ECM 8000 and EQ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter crawdad
  • Start date Start date
crawdad

crawdad

Dammit, Jim, Shut Up!
I've just bought a pair of these things and have been doing a bit of experimentation, but I have not had the opportunity to use them as drum overheads yet. Here is my question. When used as overheads for drums, do you folks go for the un eq'd sound of the mics, or do you usually tweak them some? I know that ideally, the less EQ the better when it comes to microphones. I just wonder what the real world experience has dictated when using the ECM 8000s.

I like these mics, but I am still learning what they are about. I have never worked with omnis before. I did an experiment with the pair today, using one on acoustic guitar and one on a vocal. OK on vocal but really nice on the acoustic. I'd love to record a bluegrass or any all acoustic group with a bunch of these. They seem warm yet detailed--no hyped highs.

Anyway, I'd sure like to hear how others are using these and if you are using much EQ or just digging the flat response of the mics.
 
Hey crawdad
Because they are so flat in freq response,I'm not surprised the use on vox didn't bowl you over.Most mics that are prized for vocals are supposed to improve particular vocal deficiencies and are kinda specialized.Whereas this mic is so incredibly flat that it is well suited for those instances that you want a really accurate reproduction of the instrument instead,like your acoustic guitar etc.
When using the ecm8000s as drum overheads I don't EQ them,but I do EQ the hell out of the kick and snare to add whatever seems to be missing for a punchy "in your face" drum sound.
Its kind of like painting a picture.Sometimes you want an accurate depiction of reality and sometimes you want to create an impression that could not possibly exist in the "real" world.
 
Not EQ, per se, but I do High Pass them to varying degrees depending on how I'm micing (or not) the rest of the kit. Generally at least 50Hz. YMMV.
-kent
 
Thanks for the replies. These things are such a different concept from the cardiod pattern mics I have always used, I am still trying to play with placement and to be able to envision what the result will be. I do seem to like them the most fairly close to the source, because they can pick up so much room reflection. They are pretty accurate. I'm still getting used to that--I am so used to my other mics imprinting their EQ on the source. I guess with anything, I should just use my ears and EQ to taste.

I'd like to try a live recording with just a pair of these and see what happens. Have you ever tried that? If so, what were your results?
 
I just used one as a room mic for a recording of a guitar amp. It sounded awesome. I have some very nice accoustics going on in my main living space, and the amplifier is a rich-sounding Sovtek.

Miced the Sovtek up close with a 57, with an ecm back about 7 feet (a sweet spot) to get some of the room accoustics. Pretty stellar results. Very nice natural room verb. I certainly wouldn't think of using one in a room I don't like as much. Man, that's a sweet-sounding amp.
 
Chess, man I wish I had a great sounding room! I will try yuour technique and see what I get, though. Thanks!
 
Occasionally those Sovtek heads can sound fan-testical, I;ve heard some great Alice in Chains tones out of a few. I used to be able to get the Sovtek amps for major cheap, like $189 for the highest in thier line (mig 100?). I got tubes for like 1/4 the cost, too. Hence my name here...
 
Those are some pretty jubo-sized tubes, aren't they? And it doesn't take long for them to run pretty hot. I suppose it could double as a space-heater.

Yea, I've really been liking the sound of that thing. It's got quite the signature, doesn't it?. I mean anything I record with that Sovtek is going to sound like it was played through a Sovtek. It's not exactly subtle.

So as not to get off subject, here, I guess the point is that if you have an instrument/amp whatever that you really like the sound of . . . and you also have a room that really seems to compliment it . . . then it's a good idea to pull out the ecm's.

Everyone talks about these things as drum or accoustic guitar mics . . . but it's obvious to me that their true purpose in life, or calling, is to be used as room mics. That is what they like to do, and it is what they do well. They capture the sound of the room very well . . . either in all it's richness and splendor . . . or it's crappiness. Whichever be the case.
 
I just ordered a couple of the ecm8000's. I hope they are as good as eveyone says! But, if not, what the heck. They are only 80 bucks! If they are halfway decent, that's a steal.
 
Tom Hicks said:

When using the ecm8000s as drum overheads I don't EQ them,but I do EQ the hell out of the kick and snare to add whatever seems to be missing for a punchy "in your face" drum sound.
Click to expand...

Ditto. I think it's because the 8000's pick up so much of the kick & snare that they tend to lose focus if the overheads are too far up in the mix.
I've tried to play around with eq on the ECM's, but I've gone back to leaving it and backing off the overall volume of the overheads in the mix.
 
Wait, didn't someone say that some online place had an extraordinarily good current price on the ECM 8000s?

Thanks for any help...
 
crawdad said:

I'd like to try a live recording with just a pair of these and see what happens. Have you ever tried that? If so, what were your results?
Click to expand...

I record voice only and voice over events. I used a pair of ECM8000's to record a mass wedding (part of a larger seminar on Relationships). I have a 40second mp3 If anyone is interested in hearing it.. CAUTION Religous theme..

The room seats about 1750, there were about 1500 attending I would estimate 200 couples participating in the renewing of wedding vows..they were scattered through the room. I was pleased with the mics detail.. notice the stereo imaging during the smooching.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top