Recording techniques:Congas and bongos

General guidelines

 * A hardwood floor or hard surface is essential to getting a good conga sound.Place on the floor, not on a stand


 * Recording in a small room will generally give a bad sound for these kinds of drums.

Microphone placement
Each technique begins with a bullet point.


 * Place the microphone (a small diaphragm condenser or dynamic) about 12 inches above each drum and 1 to 2 inches in front of the outer rim
 * Place the microphones so they are a few feet in front of and below the rim of the congas and angled upward directed at the players eyes.