Anyone recorded a didgeridoo?!!

I've never recorded one but my Recording Engineers Handbook gives these three options:

1. Place dynamic or small diaphragm condenser mic about 4-6 feet from the bell.  Ideal distance from getting balance between low end and clarity.

2. Place small clip-on omni condenser on the end of the bell.

3. The Facebass is an alternative to microphones, it captures sounds from within the didj.

Good luck

I have recorded didge often. The player will often like to rest the end on the ground. I have got great results from a piece of wood about a foot square. They won't move the end around much. Put the microphone close to the end and looking down onto the timber where the didge reflects up. Still quite close eg 2 inches or so to the end of the didge.  Point the mike half at the end of the didge and the area of the wood it is hitting. You are more or less recording the reflection off the wood.

If they are all playing at once, you will get fantastic (lack of) spill too. Sound is always great with tons of power right from the deep low end up. Use a big fat condenser mike with a larger diaphragm. I have never used a pop filter, I think the wood dissipates any serious air problems. The sound will be easy to eq etc if needed. Signal level will be constant and lots of it too. Timber is better than carpet because it retains the top end much better. (Glass maybe, might break)

All was well! I ended up micing him with a Blue Kiwi in omni (started with a C414 but wanted a bit more presence), catching mostly reflected sound off my wooden studio floor. A great day had by all - definitely time for a beer now though...