Drum head port position

[Rusty K]

A question from a non drummer...

Why is the port on the front drum head usually positioned at 4 oclock?

Thanks

[Greg_L]

Originally Posted by Rusty K

A question from a non drummer...

Why is the port on the front drum head usually positioned at 4 oclock?

Thanks

So you can use a shorty mic stand. 12 o'clock is too high and 6 is too low. 4 or 8 o'clock is just about right.

[Rusty K]

Originally Posted by Greg_L

So you can use a shorty mic stand. 12 o'clock is too high and 6 is too low. 4 or 8 o'clock is just about right.

So there is no acoustic reason for that position? We just lay the mic inside the drum on a pillow.

Thanks

[Farview]

The 4 o'clock position also is so, if you use a boom to put the mic inside the drum, the mic is pointed away from the snare.

[Greg_L]

Originally Posted by Rusty K

So there is no acoustic reason for that position? We just lay the mic inside the drum on a pillow.

Thanks

If that works for you, rock on. I like my mic to be in the space of the drum.

[acattoir]

Good question. I think 2 oclock makes positioning a mic a lot less of a hassle.
ac

[Farview]

I actually go for the 3 oclock position on the mian kick and the 9 oclock position on the second kick. It looks cross-eyed, but the mics are pointed away from the snare.

[Rusty K]

Got it! Thanks guys. I thought that it might have more to do with the acoustics of the bass drum but I think you've cleared that up.

Rusty K

[KineticSound]

Rusty,
The hole does make an acoustic impact, but it's more of a "center" vs. "off-center" discussion. Cutting the hole right in the middle of the front head will bring out more attack and remove some of the bottom end of the tone. Off center will retain the bottom end, and you would need to point a mic at the spot where the beater meets the head for more attack. No hole at all and you'll get a huge "whoomp".
Aside from those differences, where an off center hole is aligned will make no difference, save for the aforementioned ability to point a mic away from the snare drum.