Three Overhead techniques

[Sonixx]

If you're interested in kit overhead imaging, I've posted three overhead micing techniques:

• Coincident Mics
• Spaced Mics
• Modified Spaced Mics

The clips are only the overheads which are a pair of Josephson e22S mics.

The kit is a five piece set of Pearl Exports and Sabian Cymbals.

Let me know if you want to see pictures of each setup. IMO the Modified Spaced Micing technique gives the most depth and imaging. Take a listen and chime in.

I had read about this technique several years ago, but never paid much attention. Well I decided to try it, and this really works well. It puts the Snare and Kick in the center and with a lot of imaging (spreads the kit out).
The Modified Spaced Micing technique can be read about here.

Please don't chime in unless you're really interested overhead micing

[Drummer4Life05]

Well, I'm a total newbie when it comes to recording drums.
I've been playing for almost 8 years, but I'm clueless when it comes to overhead micing techniques.

Maybe a picture with a brief description would help me lots! Heck, no need for a picture, if you could just say what the pros/cons for each setup are, and exactly what they are (i.e. how to set them up).

I guess I'm just in need for the basics.

Thanks!

[Sonixx]

Maybe it would help if I posted the link to the Overhead Clips

Sorry...

[Drummer4Life05]

Great, thanks!

[Sonixx]

Here's the Modified Spaced Mics. It's difficult to get a good picture of the mic placements.

Both mics are 38 inches from the snare center and pointing at the snare and 54 inches from where the beater strikes the kick head. One mic is directly above the Snare and the other mic is peaking over the drummers shoulder.

This places the snare and kick in the center of the image.

[Sonixx]

Here's the Spaced Mics.

The mics are on a mic bar and are positioned about 38 inches above the snare and centered over the kit. The mics are positioned over the drums and not directly over the cymbals.

[Sonixx]

Here's the Coincident Mics.

Again, the mics are on a mic bar and are positioned about 38 inches above the snare.

[Sonixx]

come on... any feedback... any discussion... I see a bunch have listened, but no comments...

maybe I posted this in the wrong location...

[M Havlen]

Sounds good. I think the "modified" postioning sounds best. I'v used some simalar mic placement's myself. I like the "above and behind " the drummer placement, i think if your limited on mic's you can get a pretty impressive sound. Thanks . Nice Kit.

[Sonixx]

thanks,

I'm starting to replace my cymbals with lighter ones... better matching cymbal volume to drum volume. I'm trying a 16" K-Custom Fast Crash.

I'm going to give the AA's to my son for live use. They have a bit too much body and volume

[Drummer4Life05]

Thanks for the pics!
They helped greatly!

[Mark7]

Good work Sonixx.

Makes me want to get hold of a drum kit so I can try these option out for myself.

[Sonixx]

Originally posted by Drummer4Life05
Thanks for the pics!
They helped greatly!

good...

[Sonixx]

Originally posted by Mark7
Good work Sonixx.

Makes me want to get hold of a drum kit so I can try these option out for myself.

I don't know why I resisted this technique for so long... it really captures the width and depth of the kit.

[Grandflash13]

Hey sonix

thanks for the pics and the clips, really helps to give a picture to go with the sound.

Couple questions for you. I noticed you had a head taped to your kick, how do you like that and how did you get it to stick so tight? I tried it once but it just didn't lay very nicely and securely for my likings, but it could be the tape I used. Also, did you have any sound dampening inside the kick with the extra head on?

Once again, thanks for the clips and the link to the modified spaced mics tip. I tried it out, showed the drummer the sound of his kit with just the overheads and he was quite surprised.

[Sonixx]

Originally posted by Grandflash13
Hey sonix

thanks for the pics and the clips, really helps to give a picture to go with the sound.

Couple questions for you. I noticed you had a head taped to your kick, how do you like that and how did you get it to stick so tight? I tried it once but it just didn't lay very nicely and securely for my likings, but it could be the tape I used. Also, did you have any sound dampening inside the kick with the extra head on?

Once again, thanks for the clips and the link to the modified spaced mics tip. I tried it out, showed the drummer the sound of his kit with just the overheads and he was quite surprised.

Hey Grandflash13,

The head is a Evans G1 Clear and I taped it with really thick Duct tape. It's sort of loose and it gives click and slap that I like. No padding inside.

The modified spaced micing technique clip does not do justice... when the kick and tom resonant mics are added, the kit really fills out.

[foreverain4]

Originally posted by Sonixx
Here's the Modified Spaced Mics. It's difficult to get a good picture of the mic placements.

Both mics are 38 inches from the snare center and pointing at the snare and 54 inches from where the beater strikes the kick head. One mic is directly above the Snare and the other mic is peaking over the drummers shoulder.

This places the snare and kick in the center of the image.

uh... arent you supposed to point the mics at the drums, not away as the picture shows?

[Sonixx]

foreverain4,

I'm not sure what you mean... the mics are side address SDC and are pointed at the drums

[foreverain4]

my bad, didnt realize they were side address..

[Grandflash13]

Oh, I wasn't sticking with the just the OH's. I was just showing the drummer how it sounded with just them.

[donkeystyle]

the difference on the modified space miced clip is so huge. the 3 technices sounds like 3 different kits with the different sets of cymbals. i can't wait to try the modified space technique.

[Mark7]

I must say that of the three techniques I definitely found the Modified Spaced Pair to be most satisfying. Especially when listened to over headphones where it didn't have the exaggerated stereo spread of the Trad Spaced Pair or the narrowness of the Coincident Pair (though no doubt all three methods can be useful in different circumstances).

What I'd like now is to hear them again but with close mics added. Just to see how much of a difference they make in each case. Maybe post up some samples with just the Kick and Snare mics first, and then another set with the Tom and Hat mics (if you use Hat mics).

[Sonixx]

Originally posted by Mark7
... What I'd like now is to hear them again but with close mics added. Just to see how much of a difference they make in each case. Maybe post up some samples with just the Kick and Snare mics first, and then another set with the Tom and Hat mics (if you use Hat mics).

I can do this, but not with the presently posted clips. I'll do another take and post the separate mics and then the combined...

Thanks...

[Sonixx]

Originally posted by Mark7
I must say that of the three techniques I definitely found the Modified Spaced Pair to be most satisfying.

I agree with you... The modified spaced mics have a depth and width the other two just don't have...

[bgavin]

The Modified Spacing has a much wider stereo field to my ears, but the snare is pushed farther away from my ears. That said, I still like this technique best of the 3.

The other two are very 'mono' sounding.

First, thanks for the efforts and the education. Next, how about some better photos that actually show the details?

On camera flash lets the background go black, and the mics were lost in the blackness. As the perpetual newbie, I'd appreciate seeing some good, clear photos of the setup. If necessary, shoot natural light on a tripod, but ditch the on-camera flash.