First drum recordings

  • Thread starter Thread starter stethedrumgeek
  • Start date Start date
I'm interested to see how this is going to turn out. Did you put new heads and beaters on? Can you post your new recording when you make it?
 
Hi Jeff.

So far I've put a new Evans Genera HD dry, as farview recommended and I like it, took a bit of dampening though as there was an annoying ring, has a much nicer feel than my old head though.
I've ordered a Remo Powerstroke bass drum head, which I'll get on the 4th, so I'll be recording on the 4th. Probably just do a complete drum track and post an excerpt on the 4th or 5th. As for cymbals, I cant do much about the cracked 18 incher, it sounds pretty rough, but I'm going to get some more felts and wingnuts, as both crashes are loose, maybe that would improve the sound.
As for the beaters, I completely forgot! I'll see if I can get them on order for the 4th too.
I have to wait so bloody long because Arbiter (the distributor for the UK) are on holiday... nice! 30 quid for the Powerstroke- that's like 60 dollars in US!! We get ripped over here for everything musical.
 
First thing: Don Cab's Damon Che hits really f***ing hard, and that's a big part of his sound. Judging by the sound of the tracks, you're missing that part a bit. You and your tracks sound good, but a bit teeny...the first one (with the snare ringing) sounds better than the new one, and is more likely to stick out in your mix better. If you want big, airy drums, you have to take them out into the big air, sir! Get them out of your bedroom and set up in a bigger space. Don't be afraid to unmuffle your toms and let them ring too, a la Bonham. Another trick: try using mics in "unrecommended" applications, like: a Shure 57 or a Sennheiser 421 (best overall mic EVER) as a snare overhead. I've found the most success using a less is more approach to drum miking. Use fewer mics and PUMP 'em. This is what will give you a FAT sound - blowing your front end a bit in the mix. Here's an exciting hot kit cocktail a la Flaming Lips OD. 1.) Guitar or bass cabinet (monitor, whatever) in front of kick drum with speaker(s) facing sound source - plug cabinet directly into a mic input. This turns the speakers into a mic and gives you a BOOOOOMY bass drum sound. This, actually, is a George Martin trick. 2.) Radio Shack or Crown PZM mic on wall or door somewhere in the space. 3.) SM57 or Sennheiser 421 directly over the kit - not angled, but pointing straight down in a line between the kick and snare. 4.) (optional) AKG 4112 inside kick?

Basically, the logic here is to minimize your options and pump up the juice on the few mics you're using. After all, you're not doing session work for Celine Dion, you're playing hard. So, back the mics up and turn them up a bit. Try the speaker cab thing, too! I swear, it sounds really cool blended in with another kick signal. Also, save your best mic for the signal you want to sound the best, This sounds like a ridiculous statement of the obvious, BUT...lots of folks will stick their most expensive mic inside the kick, and miss out on a lot of unexplored options (use that rolloff switch and TWEAK, brother!!)

Good luck and Cheers :D
 
Thanks for the post mr. monkey. That was some really cool advice. Regarding Damon Che hitting hard, yeah I can believe that! I'd better get back on that old pull up bar I have idle in my doorway. I'm itching to try pretty much everything you've typed there, esp the speaker/bass drum thing. First off I think I'll have to find a decent space, which'll probably be a matter of hand in pocket. I havent had a chance to record or experiment anything for almost a week, the electric has been off everywhere round here because of flooding and I've been deprived of pretty much all decent music (apart from the turd on local radio) for quite a while now, although it's not quite up to the consequences of some other floods in the world. As for the BD head... no luck whatsoever!

Cheers Monkey- that was really useful- tweak I will!
 
I made some quick tests with SM57 as overhead and AKG on the bass drum as suggested by mr.monkey, I think it came out alright... I made two mp3's - one with compression on the overhead and one without. I know the bass drum sounds pretty crappy... but I think it's a lot to do with the head that came with the BD and I cant get hold of another one til later this week. The sm57 was directly over the snare pointed down. The BD mic was about 5 inches from the batter head pointed at the beaters. I'd be grateful for any comments or opinions on whether the sound is an improvement.




same test with compression

I think its easier to right click and save as by just visiting the site http://racecaracecar.tripod.com it's the two mp3's at the bottom

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