Condenser Mic on Bass Drum

  • Thread starter Thread starter Seafroggys
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Seafroggys

Seafroggys

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So my AT4047 came in, and while I bought it so I can have a solid decent vocal mic, I put it to use as a bass drum mic. I'm a fan of minimal drum mics, so while I have heard of the ol' dynamic at sound hole and condenser 3-4' back trick, I want to do just the AT4047 on the bass drum, without any other mics on the drum (and I know this has been done before).

What would be the closest I should put the thing? I tried 8" in front of both the center and the sound hole today, and got pretty good results (after retuning the drum a bit). But can it be done closer without damage, or should I just stick to 8"? Also, it picks up my cymbals quite a bit, so maybe a corridor of blankets to help cut down on the highs? But I don't want to suck the life out of the bass drum either.....
 
Seafroggys said:
So my AT4047 came in, and while I bought it so I can have a solid decent vocal mic, I put it to use as a bass drum mic. I'm a fan of minimal drum mics, so while I have heard of the ol' dynamic at sound hole and condenser 3-4' back trick, I want to do just the AT4047 on the bass drum, without any other mics on the drum (and I know this has been done before).

What would be the closest I should put the thing? I tried 8" in front of both the center and the sound hole today, and got pretty good results (after retuning the drum a bit). But can it be done closer without damage, or should I just stick to 8"? Also, it picks up my cymbals quite a bit, so maybe a corridor of blankets to help cut down on the highs? But I don't want to suck the life out of the bass drum either.....
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You can always try the 'tunnel' approach to help with that bleed in the kick mic. I have used it many times even tho it looks quite silly. Proven by my pix. :)
 
I wouldn't put it close to a hole as the wind blast could damged the diaphrame. However I've put LDCs right up within inches of the resonant head with great results and no damage.
 
Track Rat said:
I wouldn't put it close to a hole as the wind blast could damged the diaphrame. However I've put LDCs right up within inches of the resonant head with great results and no damage.
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Not to mention the wind blast sounds of ass. I have had best results using the combo of dynamic inside pointed at beater, LDC 3 0r so inches from outer head just off center. I have been experimenting with the subkick build at the end of that silly tunnel with decent results, tho lately I am getting better results with enhancing it all with SS Trigger. For less than the cost of a cheap mic, it really takes the guesswork out of the equation. Maybe I'm just lazy, but damn, I cant argue with a perfect kick drum with no bleed. :)
 
jimmys69 said:
Not to mention the wind blast sounds of ass. I have had best results using the combo of dynamic inside pointed at beater, LDC 3 0r so inches from outer head just off center. I have been experimenting with the subkick build at the end of that silly tunnel with decent results, tho lately I am getting better results with enhancing it all with SS Trigger. For less than the cost of a cheap mic, it really takes the guesswork out of the equation. Maybe I'm just lazy, but damn, I cant argue with a perfect kick drum with no bleed. :)
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☼ I know what you mean Jim. Once you go trigger you'll never go back!
 
Yeah. Seems the best idea. I am mixing a project now for some friends who recorded in their rehearsal space. The kick drum track was destroyed with clipping and totally unusable. It was however a perfect input for Trigger. Saved the project.
 
I understand why triggers and samples would be desireable but I love the challenge of getting what I can get out of the drums with mics.
 
Cool, so if its in front of the sound hole, maybe keep it back at 8", but if its more centered I can bring it closer. I'll try using blankets too...another thought is I like how the OH's pick up the very top end thud of the bass drum and it actually adds to the overall sound. Hopefully I don't lose that.
 
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