Beach Umbrella over Drums Method???

[studiodrum]

Has anyone ever heard of a method of using a large beach, or patio Umbrella as an overhead baffle. I recently came across two older books on home recording techniques from the 70's and 80's with a lot of make shift do it yourself techniques on how to effectively treat a room for multi-track recording.

Now, I'm sure that the majority of these techniques are not 100% effective, compared to some good bass traps, and acoustical paneling. But, I'm just curious if anyone has ever used this technique as a make shift ceiling treatment method, or a type of drum separation baffle, with any success . . .

Anyway, here is a passage from a book called: Handbook of Multichannel Recording, by Alton Everest, circa 1995.

Umbrella Baffle
Large Beach, and Patio umbrellas of heavy Material are being used to provide a modest amount of overhead baffling. Most commonly used over the drums, ..such umbrella could help somewhat in obtaining a tighter sound and reducing leakage to other tracks, especially in the presence of a low, reflective ceiling. . .

second book with this Umbrella over the drum method found was a book short workbook distributed by Tascam, as a Do-It Yourself Home recording Guide, called: The Multitrack Primer, by Dick Rosmini, circa 1980, . . and the passage reads:

When recording drums, the best results are obtained if the room is large and the set is not too closely confined by baffles. If the sound reflects from hard surfaces and enters the mic a second time, the sound of the room will be evident on the tape. Acoustic treatment of the walls and/or floor may be necessary. If the ceiling proves to be the problem, a large (8' or 9') beach umbrella suspended over the set may work .. .

[Dani Pace]

The idea is along the same lines as a "cloud" and may or may not work, I can't say as I've never tried an umbrella. I can say a cloud hung over drums does help a lot to eliminate reflections and cut down on the harshness of some cymbals. For a cloud I used 1"X2" wood to make a frame, 7'X8', stapled upholstry materal over it, laid insulation on top, then suspended it over the drums about a foot higher at the front than at the rear. I also mounted a couple of gooseneck mic holders to spring clamps so I can hang mics from either side for my overhead drum mics. The cloud improved the sound and mounting the mics from it eliminated mic stands so I gained in two ways, plus it cost less to build than an umbrella 7or 8 ft. across would cost.

[dwarf]

Originally Posted by Dani Pace

The idea is along the same lines as a "cloud" and may or may not work, I can't say as I've never tried an umbrella. I can say a cloud hung over drums does help a lot to eliminate reflections and cut down on the harshness of some cymbals. For a cloud I used 1"X2" wood to make a frame, 7'X8', stapled upholstry materal over it, laid insulation on top, then suspended it over the drums about a foot higher at the front than at the rear. I also mounted a couple of gooseneck mic holders to spring clamps so I can hang mics from either side for my overhead drum mics. The cloud improved the sound and mounting the mics from it eliminated mic stands so I gained in two ways, plus it cost less to build than an umbrella 7or 8 ft. across would cost.

Holy shit!

I'm going to be doing that with my drums, I thank you foor this you have saved me 2 mic stands and helped the overall forthcoming of my studio.

Thank you kind sir

[mharr552000]

That Multitrack Primer booklet was in the Tascam Sam Getcha Goin' Pack that came with the Tascam PortaOne 4-track I bought in 1985. It also had a pad of track sheets, some blank cassettes, cheap headphones and a cheap mic with a glued on yellow windscreen.

[Nothingface]

If anyone's interested, there's a cool thread @www.johnlsayers.com that shows a really kick-ass cloud by a member named Kendale. I'm ripping-off his idea for my little project studio.

[studiodrum]

Hey 'Nothingface' Thanks for the info! If you can post the link to that specific thread that would be great!

[dwarf]

...word

[NL5]

Originally Posted by Nothingface

If anyone's interested, there's a cool thread @www.johnlsayers.com that shows a really kick-ass cloud by a member named Kendale. I'm ripping-off his idea for my little project studio.

Yep - I ripped it off as well - I have a thread over there, and here in the studio building forum - check them out as well. i simplified his design a bit, but basically the same idea.

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=201028

http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6320