Welcome to GreatBigSea.com Sign in | Join | Help

Help with Micing a Bodhran!!!!!

Last post Fri, Sep 18 2009, 2:47 PM by pilotwayne. 17 replies.
Page 2 of 2 (18 items)   < Previous 1 2
Sort Posts: Previous Next
  •  Wed, Sep 16 2009, 2:36 PM 151683 in reply to 151619

    Re: Help with Micing a Bodhran!!!!!

    I finally managed to very successfully mike up one of my sons cymbals.

    I used piezo film contact mike from these guys in vancouver, BC

     http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Cold-Gold-Contact-Microphones__W0QQ_armrsZ1

     They cost Cdn$3 each when bought in bulk.

    I first cleaned the lower cymbal surface with fine wire wool and cleaned with 99% Isopropol Alcohol.

    I used micro coax to attach to the 2 piezo terminals ensuring that I isolated the center positive lead and piezo contact by taping it up.

    I then used contact adhesive on the piezo film surface and let it dry, this will create a non permanent fix to the cymbal.

    It is very important to have a good solid contact with the resonant surface and I will use cyanoacrylate at a later date, DO NOT use double sided foam tape as this acts as a damper.

    I then used copper shielding tape with a conductive adhesive to protect, cover and electrically bond the piezo microphone to the cymbal surface, it is important that this shield has contact with the outer grounding sheath and not the centre cable core.

    This ensures that any outside interference gets grounded.

    It is also a good idea to isolate the centre core inside the mono jack at the other end and then wrap copper shielding tape around the ground before screwing on the plastic outer body.

    This was tested through a 6 channel mixer/preamp and then recorded on the computer, excellent sound reproduction.

     

    Next I am going to attach the piezo films to the inside upper wall of his drums.

    I do not think it necessary or indeed a good idea to attach to the drum head as it is the drum body that has the resonance not the head.

     

    Will let you know.

  •  Wed, Sep 16 2009, 8:06 PM 151694 in reply to 151683

    Re: Help with Micing a Bodhran!!!!!

    Hey pipsqueek! That's great news! I think our piezo trials here are a clear indication that there are inexpensive, even DIY,  alternatives to micing drums of any type. Anything that gives performing musicians more choice in their stage gear is a great thing! 

    Thanks for sharing your findings with the rest of us.

     

    Cheers!  

     


    A Pub without live Celtic music is just a Bar....
  •  Fri, Sep 18 2009, 2:47 PM 151755 in reply to 151694

    Re: Help with Micing a Bodhran!!!!!

    I would love to hear what this sounds like. It might actually be good, but I'm thinking the traditional way of micing drums has a way of capturing a truer representation of what the drum, or drums sound like. The little nuances of touch, tone and room etc... The sound captured by mic bleed helps shape the overall sound of the drum kit. By using a piezo system, everything will be isolated, and that great "Live" sound of the drums may be missing. Also, piezo pick-ups tend to not always sound accurate, so they might not capture all of the frequencies present.... That being said, I would love to hear what it sounds like because it just might be really good. Good stuff. Keep us informed! w
    Wayne
Page 2 of 2 (18 items)   < Previous 1 2
View as RSS news feed in XML

Welcome to GreatBigSea.com

Sign in Join Help