We've used a lot of different mics over the years... Of course we've been places where the sound folks insist that we use their mics which might be stuff like Shure SM57s and SM58's...
But we carry mics and stands and usually when amplification is necessary we work with those.
For several years now we've used an ElectroVoice N/D 468 for the bodhrán. We heard a sound guy use it for Paddy League's drum once, when Paddy was playing with Grey Larsen at a festival, and loved the sound, so we tried it and have been very satisfied with it.
We like that it's a dynamic mic and so does not need phantom powering, and it tells the truth about Min's drum (a Norbert Eckermann 14") without any fussing with it.
We've also use Sennheiser MD421, MD441, Beyerdynamic M88, Shure Beta 57, ElectroVoice RE20. For a time we used clip-on miniature condensor mics, one by Sennheiser, a C419, and an AudioTechnica AT35x Pro. We've seen a number of other drummers use C419s, and the AT35x Pro moved over to the fiddle, where it's been really wonderful, and it's now our standard fiddle mic.
In the recording studio we have used a mic on the front of the head (an AKG 452) to get all the sound of the tipper against the skin, and the N/D468 at the back for the low notes. This was a nice combination, but we find we don't really need it onstage.
Mr. JJK is a fine player. Personally, I don't prefer his style, but with a long, thin tipper held at one end, the other end of the tipper is much more busy, doing the work that both ends of the tipper do in the older styles. So perhaps the front mic is needed (or he prefers it) to catch all that.
John Joe's double mic'ing is more about frequency than stick sound vs tone. Basically he uses a bass drum mic and a mic that would be more suited to be used on a snare drum or toms. The idea being that you have one mic capturing the bass notes and another capturing the mids and highs. By blending the two you can eq a much more rounded and full sound than what you get with one mic. Not sure of the particulars of each mic but they should be listed on the flook website me thinks.
I've always been happy with an SM57 on the bodhran. For a concert type of gig (ie, on a stage, with a seated audience facing you) you're more likely to have a) a soundman with a collection of microphones and b) a crowd that will actually hear some of the subtleties and nuances that a better mic will put across. In that case, let the soundman handle it. But for a bar gig, where you're likely to need to provide your own amplification, an SM57 is plenty good enough, cheap, and indestructible.
I will admit that I enjoy a well played bodhran or a set of
bones immensely on appropriate toons.
Now, having said that--I must admit that I look forward to
an equally creative series of jokes about the dreaded "MIKED
BODHRAN". So lets go you guys--down & dirty !!!
bodhran mic?
bodhran mic?
does anyone know how to mic up a bodhran? i know jj kelly uses 2 mics but is this really necessary?
# Posted on February 11th 2008 by podge
Re: bodhran mic?
uh oh .. time to run for cover as the hostiles arm themselves!
D
# Posted on February 11th 2008 by Welshman
Re: bodhran mic?
We've used a lot of different mics over the years... Of course we've been places where the sound folks insist that we use their mics which might be stuff like Shure SM57s and SM58's...
But we carry mics and stands and usually when amplification is necessary we work with those.
For several years now we've used an ElectroVoice N/D 468 for the bodhrán. We heard a sound guy use it for Paddy League's drum once, when Paddy was playing with Grey Larsen at a festival, and loved the sound, so we tried it and have been very satisfied with it.
We like that it's a dynamic mic and so does not need phantom powering, and it tells the truth about Min's drum (a Norbert Eckermann 14") without any fussing with it.
We've also use Sennheiser MD421, MD441, Beyerdynamic M88, Shure Beta 57, ElectroVoice RE20. For a time we used clip-on miniature condensor mics, one by Sennheiser, a C419, and an AudioTechnica AT35x Pro. We've seen a number of other drummers use C419s, and the AT35x Pro moved over to the fiddle, where it's been really wonderful, and it's now our standard fiddle mic.
In the recording studio we have used a mic on the front of the head (an AKG 452) to get all the sound of the tipper against the skin, and the N/D468 at the back for the low notes. This was a nice combination, but we find we don't really need it onstage.
Mr. JJK is a fine player. Personally, I don't prefer his style, but with a long, thin tipper held at one end, the other end of the tipper is much more busy, doing the work that both ends of the tipper do in the older styles. So perhaps the front mic is needed (or he prefers it) to catch all that.
I hope this helps...
stv
http://cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on February 11th 2008 by stv culchie
Re: bodhran mic?
people actually mike them??!!!
# Posted on February 11th 2008 by zippydw
Re: bodhran mic?
great help ill check out those mics...thanks stv
# Posted on February 11th 2008 by podge
Re: bodhran mic?
John Joe's double mic'ing is more about frequency than stick sound vs tone. Basically he uses a bass drum mic and a mic that would be more suited to be used on a snare drum or toms. The idea being that you have one mic capturing the bass notes and another capturing the mids and highs. By blending the two you can eq a much more rounded and full sound than what you get with one mic. Not sure of the particulars of each mic but they should be listed on the flook website me thinks.
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by late in the evening
Re: bodhran mic?
I've heard that bodhrans sound best when played from the bottom of a large body of water. Like the Atlantic, for instance
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by rob_handel
Re: bodhran mic?
Oh the hillarity!! :P
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by late in the evening
Re: bodhran mic?
I've always been happy with an SM57 on the bodhran. For a concert type of gig (ie, on a stage, with a seated audience facing you) you're more likely to have a) a soundman with a collection of microphones and b) a crowd that will actually hear some of the subtleties and nuances that a better mic will put across. In that case, let the soundman handle it. But for a bar gig, where you're likely to need to provide your own amplification, an SM57 is plenty good enough, cheap, and indestructible.
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: bodhran mic?
If you REALLY want to know all about microphones and their use for bodhran players...
http://www.bodojo.com/microphones_3.html
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by RockyRoader
Re: bodhran mic?
Does anyone know how to mike up my shakey-eggs? -(I can't annoy enough people)
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: bodhran mic?
Oh trust me. I'm sure you annoy more than enough people on the piano accordian
# Posted on February 13th 2008 by late in the evening
Re: bodhran mic?
did you know that people mike up piano accordians as well!!!! what is the world coming to??
# Posted on February 13th 2008 by tombo
Re: bodhran mic?
I will admit that I enjoy a well played bodhran or a set of
bones immensely on appropriate toons.
Now, having said that--I must admit that I look forward to
an equally creative series of jokes about the dreaded "MIKED
BODHRAN". So lets go you guys--down & dirty !!!
# Posted on February 18th 2008 by hauke