70`s drum recording; encountering problems.

[Nakatira]

I`ve been recording my old band now for a week and we`ve been trying to get that dead 70`s sound with removed bottom heads and proper muffling, most of those things are under control.

I`ve also tuned the kit down as low as possiple, the kit is a 14 snare 12,14,16 toms and ect. the toms are suited with pinstripe heads.

But the problem is that the heads keep on dropping in tune or getting out of tune, we have to tune them at least to times each day.
I thought it was ok the first day, as I thought it needed some time to settle in, but all the time is a bit to much.

any tips or clues to give an old 70`s prog drum freak.

[Nakatira]

Sorry one more thing We play on a premier drumkit, wich is suposed to be good aint it, at least it was priced that way.

[cobradenim]

Tune the drums higher.

[Nakatira]

Originally Posted by cobradenim

Tune the drums higher.

I was thinking about that but then I have to sacrefice the killer sound of the low pitched drums.
but anyway thanks for replying

[cobradenim]

Just a little bit at a time until you get a happy medium.

[tilinmyowngrave]

Um... I know this is easier said than done but... Get bigger toms. Those help.

[drummerdude666]

To stop the tuning changing then buy some things that stop it from changing it.

They are little plastic things that sit on the lugs and stop it from turning. Sorry i can't be more desciptive. I'll try and find a ink for you later tonight.

[Farview]

Put the tom mics up inside the drums. Use 421s if you can. Floor toms in the 70s tended to have bottom heads. You must also be in a really dead room.
As far as tuning goes, tuning a drumset twice a day when they are being played constantly isn't that bad. Remember, if the room isn't huge, the heat and sweat that the drummer produces changes the temperature and humidity of the room. Changes in temp and humidity will affect the drum tuning.

Everything is fine, just keep tuning the drums.

[Nakatira]

Thanks for the help guys, I`ll try miking with the mike inside the drum that sounded intresting.
Anyway tuning the drums two times a day made me better at tuning drums, so something good came out of it, and offcourse the sound it self is worth it, but as I`m not a drummer I just wanted to see if there was a trick I was missing out on.

Would apreciate a link to the stuff you were talikng about drummer dude.

[my2cents]

Originally Posted by drummerdude666

They are little plastic things that sit on the lugs and stop it from turning. Sorry i can't be more desciptive. I'll try and find a ink for you later tonight.

Lug Locks. I can't vouch for their effectiveness.

[MadAudio]

Originally Posted by my2cents

Lug Locks. I can't vouch for their effectiveness.

I can. They work. And they look like little squares of plastic with a hole in the middle.

[my2cents]

what '70s drum sound are you going for? what recordings are good examples of the sound you're trying to achieve?

[lilblakdak]

Ditch the pinstripes, and get some blackdots. Then mike like Farview said. Then if you still hae too much ring, get out the toiletpaper and duct tape.

[Nakatira]

I`m gonna check out thoose Lug Locks "thanks for the help guys".
I`ve never tried blackdots, but I will give those a shot.

the sound were going for is, quite close to prog acts such as camel, jethro tull and early king crimson (court of the krimson king, wake of posseidion).
really dark and dry sound, that sort of hits you in the face quite "modestly"

but again thanks for the replies guys your all a tremendous help.

[Tim Brown]

Originally Posted by Nakatira

I`m gonna check out thoose Lug Locks "thanks for the help guys".
I`ve never tried blackdots, but I will give those a shot.

the sound were going for is, quite close to prog acts such as camel, jethro tull and early king crimson (court of the krimson king, wake of posseidion).
really dark and dry sound, that sort of hits you in the face quite "modestly"

but again thanks for the replies guys your all a tremendous help.

Blackdots are going to give you a boxy type of sound.
Then what you want is Evan's oilheads. They do one thing, and they do it well - That 70's "Thuddy" kind of studio drum sound.


Also, let me turn you onto a killer prog act from back then.

Gnidrolog

They are quickly becoming a favorite for me.



Tim

[White_Rabbit]

How strange, only last night I was lying in bed listening ever-so-intently to In The Court Of The Crimson King, thinking about how awesome the drums sounded back then, considering posting here asking for tips on how to get such a sound, only to wake up this morning to find a thread on the front page all about it, this site rules!

[lilblakdak]

The reason I suggested blackdots is that almost everyone used them in late 70's early 80's from Bonham and Paice to Alex Van Halen and Peter Criss.

[msmales555]

Originally Posted by White_Rabbit

How strange, only last night I was lying in bed listening ever-so-intently to In The Court Of The Crimson King, thinking about how awesome the drums sounded back then, considering posting here asking for tips on how to get such a sound, only to wake up this morning to find a thread on the front page all about it, this site rules!

Synchronicity!

[Nakatira]

Originally Posted by White_Rabbit

How strange, only last night I was lying in bed listening ever-so-intently to In The Court Of The Crimson King, thinking about how awesome the drums sounded back then, considering posting here asking for tips on how to get such a sound, only to wake up this morning to find a thread on the front page all about it, this site rules!

That album really kicks ass, I just love the way it starts with 21ct scizoid man.
They sure could swing those drum sticks back then.

Will check out Gnidrolog, I`ve heard about them but never got around to give em` a listen.
and thanks for the advice about the evans oilskin will check them out as well.

we just finnished our last drum track today, so I will post a link in the near future if anyone is intrested.

thanks for the input everyone.

[ez_willis]

Are the heads seated on the drum properly?

[drummerdude666]

I can't find a link anywhere for the Lug Locks. Sorry.

But they DO work, so get down your local music store and get them to find you some

[Nakatira]

Originally Posted by ez_willis

Are the heads seated on the drum properly?

Yeah I do think so, I had a friend over who`s been playing for years to put them on and do the intial tuning, after that I went on with tuning em down as far as I could and lots of muffling.

I`m sure I`ll get a hold of thos lug locks, thanks for trying drummerdude.

keep up the good work guys.