C1 and B1 for overheads

[Robertt8]

SPC1 and SPB1 for overheads...it's all I've got...

All I've got in the way of condensor mics (save my mxl990 wich sucks ass), is the SP C1 and SP B1 for overhead mic'ing of drums...Sonixx gave me some ideas for mic placement for a pair of C1s, but what if all I've got is a B1 and C1.

This is where Sonixx put his C1s and got some good sound...two C1s, one over the Snare (pointed at the Snare) and the other mic is over my right shoulder (basically pointed at the kick)... both are about 42 inches from the Snare and equidistant from the kick. This is the Recorderman technique.

Where would I put the C1 and where do I put the B1? ...or maybe in this case you'd place them in different places?

By the way, this is based on sonixx's post at... https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=120390

Thanks!

 

[ozraves]

Check out this article on mic'ing a drum kit: http://store.yahoo.com/mercenary-audio/3micdrumstuf.html

 

[Robertt8]

hey! thanks! that looks like a bunch of great ideas! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[alanhyatt]

Where would I put the C1 and where do I put the B1? ...or maybe in this case you'd place them in different places?

Thanks!

I hate to say this, but you need to put them where they sound best. Mic placement is and always will be one of or the most important thing you need to do. I suggest you sit on the drums with a pair of cans and monitor both mics. While doing this set the placement of the mikes over the drums where you are personally satisfied with the sound you are hearing. That is your starting point.

Then do some short recording takes and listen back. Then make your adjustments from there. I am sure you will be happy with the results.

 

[Robertt8]

hey, thanks alan. I was hoping there were some tips from people who may have tried this before with these two particular mics...but i guess not. my drummer is pretty fidgety, so I was hoping to get in the ball park before he looses interest before I even start moving mics around...

on a side note, he's a REALLY good drummer and only uses a basic setup for practice...ie) snare, bass, 1 tom, high hat, and one cymbal, but everything is very jammed together, I'm kind of worried I'm not going to get any stereo sound there. I mean, he's got the snare, cymbal, and hi-hat all right next to each other/stacked, so I'm probably not getting much separation on that am i?

 

[alanhyatt]

I'm kind of worried I'm not going to get any stereo sound there. I mean, he's got the snare, cymbal, and hi-hat all right next to each other/stacked, so I'm probably not getting much separation on that am i?

Well, you never know how it will turn out until you do it. You might find that you will get what you need. Just have him play while you place the mikes while listening through some headphones to set the starting position.

 

[mrface2112]

stereo drums out of that sort of drum kit? why bother? i'd throw that B1 up there as a mono overhead, mix it with the kick, snare and tom mic and be done with it......and then for grins, i'd put the C1 instead of the B1 up there and see if that sounded any better. then put whichever mic that you don't use as an overhead as a room mic, out in front of the kit.

some of the best drum sounds ever have been mono, and IMO, you can work around a mono drum sound a LOT easier in a mix than you can a huge stereo kit. if you ask me, with a drumset that small, making it sound stereo (especially hard-panned L&R) will make it sound "off". i mean, what kind of stereo image do you naturally get from being in a room with a kit that small? maybe hihat on the slight left and some ride on the slight right, but that's it, right? the kick, snare and tom are all in the middle, right? so why not record and mix it that way?

obviously, don't let me tell you what to do.....but if given those tools and that set of drums, i'd do it in mono and call it done.


wade

 

[Sonixx]

Hi Robert,

Here'e another clip with my kit. I went back to Single Ply heads, although not new... I'm going for a more open sound, similar to the first Led Zeppelin album. Please remember drumming is not my forte.

FWIW here's a post: Bigger more open Kit Demo

Mics:
e22S(pair) - Overheads Snare/Shoulder positioning
md421 - 13" Tom Top
mk012 - 13" Tom Bottom
mk012 - 18" Tom Top
U195 - Kick

Additionally:
Some compression
Gating of Toms and Kick
Some reverb.

-Keith-

 

[Robertt8]

Hey, thanks guys! all good ideas!

And Wade, you make a good point. I'll have to keep that in mind, and possibly scratch the Stereo thing.

Also, Alan...or anyone else for that matter, i'm assuming I can't put the C1 or the B1 that close to the bass drum without blowing them out. is that correct?

Thanks!

 

[alanhyatt]

Hey, thanks guys! all good ideas!

And Wade, you make a good point. I'll have to keep that in mind, and possibly scratch the Stereo thing.

Also, Alan...or anyone else for that matter, i'm assuming I can't put the C1 or the B1 that close to the bass drum without blowing them out. is that correct?

Thanks!

Robert, actuall as long as you use a pop screen, you can use the C1or B1 for the kick. It is not designed for it, but I have used the C1 that way successfully on a few occaisions. Just make sure you use a screen if you do it.

 

[Robertt8]

Robert, actuall as long as you use a pop screen, you can use the C1or B1 for the kick. It is not designed for it, but I have used the C1 that way successfully on a few occaisions. Just make sure you use a screen if you do it.

can do...does that keep the mic from getting too much pressure? it seems like it would still come through..

 

[Robertt8]

Okay, well...I figured I'd post my results of using the Studio Projects B1 and C1 for overheads. I had to throw a SM58 near the kickdrum to pick up the bass a bit better, but here it is. It sounds OK to me, but what do I know... I'm just trying to make do with what I've got. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

http://www.roberttait.com/blueprint/blueprint.html

Thanks
Tait