Any tips on recording a Kora (african stringed harp)?

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Here is a picture http://www.coraconnection.com/pages/WhatisKora.html

I am a beginner at recording and I have only a basic studio (Yamaha AW4416
workstation)

I have one Shure KSM27 condenser mic, and two Shure 57 dynamic mics

I was thinking of putting the condenser mic near the soundhole.. I don't
think I'll get the boominess that i would if I were to put the condenser in
front of an acoustic guitar hole, because the kora is a fairy high pitched
instrument.. Since I have only one condenser, I wouldn't be able to get a
stereo image, unless i also used the dynamic mic(s).

anyone have any clever ideas? Would I ever want to use a condenser AND a
dynamic at the same time?

--

- Jonathan

JUST UPDATED (6-21-04) with TWO new songs!
Go to http://www.guestroomproject.com/ to
hear some music from my upcoming solo album,
the Guestroom Project. I play all the instruments.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

<< I was thinking of putting the condenser mic near the soundhole.. I don't
think I'll get the boominess that i would if I were to put the condenser in
front of an acoustic guitar hole, because the kora is a fairy high pitched
instrument.. >>

There's not any boominess with a kora. Put your condenser mic where the
instrument sounds best to your ear. I usually put it above the neck, looking
down at the body. When working with Foday Musa Suso, I take his pickup output
also, since it's a good one & actually sounds like the instrument, instead of a
thinner, harsher, plasticky version of it.

Scott Fraser

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Scott & Scott's advice are great. I know several artists who are former
members of Les Ballets Africains (Guinea) & I've heard one individual
say the pickup output is the desirable modern sound. I was so excited
to approach recording the kora, this "advice" (to grab the p/u ONLY) was
anti-climactic for me. Of course I'd put up a few mics!

Unfortunately, the gig never happened. When it does, I'll try ribbons.

No matter what the instrument... even getting sounds on djembes &
djoun-djouns, I use the 1-finger in the ear technique to find where to
START with mic placement.

hth, ~Christopher Barry

> Put your condenser mic where the instrument sounds best to your ear.
> I usually put it above the neck, looking down at the body. When working with
> Foday Musa Suso, I take his pickup output also, since it's a good one &
actually
> sounds like the instrument, instead of a thinner, harsher, plasticky version of it.
> Scott Fraser

> Stick your finger in one ear and listen with the other. Move your head
> around while the performer plays. Find a place where the instrument tone
> is good, and where you have the balance between ambient and direct sound
> that you want. Put the mike there. This is always a good technique for
> dealing with unknown instruments and rooms.
> --scott (Dorsey)