Recording Native American drum group.. need suggestions.

[AnthonyV]

I have a gig coming up to record an american Indian drum group.

Basically what it consists of is a good sized group of people (maybe like 5-12) sitting around a big drum (like 6' around) each person with a drumstick, all beating in unison and singing.

Its going to be in a gym for a small Pow wow.

Here's what I got:

17" G4 Powerbook w/ Mbox
GR MP2NV
Cranesong HEDD
Lawson L47mp
SP C1
Sm57
Sm58

I was thinking I could use the L47 in omni (through the NV->HEDD>spdif--mbox) to capture the vocals and some of the drum, but I'm not sure if I would be comfortable with that big ole bohemoth mic hanging up in the air over a big drum surrounded by people. I would need a heck of a mic stand and boom (which I don't currently have).

Instead, I thought it might be a good idea to use a blumlein pair for the vocals.. not sure what would work best here. Maybe a couple of SD condensers??

I could use the 57 and 58 for close mics on top and underneath the drum going into the Mbox pres. Or maybe only one close mic and use the C1 as a room/ambient mic.

Anyway, this is my first real location recording. I'm not looking for award winning sound here, just a decent interpretation. Any ideas or advice??

thanks,
Ants

[Bob Olhsson]

The secret is to find a way to get WAY above, up to where the sound from the drum focuses. I'd start with RE-20s at various distances. A back-to-back stereo pair of RE-20s might sound incredible.

[Bixby]

The problem with getting far away is the acoustic of the gym - you're going to get lots of indirect sound.

I once attempted to record a pow wow in a gym with a stereo mic (AT 825). I had to be about 20-25 feet away because of the setup. It was awful. I decided to come back and record when the weather was nice and the pow wow was outside.

[AnthonyV]

Yeah, I'm very skeptical about the acoustics of the gym as well. That's why I was thinking about at least getting a couple mics up close. I only have 4 channels to work with so I'm going to have to get a little creative.

I do, think a room mic or stereo pair way up above could be real nice though. You really get the full sound of the drum from farther away.

Would an omni right in the middle, slightly above the singers heads work for picking up the vocals?

Maybe this:

1) an omni LDC in the middle above the singers heads, centered on the drum - mostly for getting a good picture of the vocals.

2) a stereo pair up above pretty high 15-25ft - to get a good full drum sound (if the acoustics cooperate). I could rent the RE-20s.

3) beta 58 or sm57 up close on the drum, maybe of to the side looking across it - to pick up the slapping of the beaters.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Any other help is greatly appreciated.

thanks,
ants

[Bixby]

That sounds like a decent plan.

But how are you getting 4 channels out of your gear? Maybe I'm missing something.

[Midlandmorgan]

I've done several of these....the first time, I blew out a condensor...

Drum has the most dynamics of anything else I've done remote wise...what I do now is take a pair of SM7s, RE20s, or 57s, aim them at the backs of the human heads of the drum, and have at it. Just get the distances right to avoid phasing....

If your drum has a featured vocalist, you may wish to aim one of the mics in his general direction.

These things are TOO COOL! Please just remember the tribal rules by not darting in and out during a dance....a gift for the drum is always a thoughtful thing.

PM if you'd like to know more...both the wife and I are on a Native American Association board...