2 drum mic positioning questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter wes480
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wes480

wes480

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On overheads...

If you are using small diaphragm condensors, like MXL603s,

Do you guys normally put them in an XY holder and have them point basically straight down? Or, separating them a lot and have them pointing straight down...

A problem I have had is that I think I am not getting the best sound I can because I have the mics angled a lot, so the pickup pattern of the mic isn't getting that direct of a signal.

Hmmm..

Also, how high above the snare do you normally place the snare mic? I am having a hard time getting it to be in the middle of the drum, but also out of the players way.
 
I'm not really a fan of the XY position so I usually separate them and point them straight down. Lately I've been putting the one above the snare at about two drumstick lengths (from the center of the snare) and the one above the ride at about the same distance. If you can't get the mic in front of the kit to be out of the drummers way, then try it from the side. Just experiment! :)
 
do you get tedius about phase problems when you put your overheads up?

How far apart do you separate them, high above the set?

I guess they tend then to pick up more of the sound directly underneath them, instead of to the sides...I guess the whole image should be good though...

With ECM8000s as overheads, I guess it doesn't matter which way you point them, just where you have them at?
 
If your overheads are equidistant from the center of the snare you should not have phase problems. You DO have to check your other mics though! You'll just have to experiment with how high you place them. Get a guitar/mic cable and use that as your "ruler."
 
* Spacing them farther apart will make the kit sound "larger" or more spread out.

* XY-ing them will focus it a little better/tighter.

* Close-micing will make room noise less of a factor. and will allow you more of a closer, more "in-your-face" sound.

* Pulling them back a ways will bring in more of the room and give you a "broader picture" of the kit.
 
Seems like I read somewhere to place them the same distance apart as the height from the kit up to the mics. Wish I could remember where I saw that. :confused:

DD
 
Ya know what I always wanted to know???


If you use the 2 stick method, is one mic a lot lower than the other? Cuz 2 sticks up is different than 2 sticks at an angle from the snare. Equidistant would have one mic lower, right?

For the record, Im not being a smart ass....I really want to know.



heylow
 
The mic over the ride/floor tom will be lower than the mic over the snare. Heylow, the last time I checked 32 inches was 32 inches! :)
 
Right.....cool.


Ya gotta ask if ya wanna know, right?:D



Thanks,

heylow
 
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