Cymbals- nasty ringing problem...can someone please help me?!

  • Thread starter Thread starter CrispnV
  • Start date Start date
C

CrispnV

New member
Hey, Ok I've got a pretty big problem here and I want to explain it, and see if you guys have any ideas or solutions...

Allright, I recorded this group of songs at a studio, everything went well and sounded good. Unfortunately, a few months later, I, and a few of my friends noticed a rather nasty high-pitched ringing in the cymbals, like a horrible shrieking. It is somewhat subtle, but once I heard it, it was all I could hear. Needless to say, it surrounds the songs and sounds awful!

This ringing is particularly nasty and offensive when I'm hitting the ride at an angle, but is also present in the crashes and hi-hats.

I was first told to take the songs to a mastering place and have them fix this problem by altering the already mixed versions of the songs...So I took the songs to two different mastering places, both attempted to put a sharp eq curve right where the ringing seemed to be at it's nastiest, this helped, but didn't even come close to eliminating the overall offensive ringing.

My next suggestion was to get the tracks back from the studio. I did this and assumed that EQing just the overheads would get rid of the ringing without effecting any of the other instruments. I had been told and was under the impression that this awful ringing was at one specific frequency on the eq spectrum...I was and was told wrong.

I tried all different kinds of EQ's and a bandpass, and they all did the same thing, the problem was that to get rid of this ringing, I had to completely crush any brightness in the cymbals, making them sound incredibly dark, and just plain bad. In other words, the ringing is across the entire upper register of the EQ spectrum, and to get rid of it, I would have to crush the entire upper register. This of course would ruin, and almost eliminate the cymbals sound.

SO...my question to you guys is: Is there a solution to this problem? Is there any way to somehow get this horrible ringing out and still keep the bright wash of the cymbals?

I have to believe that there is a solution out there, so is there any kind of filter or noise reducer or something like that that might solve this?

If anyone can help me out, I would so greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone could actually personally work on this and fix it, I would definitely pay you well.

Thanks so much for hearing me out!
 
I though he was under the assumption that it was some tracking/mixing issue that could be fixed.

If they were shitty cymbals to begin with, you'll probably be stuck with a shitty sound.


Before my brother passed on his lovely cymbal collection to me, I had similar problems.
 
It could be fixed.

It'll never sound as good as if he had used good cymbals in the first place, but it could be improved on easily enough by someone who knows how to finesse a multiband compressor the right way.
 
OK, firstly the cymbals I used had been used to record four other CD's, one of which was actually in that same studio. None of these had any problems whatsoever, they all sounded great, and going back and listening to each of the past recordings, there are no problems at all...I've been told by a couple of recording engineers that he either

1. Was using really awful pre-amps

or

2. Had the gain up way too high on the pre-amps

Either way, I just wanted to let you all know that these were all high end Zildjain and Sabian Cymbals, and all of them have this ringing, the hats, both crashes, and the ride.

Given all the above facts, it's hard to argue that there is an inherent problem with they cymbals themselves.

I'm just trying to give you guys the facts, maybe that could clear something up and spark some ideas?

OK so a multiband compressor? I'll try to give that a shot, thanks Chess...

Anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks again everyone
 
CrispnV said:
OK so a multiband compressor? I'll try to give that a shot, thanks Chess...
Click to expand...

Notice I said "someone who knows how to finesse a multiband compressor." -- as opposed to just a multiband comp.

It's a lot easier to screw something up with one of those things (and kill your high end) than it is to actually fix something with it. :D You kinda' gotta' know what you're doing.

Good luck.
 
Well you can try all the cool tricks in the world, but probably nothing will ultimately make you say "That sounds great!!!". You have fallen into that old addage: "Garbage In, Garbage Out", by no fault of your own. I would suggest, that if possible you retrack the drums. If you use the same studio, ask them to try different mic and pre combinations and spend good quality time carefully checking everything.

If the problem persists, you can try something I tried.

TAPE

I used have a PAISTE 3000 20" Power Ride. This thing had a freakin' huge bell and was extremely thick, and thus had an overtone that was deafening when I played, especially live. I found that using tape, strategically placed around the cymbal, I could shape, and define the overtones and harmonics.

Try all kinds of different tapes (Personally, I became fond of the cloth-type surgical tape, Easy To Remove:-). You may find that just a small strip across the edge (Opposite of the striking edge), cuts enough overtone to give you a tighter sound. If thats to much, refine your control by placing small 1/2" squares on top and bottom. I know people will laugh at this, but it works!!! Trust Me!!!
 
yah

Atterion, that sounds great, but unfortunately that would be impossible really, all the drums were recorded first, and then the instuments on top of that.

So I would basically have to start all over. Tracking the drums in time with the rest of the stuff wouldn't be possible.

Well I've got some things going right now that sound somewhat promising for fixing this mistake. I believe it will be fixed eventually.

I realize of course that I'm not going to hear the result and be totally thrilled, I just want to get rid of this nasty ringing sound and still have a somewhat decent cymbal sound, that's all.

I really does hurt to know that this is not my fault at all, but hey, I just have to do what's best with what I have out in front of me right now. I've been dealt a hand so to speak. Thanks for saying that though, it makes me feel better in a way. I'll also keep your tape idea in mind for the future.
 
I had a similar problem. my drummer likes to use a certain crash ride that has a NASTY ring to it as well. After messing with the eq for hours i found that 10K is the frequency to play with. what i been doing with my eq on my overheads has been boosting 12.5k and up (with a shelf) to make the cymbals nice and bright, not too much though. then i either leave 10k alone, or cut a few DBs. try not to cut too much and make sure the Q is kinda sharp. mess around with those ideas, they worked for me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top