Recording Kora - mic / pu mounting (Scott Fraser you out there?)

[Ikhaya Studios]

I'm going to be recording some Kora soon. I'll be doing the usual one
ear trick to listen for sweet spots but I saw the thread on this issue
from a few years ago and Scott Fraser had commented on recording Foday
Musa Suso.

My questions if Scott's out there:
1.what kind of pu did Foday use?

2.How and where was it mounted (I'm a bit embarassed to say that I've
actually played with Foday but can't remember how he had it set up)?

3.You described the mic placement as "above the neck, looking down at
the body." Could you be a bit more specific?

Anyone else please feel free to chime in if you like.
Thanks
Ema

[Scott Fraser]

> My questions if Scott's out there:
> 1.what kind of pu did Foday use?>>

It's built in to his instrument, mounted somewhere inside the gourd.
All you see from outside is the 1/4" jack, so I can't tell you which
brand it is. I'll have to ask him next time we do a gig.

> 2.How and where was it mounted (I'm a bit embarassed to say that I've
> actually played with Foday but can't remember how he had it set up)?

It's a permanently installed unit, not something he takes off after a
gig. It sounds OK, much more realistic than a piezo transducer does on
a guitar, although it lacks air & exaggerates transients.

> 3.You described the mic placement as "above the neck, looking down at
> the body." Could you be a bit more specific?>>

I used a Schoeps CMC5 with an MK4 cardioid capsule about 18" away,
pointing down at maybe a 30 degree angle, aimed more or less at his
hands.
Hope this helps.
Scott Fraser

[Ikhaya Studios]

Many thanks.
Ema

Scott Fraser wrote:
>>My questions if Scott's out there:
>>1.what kind of pu did Foday use?>>
>
>
> It's built in to his instrument, mounted somewhere inside the gourd.
> All you see from outside is the 1/4" jack, so I can't tell you which
> brand it is. I'll have to ask him next time we do a gig.
>
>
>>2.How and where was it mounted (I'm a bit embarassed to say that I've
>>actually played with Foday but can't remember how he had it set up)?
>
>
> It's a permanently installed unit, not something he takes off after a
> gig. It sounds OK, much more realistic than a piezo transducer does on
> a guitar, although it lacks air & exaggerates transients.
>
>
>>3.You described the mic placement as "above the neck, looking down at
>>the body." Could you be a bit more specific?>>
>
>
> I used a Schoeps CMC5 with an MK4 cardioid capsule about 18" away,
> pointing down at maybe a 30 degree angle, aimed more or less at his
> hands.
> Hope this helps.
> Scott Fraser
>