feedback ... drums

[grn]

oktava mk012s on overhead, using this method: http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=39030

and shure sm57, studio projects b1 on kick.

how is the mix? how does it sound? we just retuned the drums and stuff...

anyway check it out: http://www.templatecentral.net/drums5.mp3

how can we improve the RECORDING. constructive criticism.

[darnold]

Sounds pretty balanced. Definately could use a little reverb on the snare and maybe the whole kit. The kick is probably my least favorite of the whole kit sound. Doesnt really sound like a mic problem but more of a tuning problem. Unless you wanted it to sound high pitched and really round (almost like a tom).

Danny

[grn]

hmm... I think we tuned them all in the key of D so they would all match. maybe we'll try a lower note on that scale. we wanted to get more of a boom than a thud.

[grn]

any help is appreciated =(

I just want to get it to an acceptable level.

[mixsit]

Try panning in (depending of course.)
Dito on the kick.
Wayne

[Herm]

I think I would try a little more dampening on the kick.
And before i spent to much time on it I would see how well the sound of the drums fit into a mix cause everything you do now may end up a waist of time when all your instruments get going.
No need to worry about things like reverb till its mix time.

[Rev E]

Ditto on the tuning issue. Where is the B1 positioned in relation the kick? Does the kick have a hole or not? Further in front of the kick = more boom. Closer to the front head (inside kick) = more snap/click. If there is no hole, that will change things as well.

[grn]

well fellas, there is no hole in the front. I think I agree with the dampening and I will try that before posting another clip. The SM57 on the kick is about 5 to 6 inches in front of the kick, pointing upwards toward the center. The SP B1 is about 2 feet back (it's a condenser and I don't really want to mess it up with the air pressure). The sp b1 is dead center off of the ground to the kick. the SM57 is below the center, about 3 inches but pointing towards it.

I think more dampening? do you really think I should loosen it? or do you think dampening may work? any EQ tips for the kick? should I use a noise gate on the kick?

[noiseportrait]

I LOVE that drum micing technique! It works every time. The recording sounds pretty good. I'd definitely try re-tuning the bass drum. I'd also add some high end to the whole mix. The room you recorded the drums in must be REALLY dead, because there is almost no reverb or sparkle to the cymbals at all. I'd throw a sheet of plywood under the drumset to try and get some of the high end back.

[ausrock]

Get someone to play just the kick, and try dampening the front (resonant) head with just one finger........lightly at first then increase the pressure.........listen for the change in sound and see if you hear something more suitable than what you presently have.

If so, then make up a dampening pad about the size of a ciggie packet out of a piece of foam rubber or rolled up cloth and hold it in place against the head with a length of gaffa tape stretched across the front hoop. The depth of the pad needs to be sufficient to put adequate pressure on the head when the gaffa is tight.

This may also allow you to bring the B1 in closer to the kick as well.

[grn]

ok. I added a bit more reverb and brought up the high's (for the cymbals). I think I may have overcompressed the toms - not sure. I dampened the kick and brought it down. there's more of a thud, you can feel it now.

please tell me how this sounds.
http://www.templatecentral.net/drums6.mp3

is it acceptable? what can I do to fix it? any EQ suggestions? thank very much! I REALLY, REALLY appreciate this a ton.

[grn]

also, is there some way I can eliminate the kick sound in the OH's so I can just hear it from the kick mic? I AM using a noise gate on kick mic. this is with two oktava mk012s as overheads and shure sm57 as kick. sp b1 sounds like crap on kick.

[Herm]

Ah quit treating that B1 like its a little girl. move it up closer to the kick.

[grn]

there's no b1 on the last clip. thanks for at least responding though.

[ausrock]

O/heads will always pick up the whole kit (really, that is the whole idea), so if you have a 57 and a B1 use them on the snare and kick respectively, that way you have a chance of adding in extra dynamics from those mics to give the total drum sound some life.

It is quite possible with the 012's, with careful placement and a suitable kit, to get satisfactory drum tracks without using any other mics.

[grn]

alright, I'll try the sp b1 on kick... I just don't want to ruin my mics, you know... on a low budget of $0 right now. I did notice that the 012s on the whole kit sound actually quite good with the placement I used (see above) if I just do a little EQ'ing... boost up the 80 and bring up some high's and it sounds quite nice.

I think I got the drums to an acceptable sound.
http://www.templatecentral.net/drums8.mp3 : latest clip

this one sounds best to me. do you think this would be quality enough for ... like college radio or community radio? obviously there would be other tracks, but is this an acceptable balance/sound? thanks for all the help. I've come a long way in a week.

[Rev E]

Since you don't have a hole on the kick, there's no need to be concerned with air pressure messing with the B1. There's little to no air coming at the mic (just sound pressure). Move the B1 closer to the kick. Do some more dampening of the kick and tune the kick a bit lower. Loosen the resonant head a bit lower. If you have access to the B1, I'd say use only one kick mic. I've rarely found two kick mics on the same side of the drum to work unless 1) you do quite a bit of EQ sculpting while recording or 2) one mic is really a room mic and is relatively farther away from the kit. The B1 is full range and by itself should get you there easier.

[grn]

took me a few days, but I did what you guys said:
detuned the kick, added more dampening, and stuck the b1 up pretty close... this is what came of it... thanks for all your help... is there anything else that needs to be done aside from start recording *good* tracks instead of muddling around to get a good sound

http://www.templatecentral.net/ds.mp3

is there TOO much snare rumble, if so... any EQ tips? dampening tips?

[grn]

please help =(