Drum recording, compression and eq

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jblount
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Jblount

Jblount

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Hey, new member here. I am recording tracks for my churchs adult choir. They needed new music, i have a Roland 1680, u do the math. I have recorded most of the instruments, but am stuck at the drums. We have a Yamaha dt express (peice of junk) and my kit, a Mapex M series. I have miked the Mapex kit, and was wondering about using compression and maybe eq the signal pre Roland. We have 3- 2 channel Alesis compressor w gate unit, and two alesis meq230s. Does anyone have any sudgestions? I really dont want to use the dtx! I have decent mics, and just wondering about tweaking the signal in the analog world before it goes to the Roland.
 
I'll say this:

Remember that if you compress or EQ before going to tape/disk there is no way of undoing it. If you over due it, get ready to re-record.

:)
 
With those compressors to choose from I would just record with no dynamic effects and just tweak the EQ and compression in the mix with the Roland options.

Now if you had an RNC or something decent I might think differently.
 
Roland

The only problem is Rolands onboard eq and compressor program, they are kinda hard to work with. What kind of compressor would you use? I can record the track and loop out to the comp and loop back, so that i can tweak and not have to re-record. Has anyone here ever used compression or an EQ when recording drums? If so please lend me a few sudgestions. I understand how to properly use both pieces of equipment, just wanted some hints.
 
You Don't HAVE To Compress (do you?)

I am a studio owner / Engineer and a gigging drummer. I record drums all the time and am VERY picky on my sound. I never record with compression. In fact I never compress the individual tracks either unless I absolutely have to, do to a drastic hit level difference where I got over zealous.
Compression, particularly on drums, will tend to kill the punch and drive. If not done correctly it will make a wimpy muddy jumble out of the sound.

It is better if at all possible to have the drummer play as consistant as possible and just watch you levels.
 
Re: You Don't HAVE To Compress (do you?)

tmix said:
I never record with compression. In fact I never compress the individual tracks either unless I absolutely have to, do to a drastic hit level difference where I got over zealous.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. I have never compressed drums unless someone has specifically requested "that" sound which is rare.
 
Hey thanks guys, I have made a rough mix down, and I am pretty happy with the drums as they are. I just did a little tweaking on the eq on the overall mix. I am looking also into mics, what kind of kick mics would you sudgest?
 
Well what are you currently using?

Also, what kind of sound are you looking for: accurate, tailored ("pre-eq'd"), etc.

Good old standard choices are:

AKG D112
Shure Beta 52
AT ATM25
AT Pro 25
 
I have the AKG D112 and the ATM 25 But I bought a EV N/D 868
that I Love as much as the D112 if not more for some applications
I now have been using the ATM 25 for the floor tom and the
Audio technica AE 3000's for my toms ( very good sound)
about compression. you really do need a stable drummer that dont pound out root notes louder then the rest of the song, Like after a roll the first hit of the kick coming back to the main beat,
a lot of drummers will hit that thump real hard. If you have such a drummer you will more then likely have to ad some comp on the kick and snare, if set right the average person would never know and a lot of people who say they could tell, many would be lieing.
excuse the spelling ( Good Recording)
 
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