Internal Mic - Fat Conga Cajon

[+pablo+]

Finally got around to installing an internal mic on my Fat Congas Cajon. As before, metal mic base, three screw mount from Radio Shack mounted on a 5 inch length of ply wood. Decided to use a Peavey PVM 325 snare mic. Yea, that’s right, a snare mic. Being inside the drum, the bass is more pronounced. Remember this cajon has internal snare wires. I found that this mic brings out the snare well and balances out with the right amount of bass. I have the other cajon to rely on if I want a more bass/boom box sound.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 9-Mic1.JPG

[+pablo+]

Fat Conga Cajon hole is 4 & 1/4 inch diameter. Board length of 5” just fit into hole with mount attached. Trial positioning of mic. Final placement was with mic ~ 2 inches from face of cajon. That piece of white plastic is a drill template. Using this assures that the holes in the board will match the holes in the cajon.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... ition1.JPG

[+pablo+]

position 2

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... ition2.JPG

[+pablo+]

template

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... mplete.JPG

[+pablo+]

Drilling hole for connector. The flush mount male XLR is from Guitar Center and is better quality than the previous one I used (see other post on details of cable/connector fabrication). It requires a slightly larger hole size though (15/16 inch).

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... drill1.JPG

[+pablo+]

Put some masking tape on front and back side to prevent splintering upon drill breakout. Use a block of scrap wood to press on backside right before breakout.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... drill2.JPG

[+pablo+]

Final hole looks very clean. Again, the thought of doing this to my congas...SCARY!!!

Oh, by the way, that is a prayer card of the Virgin Mary mounted inside the drum. She's the greatest!
This is the way I consecrate a drum.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... drill3.JPG

[+pablo+]

Mounted mic with pan head allen recess screws; look nicer than carriage bolts. Used nuts with plastic locking feature, and large ‘fender’ washers.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... rdware.JPG

[+pablo+]

Finished installation…sweet! No mic stand to dork with. Very clean.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... Final1.JPG

[+pablo+]

Warning!!!! Let the sound man know you are using internal mics. They require just above half the gain level. If set to normal gain (volume) you’ll get feed back or the cajon will be the only thing people hear. I thought I never would be asking, ‘hey can you turn me down a bit.’ Crazy! Next project: internal mic for the tumbas...

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... Final2.JPG

[Diceman]

Very nice Pablo,

Thanks for sharing your method, I fixed my mic on to the internal post near the front and pointing about an inch away from the top edge to give good balance between bass and snare.
I like the wat you have taken the XLR socket to the outside, next project for me.

Nice looking cajon amigo

Diceman

[Thomas]

Really nice, thanks for sharing!
I use a Sennheiser e904 to mic my Schlagwerk Yambu Peruano from the inside, sounds nice also!

[+pablo+]

oooooohh, the Sennheiser e904 is a sweet mic..currently $190 US @ Musciansfriend.com

[Thomas]

Yes, normally they are expensive, but I got a good deal, for around 135€, ca. 170 $, each mic. I got 3 of 'em to mic my congas as well, works great btw!
Tom!

[Charangaman]

Hey chaps,

So is this a good deal on that mic..??

http://www.nusystems.co.uk/product/Sennheiser.E904

+pablo+ many thanks for the clear and easy to follow instructions... Excellant idea.