Help w/ drum mics

[paisteguy]

Arrrrrgh. So frustrating....

I'm using ATM35 clip on mics on my toms (ATM35) and an AE2500 on the kick (AE2500). I'm running them thru a Behringer mixer (Mixer). **Regardless of your personal opinion of the equipment, this is what I have to work with.**

All four of the ATM35s and the AE2500 are giving off this peculiar feedback. After the drum is struck, there is a lingering electronic "roar / rumble". Sounds kind of like rolling thunder, if that makes any sense. The roar will linger for almost 10 seconds or so unless I kill off the channel fader.

The individual channel faders are between 50-75% when this is happening.

What is further aggrivating me is that I can't bring the main mix fader more than an eyelash from the off position before the feedback roar goes bonkers.

I've tried the roll-offs on the mics and the "low-cut" button on the mixer to try to kill some of this and I've had no luck.

Since it's all the mics are doing this, I figure it must be me. Can anyone offer some advice?

 

[Drummerbones]

I don't know about the mic you're using for kick, but clip on mics can be tricky. I did a project a while back using clip on mics. The resonance from the drums was causing a rumble in the mics since they're clipped right there on the drum and taking the full brunt of the vibration. In my case, the situation was solved by micing the kit with boom stands, the mics not attached to the drums. This doesn't really sound like what you're describing though. Regardless of where your faders are, where's your gain/trim at? Are you running too hot of a signal on each channel? This could explain why you can't raise your master fader. Remember that the trim knob controls how hot of a signal you've got coming in, while the fader controls what's going out, or to your busses. Try backing off your gain and give it another whirl.

 

[Tim Brown]

Well, try this:
#1. Whenever I've seen any pro acts using the 35's on the toms - they clip them to the tension rods, and not to the rim....or if the drumsd are mounted with RIMS mounts, clip them to those.

#2. I think Drummerbones is right on the money. Turn your gain all the way down, set the fader at 0, then while the drummer is hitting on the toms raise the gain to the point that you need them. You may also have to roll off a little of the low end....normally the High-pass filter works quite well for this.

#3. Since the High-pass didn't work, I would say that it sounds like your toms resonant heads may be too loose.....and the mic might be picking it up, but you aren't hearing it until it's coming through the mic's.



Tim

 

[wimat]

Is this live or recording? For recording, try what's listed above. If it's live, move the speakers away from the mics. Or get a gate.