Drum overhead phasing

[jonhall5446]

Hello all,

I have been experiencing a bit of phasing with my drum overhead track. I am running one condenser for the overhead. My drummer does great cymbal work and I would like to really bring it out in the mix but when I bring the volume it creates a small phasing sound. Doesn't sound as bad after bouncing the track but I am sure it is there. Any advice would be great!

 

[Track Rat]

How many mics on the kit and where do you have them positioned?

 

[jonhall5446]

Mics-
Snare
Kick
1 Tom
Flr Tom
1 overhead (condenser)

It seems that the phasing lies in the overhead mic but could it have something to do with another track creating this sound. Would phasing be caused by one track alone or several tracks played together?

Low budget mics / except overhead cndsr

 

[Bulls Hit]

You won't hear any phasing with one track on its own.

If you zoom in on the waveforms in your recorded tracks you'll clearly see where peaks and troughs are overlapping between different mics. If they're completely out of phase, you'll be getting cancellation and losing punch.

In my case the overhead mic is usually the culprit. You can fix this either by sliding the overhead track forwards or backwards slightly so peaks line up with peaks on the snare & other tracks, or else flip the phase on the mic while you record

 

[BrettB]

many ixers and software programs have a phase invert switch. When you hear the phasing when you are soundchecking, just move the m ics untill the phasing is gone, with the 3:1 rule

 

[Track Rat]

Try bringing the overhead mic to about two drum sticks length (laid end to end) directly over the snare aimed at the snare. If the other mics are all tight on their respective drums this might help. I also second that if you can compare the individual drum wav forms in a DAW you'll be able to see any phase problems.

 

[xfinsterx]

I also second that if you can compare the individual drum wav forms in a DAW you'll be able to see any phase problems.

break that down for me please.
(pics of the waves if you got em)

 

[Track Rat]

If you bring up the drum wavs and find a point where you can see a common drum in all the tracks (whatever you think sounds strange, a cybal hit or snare, etc) and zoom in. The wavs should all look ABOUT the same as far as their basic shape, not amplitude. They won't be totally lined up in time as the sound from that snare arrives at the different mics at different times (hence, phase issues). Now if any of the wavs are a complete mirrored opposite of the rest of the wavs, it's 180 degrees out of phase and probably should be inverted (use your ears here. If you flip it and it doesn't sound any better, put it back the way it was). Also the farther the wavs are apart (with sufficient amplitude) the phase will start to "comb filter". This can appear as a hollow, flangy kind of sound. Sometimes you can minimize this by sliding the tracks into phase allignment with each other, sometimes not. You just have to use your ears.

 

[xfinsterx]

If you bring up the drum wavs and find a point where you can see a common drum in all the tracks (whatever you think sounds strange, a cybal hit or snare, etc) and zoom in. The wavs should all look ABOUT the same as far as their basic shape, not amplitude. They won't be totally lined up in time as the sound from that snare arrives at the different mics at different times (hence, phase issues). Now if any of the wavs are a complete mirrored opposite of the rest of the wavs, it's 180 degrees out of phase and probably should be inverted (use your ears here. If you flip it and it doesn't sound any better, put it back the way it was). Also the farther the wavs are apart (with sufficient amplitude) the phase will start to "comb filter". This can appear as a hollow, flangy kind of sound. Sometimes you can minimize this by sliding the tracks into phase allignment with each other, sometimes not. You just have to use your ears.

will do champ.
thanx

 

[jonhall5446]

I am running pro tools so hopefully I can line everything up properly. I originally had the overhead over the snare but combined with the snare mic it was overpowering the cymbals, which is what I need in the overheads. I'll try moving it around a bit. Thanks for the help!