Drum Mic test

[RicD]

OK, here we go.
I just wanted to get better sounds from my drums or anyone else’s for that matter. I’ve been recording for a little while but still have a long way to go. Here’s the process I went through.
First I did a quick tune on the drums. They are an old Pearl export series. I mean 20+ years old. They weren’t very good to start off with but they work for live sound playing in bars. I didn’t put to much effort here but still spent time getting close.
Second I wanted to get a room mic sound that I didn’t mute! I wanted to use a LDC so I used the only one I have, AKG 220. I first just threw it up in a corner that I thought was going to be ok. First track, not bad. I went through a lot of spots and went right back to where I started. My room sucks ( 16 x 9 x 8 ) and has a stairway coming to a corner and a hallway that goes out the other wall. I usually have a quilt that I put up to block the weird reflections when tracking vocals or acoustic guitar. I decided that I wanted the reverb from both halls this time. I think it worked out.
Next I put up the overheads. At first I put up SDC’s like I thought you are supposed to. I took the time measuring and used the string idea from KHR. I liked it, easy to work the other mic. I didn’t like the sound. Harsh! First instinct was to change the mics but I don’t have a lot of choices on the shelf. I thought, what the hell, I’ll put up some 57’s and see what they sound like. I liked it.
Then I wondered what the hell am I gonna use on the snare now! Well if the 57’s are up top then I’ll put a SDC on the snare. It might give it a higher snap. Not bad. It seemed to compliment the 57 as overheads. I also noticed that the audio wave was different. It was a large gain on the snare hits. I would have never thought it would work. Keep in mind i’m trying to get a sound for a Jeff beck kinda thing.

Now for the kick. I use a beta 52. I’ve used it for live sound and I like what it does for the money. A long time ago I started using a tunnel to record my kick. It’s hard to get away from that so I put it up without thinking. This time I moved the mic out quite a ways in the tunnel. ( I place a down blanket around the kick and over an old drum seat on the other end. I try to get a click and thump at the same time ) Sounded typical. I turned the mic around ( facing away from the kick ) Looked different so I said “ why not”. EH, I kept it. I thought I might get a good sound after eq, knowing I’m going to nuke some freqs and boost some others. I tried it ( eqing ) and. . . Sold!

Now for what you hear on here. A while ago someone asked what they needed to record 12 mics for drums. A much smarter person than I responded that 8 was enough ( not a reference to the shitty show by the same name ) and I agree. 8 can be a bear to handle by itself much less 12.

This is kinda long but you hear the mics go up one at a time. I didn’t even have and idea of what I was gonna play. You can hear it develop. First sequence is room mic and SDC’s. Second is same room mic and 57’s. Next is same plus SDC on snare. Next is kick with B52 facing kick. Next is Facing away. Last is with tom mics. On the toms I used mics from the Shure drum kit with the original kick mic on the floor tom. Now I didn’t eq anything and ran all the mics straight into a Tascam 1641. The only thing I did to the mix is ( from drummers POV ) panned the overheads hard left and right. I panned the toms Hitom 27percent left, mid tom 10 right and floor 27 right. That’s it, nothing else. The Master was brought down 4.2 db to not clip. The rest left alone so you can hear the recording raw.

Please let me know what you think and what you hear and for the 63 dollar ( don’t ask me to pay, I don’t have 63 dollars ) question, what might make it better.

Wow that was long. If you read it all, I’m truly impressed.

BTW, I took pics so if it’s worth it I’ll post them.

[RicD]

Opps the file is to large. I'll be right back with ine that fits

[RicD]

Ok here's the file. Thanks for the listen.

[String7th]

I think there was a question in there right?

It's not a bad-sounding kit for being 20 years old. I like the 1st and 2nd segments the best, the overhead and cymbal sound is workable. I wasn't a too big a fan of the snare sound, I'm not sold on this SDC you chose for it. It may work with a looser tuning and having a mic under under it for the spring sound. The tom mics were good but of course will just need some compression get more of the resonance out of them.
Not sure what to do with that kick sound without seeing it. I just hear flapping in the overheads, no beef.

[RicD]

Thanks for the time String7th! Yes there was a question and you got it.
1st and 2nd segments are just the overheads. after listening to the snare today I think you're right with the SDC. Good call. Thanks for the use of your ear. I think today i'll try new placement of the overheads.
None of the mics have any treatment, it's pure raw. The toms were having the crap beat out of them. They were even wide open, no dampening at all. I think it's more the toms but I'll try something different today.

Again thanks for the reply. Good ideas for today!

[venuestudio]

did you flip the phase of the kick drum mic?? Not sure if that will help with the low end considering you turned the mic around.

[RicD]

Originally Posted by venuestudio

did you flip the phase of the kick drum mic?? Not sure if that will help with the low end considering you turned the mic around.

On the example here, no. I'm not sure what I was going for or if I was just trying something diferent. I fliped the phase later, compressed and eqed. It's not the typical sound but it may have a use.