We recently asked our customers… what’s your favorite mic to record didgeridoo with?
Here are their answers.
Feel free to add your comments, we would all love to learn from your experience.
Dubravko Lupaine has written a well spoken article on his web sight. He talks about using a ribbon mic. A very high end ribbon mic. I tried asking Ondrej Smaykel, unfortunately I had a hard time hearing him at the time. He has a sweet mic, but it’s a performance. I’m not sure, I’ve used my condensor mic just to record on the computer. I put it on my worldwide didj network page. I’m not big time, I don’t have a cd yet, so any suggestions would be well appreciated. I use a clip on shure pro35x.
Barry Sherman
If you use a Shure SM58 then there is a moderate increase in the bass as you move the mic closer to the bell of the didge, and this proximity effect can cause the entire recording to be made “muddy” by overuse, though good results can be obtained. Be sure to monitor the gain (level) as sometimes with didgeridoo, one or two harmonics can distort, even though the overall peak level is not clipping. When I am recording solo didgeridoo and there are no other instrument etc sounds to spill into the microphone, I use an M-Audio Solaris through a valve pre-amp. Very warm, crisp results. The solaris is a multi-pattern condenser mic and I usually place it about 20cm from the didgeridoo’s open end. Live, I stick a ’58 much closer to the end and use the mixer’s bass control to get it right.
Howie Factor
I would only use an SM58 as a last resort. Call around your area and rent or borrow a mic if you have too. SM58 is more of a on a tight budget mid-range mic and you need something to catch all the bass and overtones.
Ron Pruitt
AKG 420 studio mic. sounds unreal
Ryan Chinnery
I recommend a studio a sheneiser 414 to direct sound, and a Lsd2 studio project for room.
Tiago Francisquinho
I haven’t recorded before, except for mucking around with a video camera, but I’ve messed around playing with some mates using a microphone. I purchased a SHURE PG58 which is mainly for vocals, but it seems to do the job well. Next time I’ll try a mic that’s more suited to wind/brass instruments… eg SHURE PG57. I run it through a VOX DA20 battery amp.. So far its all been pretty good.
Brian Clarke
Shure beta 58
Peter Delchev
Rodes NT55’s worked really well for recording this new album “Doğum.” They bring out a nice warm but clear sound for didge.
Pamela Mortensen
OJ Watts I have used a Shure SM58. Again a vox mic but it gives a good range, also sounds very good with a touch of reverb and delay for atmospheric fx.
Believe it or not an old AKG D12.
David Finch
Sennheiser 421 for recording & live, nice round sound and great for live performance too!! Worth every cent you spend on it. Also try ATM350 clip-on (preferably wired instead of wireless) for sliding didges. Does the job too. If you can, experiment with big condensor mics too for room catch coupled with a direct mic on your didge. Have fun!
Rodolphe Gagnon
My Friend &I did produce a Technotrack with my Didgeridoo and my 1 meter Rainstick. It listens very very good. The MIC is an Dolpy-Sorund with SD card-slot.. I will post the Name when i know it.
Gröhling Karsten
Not a pro by any means and only recorded once but I loved the result! 2 mics: one for the left speakers one for the right. By moving the didge btwn and around them as well as balanced in the middle created a mind wiping listening experience!
Nathaniel Snider
Feel free to add your comment, we would all love to learn from your experience.