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gsalazar
New member
What are the optimal compression settings for mic'ing the bass drum and snare in a live production. I can't get a true snap out of the snare or punch out of the bass drum. Any help would be appreciated.
Seafroggys
Well-known member
Tuning and playing
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mixsit
Well-known member
Just a few off the cuff
Some often seen mic positions- placed well into the skin of the snare, might not have a lot of snapy' in there to grab.
As far as punch from a kick, maybe tailoring the tone and controlling the decay/ring if need be for a tight efficient fit, and raising the volume. Whether that extends into compression for leveling, and/or opening the attack to let the peak through, guess that depends.
Some often seen mic positions- placed well into the skin of the snare, might not have a lot of snapy' in there to grab.
As far as punch from a kick, maybe tailoring the tone and controlling the decay/ring if need be for a tight efficient fit, and raising the volume. Whether that extends into compression for leveling, and/or opening the attack to let the peak through, guess that depends.
witzendoz
Senior Member
You need a drum sound before you even think about compression, first a good record drum sound then fine tune with compression to suit the song, if need at all.
The answer to every compression, eq, setting question, you do what is required there is no magic compression setting.
Alan.
The answer to every compression, eq, setting question, you do what is required there is no magic compression setting.
Alan.
Massive Master
www.massivemastering.com
Without a doubt, that's 95% of it right there. You can "enhance" somewhat, but if it isn't there, it isn't there.
Mo Facta
Farts of Nature
End of thread.
TASCAM MAN
New member
The closer you mic the drums the more punchier/compressed/controlled they will sound. If you really want a good tight punchy kick,take the front head off,put a blanket inside letting it touch the batter head and place an EVRE20 a couple inches away from the beater head, experiment with how close and what position the mic goes. 
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gsalazar
New member
I've got an EV RE20 so with that all the roll off switches flat? Or just tune to taste? The drums are tuned, new heads, the snare is a TAMA
12" Starclassic. I've heard everything from positioning the bass drum mic towards the shell or towards the head. There is some dampening foam in the drum. Should i remove some of it?
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12" Starclassic. I've heard everything from positioning the bass drum mic towards the shell or towards the head. There is some dampening foam in the drum. Should i remove some of it?
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TASCAM MAN
New member
For the kick Id say for "click and punch" face it right at the beater head no further than 2" away from it. and the dampening foam should stay unless you want more "boom" rather than "click/compression" but as far as the roll off switches yes experiment. A young engineer showed me this tecnic yrs. ago with a rock band we recorded together.I didn't even want him to take the front head of of my bass drum but after I heard the results I changed my mind very quickly !!!
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cormac
New member
JG96
Active member
Like others said if you are not getting attack check the drums first. Are the heads ancient? Do you hear some attack and punch naturally. You are going to want a slow attack and a fast release for drums to really have some snap. usually I go with an attack between 3-10 ms on snare. 10-30 ms on toms and around 10 on bass drum. Thats just what has worked for me though.
Use your ears to fine tune.
Use your ears to fine tune.