i got and idea (drum micing)

  • Thread starter Thread starter darnold
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darnold

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what if i mic'd overheads with 3 mics. the reason. i think the overhead mics are very important. and i want to use my AT4033 as an overhead. the problem is i only have 1 AT4033. so would it be worth it to use the AT4033 in the middle, and do small condensor AT mics stereo left and right?? i was thinkin i would have problems with phasing but that actually could give it a really thick sound. i dunno. what does everyone think??

darnold
 
Don't look at me... it's your idea! YOU try it and tell us if you liked it or not! :p

Isaiah
 
Maybe do the 2 overhead and the 1 out in front or behind the kit......yes, the more mics you have, the more phase issues you have to deal with but hey, nobody said micing drums was easy.....
 
Aside from phase problems.......

Most popular music styles use the kick and the snare as the foundation of the music.

If you want power-impact-control-groove and more....
you would probably be better off using the two AT as OH's and to use the 4033 in front of the kick as Gidge suggested.
For even more control ( but not always better sound..depends a lot on your room...) use a single OH and one on kick and one on snare. This will probably give you also the most punchy sound but you lose stereo image as those are mostly positioned in the center.
It's a trade off and your choice....
 
I assumed you were using other mics in addition to the overheads?......?????.....
 
well im gonna try a few things out

well im gonna have a drummer come into the studio soon so i can try a few things out. i am planning on buying another At4033 after i get a pair of good monitor speakers. then i think i will get a pair of the Studio Projects C1. i havnt had many problems with phasing before in the studio. i have a pretty controlled room with foam. ive got about 8 SM57s, and like 6 or 7 58s, so i could try using those for a few things in the back. ive also got another small sure condensor which i dont much because i dont have a pair. what i was thinking. was mic the kit like i normally do. kick mic in kick, 57 on snare, 57s or nady drum mics on toms (i usually dont use the nady mics unless its a live show). and the AT small cond on stereo overhead. now that leaves me with 1 input left on into my comp. but i think i might try sub grouping the toms into one (stereo). which will leave me with 2 inputs left (i think). with these i could put the AT4033 infront of the kit. then i will put my sure small cond over the hi hat positioned towards the snare to capture a little more punch.

i guess i will have to try some stuff out when i get home from my vacation and when i get the drummer in the studio. if you guys have any more ideas for me to try let me know and i will let you guys know how everything works out.

later,
darnold
 
Call me a purist, but I think when you mic a kit, less is more....kick, snare, stereo overheads....if anything else, a single or stereo mic out front for ambience/room sound......
 
try one of the condensors with the bass drum,it should sound ace. i use an AKG D112 with a U87 and the sound is fucking excellent.i sometimes compress the hell out of the u87 for some interesting sounds.

try the condensor, i dont think you're gonna benefit much from three overheads if you're recording the drums correctly. but try and see, who knows!
 
Three overheads kinda sounds nutty. But hey, it's your mix!!

The guy who said less is more is exactly right!! You may not even know if you're having phase problems. Try to utilize to 3 times the distance to the source rule. If you don't know about it, it goes a little something like this:

Direct mic a source with one mic. The next closest mic must be at least three times the distance of the first mic to the source. This also applies to reflective surfaces too. Did I explain it OK?

If you mic a tom 6 inches from the head, the next closest mic cannot be within 18 inches of that tom and so on and so on. So break out the tape measure!! Watch out because rear reflective surfaces makes the math trickier.

Or, you could just say screw it and do what you want anyway!
 
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