Racks for Congas

[Rich]

I still have a lot to learn about hand percussion and now I need experience in what type of stands allow you to set up quickly and still give good resonance of the drum. I see basket stands for congas as well as hanging type stands. I don't want to spend alot of time setting up if possible. Also has anyone heard the LP Galaxy Congas? They are suppose to be their top of the line now over the Classics. They are made of Northern Ash so I hear and wanted to know how they sound. They are very expensive as well and come with gold hardware. All responces are welcome. Thanks, Rich.

[powermatt99]

Originally posted by Rich
I still have a lot to learn about hand percussion and now I need experience in what type of stands allow you to set up quickly and still give good resonance of the drum. I see basket stands for congas as well as hanging type stands. I don't want to spend alot of time setting up if possible. Also has anyone heard the LP Galaxy Congas? They are suppose to be their top of the line now over the Classics. They are made of Northern Ash so I hear and wanted to know how they sound. They are very expensive as well and come with gold hardware. All responces are welcome. Thanks, Rich.

The stands I prefer are either Gibraltar's basket stands or Pearl's Basket Stands. The tripod stands mount to the instrument by only two bolts. The basket stands put far less strain on the shell of the drum. Also, the basket stands are easier to position than a tripod stand and you can set just one up if you want without having balancing problems with the stand. The basket stands also take less time to set up because there are no screws to monkey with and potentially loose the nuts. You simply take the conga out of its case, unfold the stand, and set the conga in the stand. I think that Pearl's basket stands are tiltable if you want to play at an angle or set them up with your drum set.

As for congas, I love the Giovanni series by LP but I don't think they are worth the money. Especially at live venues, the acoustical nuances from the Giovannis would never translate through the PA. I swear by the LP Classic series. They are good live and in the studio (although I have never actually done studio time with the LPs, this is hearsay). I mic my Classics with a Shure Beta57, or a Shure SM81. We are getting some CAD condenser to try out so I will find out how those work on the congas.

http://homepage.mac.com/powermatt99/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2002-12-11%2020.43.23%20-0800/Image-EA3DD39C4F4A11D7.jpg

[sanman]

Hey PowerMatt...is there any reason why you place your mics on top of the congas, instead of underneath them? Does the sound of the congas come from the top of the congas, and not from the bottom side? I've always pondered this...

By the way...cool website, and cool set of congas/cymbals. When you play the congas, do you have a set of sticks/mallets/brushes handy to play the cymbals, or do you use something like the Azuka hand cymbals, and play using your hands?

:confused:

[zaragemca]

The sound comes out both ways but, it is easier to mic., from the top.

[MusicMan]

Zara -

I think it's important to keep in mind that what ultiimately makes the congas "sound good" is the person who's playing them! If you're a good player (on a small budget), you'll be just as satisfied with a set of less expensive Pearl Elite congas, than you would be after spending 2x as much for the Giovani's.

I prefer to use the Pearl All-fit conga stands myself. They are a "basket" type stand, but are much sturdier when set up properly, and have limited contact with the conga shell.

[Punch]

our school uses tama holders (dont know what kind), but they seem to be very easy for quick assembly.

[echoofformless]

Basket stands also come with different heights, so you will be wise to make sure you pick either standing or sitting height stands. I prefer sitting height, and you'll also notice most traditional players sit when playing. So i recommend you do as well.


As far as miking goes, the main sound that comes out of the bottom of the conga is the bass tone, so there is no reason to place a mic there unless you really want an explosion of bass.

For all hand drums, especially congas, ashikos, djembes and doumbeks, place the mic at enough distance to allow you freedom of motion, at a slight angle over the top of the drum. That is the sweet spot.

When playing in ensembles the best way to mic is several condensors overhead of all players. That's how Planet Drum was recorded. One listen and you'll see why it's the best way to mic the ensemble.


Just some helpful advice from mr echo. Hope you enjoyed.

[sanman]

Thanks for your response, echooformless. Have you ever seen or known any1 to put mics on top of their hand percussion, as well as under them, like on top, as well as under a set of congas? I've never seen this done, myself, so I'm kind of curious.

[echoofformless]

I may have seen but not noticed. I mean it can be done if you want some added punch and depth from your bass tones. You need only make sure that you balance the mics in your mixer so that one does not overtake the other. (More likely you will need to keep the underneath mic at a lower level, due to the peaking of bass tones)

By double mic'ing you will get a very rich, full sound which will actually sound more bassy on the recording or over the PA than the actual drum sounds. That is why most (if not all) guys just mic from the top. Hope that helps.

[sanman]

Thanks much for the info and for the help!