how do you mic the cajon?

Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:38 pm

hi all,
i need to record a cajon solo session at my home studio. the room 18' L x 22' W x 11' H
i have at my disposal a portico 5012 2-channel pre, personus firepod pre and the following mics:

At4040
sm 57
rode nt5 (matched pair)
mxl v67

your advice in mic placement and mic choice(s) is very much appreciated .

Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:00 pm

I have miked a cajon live with a SM58 just a little in the back hole and this was awesome!!! Try this...!!!!

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:30 am

I've never recorded one, but have miced a few on stage. I always use two mics: one in the hole and one pointing at the soundboard at the front. Last time I used a Sennheiser MD515 'Stick Grenade' in the hole, and a Beyer M201 round the front, which worked very well... but a couple of '57s would probably do the job.

If I had to record one I would probably do the same, unless I had a great room and a quality omni..

I suggest the 4040 in the hole, and an NT5 round the front. If one of them sounds wrong try swapping it for the 57.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:55 pm

if you put a shure 91 inside the cajon it should sound great...

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:26 pm

thank you all for taking the time to reply.

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:22 am

Ask the cajon player if he has any preferances when he records? If he has recorded previously he might have some insite. I have asked a few cajon players what they prefered and they usually said a 58 at the sound hole. I have never done this myself FYI. Good luck.

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