Stero micing techniques

[HangDawg]

I can't seem to get anything to sound "stereo" when trying any of the many micing techniques I have read about. Everything seems to come out pretty mono sounding. For instance, when I do this on a drum set, I can't get it to sound as though the snare is off to right, the kick in the middle, floor tom on the left etc. there is no separation. It just doesn't work What the hell am I doing wrong? I know, it could be dozens of things Any insights would be great.

[nessbass]

What techniques did you use and what do you want to achieve? Stereo micing a real drumset just won't give you snare right, kick middle, toms left. Of course you will get some separation, but no extreme stereo placement. It's more about ambience.

BTW, you did pan the two tracks apart, right?

[HangDawg]

BTW, you did pan the two tracks apart, right?

Yes

I've even tried the famous 3 mic technique listed in the Drum forum with very limited success. That uses a "spaced pair" I believe is what it is called. I just can't seem to get any kind of separation. Even when panning the close miced tracks, there still is too much bleed or something going on.

[fazil]

did you use omni or cardiod mics ? Omni's wan't seperate that much as they pick up from everywhere. what mics did you use ?
you could also try the xy or maybe the ortf technique

[fazil]

btw there's no such thing as OH bleed in recording. Your Oh's form the base of your drum sound, then the close micings add a tighter sound to your toms, kick or snare.

Offcourse this is my (and most people's) opinion, some people consider the overheads only for cymballs and hihat. (like in a live sound situation)

-greetz ...

[ryanlikestorock]

How far away are your mics? If you mic closer, you might find the drastic stereo effect you're looking for to work better. Also, overhead mics are going to minimize this effect because they're obviously going to pick up a bit of everything.

[TexRoadkill]

Do you hear ANY difference when you pan a mono track? Are you sure you can actually monitor in stereo?

[HangDawg]

I used cardiods in X/Y, ORTF and spaced. Maybe I'll experiment with the distance some more. I have been about 6' away.

Tex,

Yep, I got stereo. Maybe it's got to do with my monitoring environment/monitors that is screwing up the imaging.

[mrface2112]

yeah, i'd definitely move em a little closer to the kit and maybe even space em out from each other a little. watch out for phase issues when spacing them, though.

i think my OHs are usually around 3-4ft above the kit, and maybe a foot above the drummer's head. and i find i get better results using a spaced pair rather than XY or ORTF.

YMWV


wade