set up and a variety of other factors. For example, in Geovanni's Suite for Congas that you referenced on YouTube, the sound of the congas is great. The mics are super high end, but the mic on his right hand conga is too far from the drum, or gain is set too low, and it sounds much softer than the other 2 congas. Also, I would say the great sound of his congas is 90% Geovanni's hands and brain, and maybe 10% a combination of his drums/skins/tuning/mic/mic placement/mic preamp/EQ/studio acoustics/mixing/mastering/other factors. If you are thinking of springing for U87s or other high end mics, make sure your other factors are up to par as well. For the rest of us mortals, Shure SM57, Sennheiser MD421-II, Sennheiser e604, Sennheiser e904, Earthworks TC30K (or any Earthworks omni), or a variety of other dynamic and condenser mics mentioned above or not yet mentioned all work fine when set up properly. For field recording, I have found the Rode NT4 sounds great on congas, although not so great on vocals. The NT4 is an XY coincident crossed cardioid stereo condenser mic that can run on battery power or phantom power. A lot of studios use the Sennheiser MD421-II for congas.