Huh? Reverse phase on ALL mics?

[mrface2112]

Let's all keep in mind that what we're really talking about is a guy that beats on a lot of shit with wooden sticks.

truer words have never been spoken. this may have to be my new sig....

do the drums sound good? does it really matter what the polarity is as long as the drums sound good? and does it matter if the drums sound good if the rest of the song (or the vocal) sucks?


cheers,
wade

 

[PhiloBeddoe]

I've had a similar experience to Farview where I've taken all the drum tracks including rooms and overheads and meticulously lined them up with each other in the same polarity and it ended up sounding thin and bright. So, I don't bother with that anymore. Seems like a good idea in theory and there was even a Recording magazine article that advised doing just that.

Sometimes doing the opposite of what seems logical sounds the best because the comb filtering just works in a complimentary way. You really have to do these phase flips in the context of the whole kit. IOW, keep the whole kit mix up, and check for a net improvement in the overall sound when you flip phases.

 

[TexRoadkill]

I've noticed that if you mic the kit properly and really listen for problems then there is no need to align stuff in the mix. Sometimes I'll move the room mic forward in time a bit to help tighten up the ambience.

 

[RawDepth]

I've noticed that if you mic the kit properly and really listen for problems then there is no need to align stuff in the mix. Sometimes I'll move the room mic forward in time a bit to help tighten up the ambience.

Good point. I've always said that a great mix starts with great tracks. It is well worth the time it takes to adjust mics, swap out mics, try them near, try them far, try a different room, try different heads, try different muffling, and try damn near anything just to get those initial raw tracks to sound great.

Right from the start, they should sound at least close to the way you (or the artist) will want them to sound in the end. The less work you must do to those tracks, the better.

Too many people just settle for whatever sound they happen to get on the first take and then spend hours trying to change it. ...And then later wonder why the final mix didn't come out that good. Then they log on here and ask what EQ setting or compression setting will fix it all.

If you want great sound you've got to earn it, starting from the start...the room, the instruments, the mics.

RawDepth

 

[tmix]

Too many people just settle for whatever sound they happen to get on the first take and then spend hours trying to change it. ...And then later wonder why the final mix didn't come out that good. Then they log on here and ask what EQ setting or compression setting will fix it all.

If you want great sound you've got to earn it, starting from the start...the room, the instruments, the mics.

RawDepth

R,
You nailed it. This applies to all recorded tracks.
This has been a point of frustration for me over the years.
Back in the day when all I had was tape, people worked their butts off to get good performances. You ocassionally spent time punching in fixes here and there.
Now since you have the ability to mangle, move, edit, tune... WHATEVER, people are getting lazy. Not the recordist necessarily,for now he has to spend the hours in editing and mixing that should have been spent in experimenting with placement and working up performances.
It NEVER sounds as good. I can create a Frankenstein track in perfect time / tune that never sounds as good as a good performance with the right mic.

It is the expectations and work ethic of the new breed of folks being recorded. When I try to force the issue of retakes and coached performances, many think it a ploy to rack up the hours... thats when I wish they had their own good producer... but many producers now days know a little about computer based edits, and think they are doing their band a favor by telling you...good enough! fix it later.
You know... just because you CAN do something does not mean you always WANT to. I have the ability to take out my own appendix but I dont want too...

Well enough ranting...

Tom