High and Low mic...possible phase problem- please explain?

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bloozguy

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I recorded my friend playing some percussion on congas, toomba, and djembe a couple weeks ago, adding this to tracks I have on a cd project of 15 songs.

I have bundled software of Aardvark Direct Pro with Cakewalk Audio 9.0...my system is a newer multi-media computer with 256 RAM..a gig of hertz, etc; Pentium III

I recorded two tracks at a time placing one Shure 57 above the drum angled down...and another nearer the floor to pick up the lower end, all hoping to get a fuller sound. For the most part the sound was thinner and not all that satisfying.

Someone was explaining to me that the mics could have been reversed phase with each other and cancelling the signal out. I don't really understand this much and wonder if someone could explain. Also, if anyone has experience with the software I'm using....how would I go about correcting this problem so the mics are in sync with each other??? Thanks....

bloozguy
 
Generally speaking, when you mic any drum from the top and bottom you should flip the polarity on one of the mics. The signals each mic picks up are going to be approx 180 degrees out of phase - changing the polarity puts them back in phase. You should follow this practice when micing snare drums (flip the bottom mic) and I flip the polarity on my bass drum signal too (all the other mics in the kit are picking it up from the other side). There is a freeware plugin that will flip the waveform for you (I can't remember the name) or you can make some special cables that switch the leads. If you do a search you can probably find some details on this site.
 
thanks for the tip...and info, I'll continue then learning about this

bloozguy
 
hey, gnarled, great tip on the kick drum thing. i never thought of it. i'll try that.

adriano
 
If using a DAW just INVERT the waveform afterwards if you think it's out of phase.
 
no, tex, if you INVERT the waveform, it will play backwards. at least in cakewalk. what forum is this again? :)

adriano
 
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