57 + Kick = Much better than expected

[hazerlazer]

Because my funds are limited, I'm building my gear collection one or two pieces at a time, which means that I'm stuck with a single 57 and my interface (Tascam FW-1804).

Today, while trying to decide on a kick mic, I figured I'd try throwing my 57 in the kick to see how it goes. Most online samples sound thin and wimpy, so that's how I figured mine would sound.

After messing around with various placements, I came to the one that you see in the picture, the mic just in the porthole, pointed to near the beater.

I'll let the sound clip speak for itself.

kick57.mp3

 

[punkrocker]

Wow much better than I thought as well! What kick drum are you using

 

[ranjam]

They look like Yamaha Rydeen from here. A discontinued 'mid-level' set. The clip sounds like you have it tuned nicely, and even the original heads! With say Aquarian Super Kick on there, you might make it sound like a cannon! You proved you don't need high-end kits to sound like this.

 

[hazerlazer]

Yep, they're Rydeens. Great cheapo drums, the snare is pure ass on a platter (if you look carefully, I'm using a custom maple snare), but the toms and bass sound great tuned tighter.

That's not the stock batter, it's the Remo Powersonic with the external dampening pad removed, with the stock batter ported and placed out front. I tuned both heads quite a bit tighter than you'd expect and used a plastic beater with an impact patch for a little more attack.

57 is halfway in the hole, pointed towards just below the beater.

Thanks for the responses guys, I figured I'd try to share this with those not rich enough to stuff an RE-20 in there.

 

[pandamonk]

Yep, they're Rydeens. Great cheapo drums, the snare is pure ass on a platter (if you look carefully, I'm using a custom maple snare), but the toms and bass sound great tuned tighter.

That's not the stock batter, it's the Remo Powersonic with the external dampening pad removed, with the stock batter ported and placed out front. I tuned both heads quite a bit tighter than you'd expect and used a plastic beater with an impact patch for a little more attack.

57 is halfway in the hole, pointed towards just below the beater.

Thanks for the responses guys, I figured I'd try to share this with those not rich enough to stuff an RE-20 in there.

Sounds a bit dead with that big pillow in there, but yeah sounds good. I'd recommend a smaller pillow or even none at all(it takes a lot to get a good kick sound without damping imo).

 

[hazerlazer]

Sounds a bit dead with that big pillow in there, but yeah sounds good. I'd recommend a smaller pillow or even none at all(it takes a lot to get a good kick sound without damping imo).

Yep, figured that would be mentioned.

I've now just got a towel rolled up against the batter, just to focus the sound a little. Sounds even better recorded.

 

[_brian_]

I'd move the pillow away from the batter slightly, but yeah I've used a 57 on kick before with good results. You'll find that the close proximity will boost the low end (which is what you've done). Moving the mic away & allowing the kicks' sound to develop before it hits the source is what you really want to do for the kick imo. But you'd lose the boost in the bass responce & it would sound thin as you've stated most samples sound.