Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Recording the Kalimba:
I Use Stereo Miking in the Studio

I say: be simple in what you do and how you do it, don't add extra complexity unless there is a good reason. So, when I use two channels in my recording setup to record the sound of the kalimba, I must have that good reason.

Most of "Two Thumbs Up" was recorded with a single microphone on each instrument. However, I have discovered that the sound of the recorded kalimba can really be brought alive by stereo miking. Try listening to the kalimbas on "Between the Dark and the Light" with headphones on. As the kalimba moves in my hand, it comes closer to one mic and farther from the other, resulting in both amplitude modulation and some subtle shifts in the delay - in other words, it sounds just like it is moving - like it is a living breathing thing, getting ready to jump out at you or something.

There are many different ways of making use of two mics on the kalimba: above and below - above left and above right - near (to hear every kalimba clack and thumb slap) and far (to hear the sound of the kalimba in the room). Experiment. Listen. Discern. Be creative in your response to the reality you experience.

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