Which microphone to use is one of the most common questions we receive at pandeiro.com. This question can be separated into two categories - live performance and recording. Here we're only going to cover live performance, since that's where the bigger challenge is.
For live performance, the pandeiro player has two main choices to chose from. Using a mic on a stand, or one attached to the body of the pandeiro (sometimes referred to as a "clip-on" mic).
Mic on a stand
Pros:
- Player can control dymamics more easily by moving on/off mic
-
No weight added to pandeiro
Cons:
- Player has no freedom to move around
-
Prone to accidentally bump mic and/or stand while playing
"Clip-on" Mic
Pros:
- Player is free to move around
-
Extensive movement of gripping hand without risk of bumping mic/stand
- Guaranteed consistent sonic coverage, especially on the low-end
Cons:
- More difficult to control dynamics
-
Mic can pick up unwanted noice from vibrations
- Extra weight added to pandeiro
It should be mentioned that most professional pandeiro players use clip-on microphones for live performance. Of course, there are exceptions such as player who tend to play sitting down, or who play a plastic-head pandeiro without a lot of gripping hand movement.
Which clip-on mic should I buy?
Several of the well-known microphone manufacturers such as Shure, AKG and Audio Tecnica make clip-on models which pandeiro players have used over the years. However, none of these companies have actually designed their clip-on mics for use with the pandeiro (or any frame-drum for that matter). So, each one tends to have some kind of drawback. Either the clip/clamp isn't strong enough, the cable is flimsy, or sonically the mic was designed for another instrument - keep in mind that most clip-on mics were made for horn instruments.
The first (and only) mic designed specifically for the pandeiro
The Bowen Frame Drum Microphone System is a new and exciting option for pandeiro players. It was designed and develolped by percussionist and audio engineer Bill Bowen, who used his own experiences, in addition to feedback from other pandeiro players, to develop this system. The mics are hand-crafted and individually tested at his workshop in Brooklyn, NY. To find out more about this system or purchase one, please visit The Bowen Frame Drum Microphone website and be sure to tell Bill that pandeiro.com sent you.
... don't forget to check out the pandeiro.com shop for handmade pandeiros, instructional materials and more!
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