Drums don't sound clean

  • Thread starter Thread starter ishou
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ishou

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I'm micing my drums with three mics (2 sm57s, akg c1000s), but i can't get the set to sound like I want to. It always sounds muddy, and I can't get it to sound clean, and I also can't get the snare to sound like I want. Here's a sound bit: http://www.dranger.com/hereinyourbedroom.mp3.
I've tried moving the mic around, but the snare still sounds muddy, or thin, or whatever. Any advice? I'm stumped and poor.
 
firstly you must add top end to all your drum mikes - around 7khz for snares and 10khz for o'heads. Try adding 3khz to your kick and also remove around 300hz.
cheers
 
you don't mention how the mics are placed. give a little more insight into your mic placement.

i'll suggest some EQ'ing though:

first, lets tackle the muddiness. try cutting 200-400 by 2-6db. if you have a parametric EQ set the Q to 2 and sweep it. listen for incresed clarity, but it's probably not going to be earth shattering. then widen the Q, .8 to .6 and sweep this trying to find the sound you want. if you can't even get close, it may be your snare or the room is playing a significant role. if your snare sounds great in the room, but really weak mic'd, then your room modal response may need consideration.

another way is to boost about 10db with a narrow Q, maybe 4, and note the most offending frequencies. then cut there. you'll probably want to broaden the Q. but if the offending frequencies end up much less than 200hz, be careful.

now for lows and highs:

now boost around 90-100hz by 2-3db with Q about 1.5 and again around 3kZ.

if after this you still can't get a satisfactory sound, take a sample in another room, a bigger room, or outside. if this doesn't help, it may be your snare.

good luck,
-kp-
 
i have a mic on the snare, another one in the kick, and an OH 3 feet away from the set, about head height.
 
Do you have gates?, I use them on the kick, snare and toms most of the time. Toms ringing away in resonance with the kick/snare etc. can add to some muddyness. Like others have said, EQ .
 
having two overheads should open the sound up. you may want to consider two overheads instead of one. gate the snare if you can, this should allow the overhead(s) to supply the ambience.

with only three mic's and one of them an overhead, you'll not be able to get a spacious stereo sound which i think is what you want. with only one overhead, the kit will sound mono and this lacks in clarity.

try two overheads and a kick mic and see if this helps. move the mics up a bit and play with the spacing, but start with them close together and angled out a bit. also, get a mic bar if you can.
-kp-
 
little thingy for mounting two mics on one stand - easier for setting up XY or ORTF configs.. I think that's what sonixx refers to, if not shoot me!
 
john,

well, i call it a mic bar but the product name for the one i have is 'Twin Mic Mount' and it's made by Atlas. The part number is TM1. cost is about $18. well worth the cost.

the Twin Mic Mount screws onto a mic boom stand and it allows two mics to be mounted about 6 inches apart on a single boom. it's great for overheads.

-kp-
 
Some poor man suggestions.

First make sure the kit sounds good in the room - did you tune the kit?
Are you heads in good shape?. It should'nt be to expensive for new heads.
Don't run for the EQ if they are not tuned well. If you have no idea how to tune them then ask a good drummer or buy a book on how to.
Don't underestimate this factor !!.

Emeric suggested a solid idea to use Gates but if you don't have or can not afford, then try to dampen the kit by using Duct tape or weather strip.
This will take some of the ringing away
If you are not familiar with this technique then write back and I'll do my best to give you a grapic explnation. But it would be better to work it out with a drummer so you can hear the difference.

I could'nt download now you sound bit now but I'll try later.

As for EQ -since I didnt hear I cant give to much EQ advise but if muddy is the problem the other then what John suggested, I would roll off all lows below 100Hz on the snare and 150Hz on the overhead.

One more poor man suggestion - try different sticks with different heads. Do you use the wood heads or plastic? You will get a slight brighter sound using plastic.
Good Luck
 
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