Instrument
Guiro
- Sources
- 5 (4 independent)
Mics sources recommend
5 setups from 5 sources, 4 of them independent of any mic maker. Each mic shows how many sources name it for that role, and how many of those are independent. Listed alphabetically: there is no ranking.
Studio
Close
- Shure SM811 independent source
- large-diaphragm condenser2 independent sources
Distant
- microphone (type not named)1 independent source
The 4 setups behind this: placement and quotes
- Close 2 × large-diaphragm condenserpair, one or two LDCs on percussion (shakers, guiro); when two, the mics about 2-3 ft apart, panned hard left/right
I use one or two LDC's for percussion ... The mic's are usually 2-3 feet apart because that's a comfortable distance for me to play
1 - Close Shure SM81close (distance not given), with the 10 dB pad engaged
I once used a Shure SM81 on a guiro and gourds with surprisingly good results. (Engage the 10 dB pad!)
2 - Distant microphone (type not named)distant, 3-6 ft from the mic (scraped instruments)
If it jingles, rattles or scrapes, give yourself a good 3 to 6 feet from the mic for clarity and believability.
3 - Close large-diaphragm condenserdistant, hand-held percussion played about three metres from the mic (photo caption; hand-held percussion in general, the article lists guiro/reco-reco among the instruments)
Hand-held percussion played about three metres away from a nice large-diaphragm condenser.
4
On stage
Close
- Audix M1280B maker's advice1 source, 0 independent
The 1 setup behind this: placement and quotes
- Close 2 × Audix M1280Bpair, a pair of pencil mics covering all the hand percussion toys (bells, cowbells, shakers, guiro); placement not given
I use a pair of those to capture all the percussion toys: bells, cowbells, shakers, guiro.
5
Frequency bands
| scrape | 400 Hz – 8 kHz | each ridge gives a click; the ridge rate sets a buzzy pitch; loudest 0.6-4 kHz |
|---|---|---|
| air | 8 kHz – 16 kHz |
Own analysis: 1/3-octave band levels of the first second after the hit (dB re loudest band), plus a 12 ms attack window and spectral peak picking. A band is listed where the level stays within about 10-15 dB of the loudest band (weaker bands are given with their level). "tone" = clear spectral peaks; "noise" = dense or broadband energy. Measured from: VSCO 2 CE Guiro-M_v1; Virtuosity Drums Guiro_Med_rr1.
Sounds it makes
| Long stroke | rasping scrape |
|---|---|
| Short stroke | quick zip |
The sound
A ridged gourd scraped with a stick: a rapid train of clicks, broadband noise with a buzzy pitch that follows the scraping speed.
Recording it
- Where: 30–60 cm, aimed at the ridges; it is all high end and transients
Sources
- homerecording.com forum: Recording hand percussion (markmann, Feb 2023)
- Recording Magazine: The Doom of the Dumbek (Paul Stamler)
- Recording Magazine: Drumming and Drummers and Mics - Oh My! (Paul Vnuk Jr. with David Blascoe)
- Daley, D. (2006) Recording Latin Percussion, Sound On Sound
- Mix: Capturing the Careening Beat of Ozomatli (FOH Reiley Brinser, Mar 2024; Audix-based press item)