I kind of treat it like a kick drum with a hole cut in the head. I take a D112 or an ATM25 and start with it "peering" into the hole, then move it in or out until you find the best spot.

Jeez, it kind a sounds a lot like sex, now that i think of it...

By the way, when recording any unfamiliar instrument, it never hurts to ask the player what they recommend for mic'ing techniqes. A lot of times they have had a lot of studio experience and can give you some good ideas. They'd rather you be honest about your inexperience than to try and BS your way through the session.

In the spirit of not being too proud to admit my ignorance, Jay, what's an "interociter" anyway?

Thanx for your reply, good advice too.
there is so much I learn hanging out here, it's great
You are the first person to pick up on our studio having an interociter. We are so proud of it.
Its actually from a really bad.. I mean really bad Sci Fi movie "this island earth". And I thought I would list it and see if any one picked up on it.
You win the door prize
Peace and thanx again
J

Originally posted by NoteFarm:
Hi to all my Sound Gurus,

I have a job where I might need to record a Cajon.
Any advice on Mic postion and placement would be very welcome.
Thanx in advance.
Peace
NoteFarm

2 mics. One in front for the slap and one in the rear near the hole. A D112 (as mentioned above) doea work well; or a 421, I've used U87's as well. I wouldn't stick it in the hole, nore even directly on axis with it. Instead, at about a 45 degree angle pointing towards the hole, maybe six inches away.
On the front. A few inches below the top of the box aiming at where there hands slap. This is the "snare" spot. A 451, C12, or any other bright condenser is good here...but I've had success with sm57's & sm7's.
Check phase between the two. Sounds like a ghetto kick and snare when it's right.

Coolio,
Recorderman thanx for the heads up on the 2 mic method, and the mic recomendations.
Thanx
J

I should have also mentioned that I was using a pair of overheads to pick up other percussion instruments that were being played simultaneously. They may well have functioned like the front mic that recorderman mentioned.

Anyway, given a choice between listening to me, or listening to Recorderman, even I wouldn't listen to me! :D

Originally posted by littledog, jr.:
Anyway, given a choice between listening to me, or listening to Recorderman, even I wouldn't listen to me! :D

Not even....
Recording is the perfect example of the ends justify the means. If it sounds good then whatever you did was "right".