Mic Usage

  • Thread starter Thread starter djhead
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djhead

djhead

Military Intelligence
In preperation for my upcoming debut into the world of recording (my band) i wanted to know how you guys thought i should use the following mics in our possession (especially for drums) I've got 8 inputs on me Firepod.

1 x SM57
1 x Shure P48 (i think) cheapy dynamic mic
3 x Behringer Cheapy Dynamic Mic
1 x Oktava MK319
2 x Cascade M37 (cheapy condensers that came with Firepod, for OH I imagine)
1 x AKG Perception 200 LDC

I guess I'd put the 57 on the snare, and the Cascades as OH's since they are a matched pair. I worry about using the condensers for any percussion, but Im really at a loss for the kick mic.

Ideas?
 
Toms 3 x Behringer Cheapy Dynamic Mic
Snare 1 x SM57
O/H 2 x Cascade M37
Kick 1 x Oktava MK319
 
A good call

I wonder though about using a condenser on the kick. Since it picks up a mouse farting a block away, would the bleed be TOO much? I understand bleed happens, but when does it become a phase issue?

And would the SPLs of putting it inside the kick be too much before damage was done to the mic?
 
Only one reply? Fine. I hate you all, and hold each one of you responsible since BS-ing in the Dragon Cave is more important than answering real questions. :D
 
djhead said:
Only one reply? Fine. I hate you all, and hold each one of you responsible since BS-ing in the Dragon Cave is more important than answering real questions. :D
Click to expand...

You mean MS-ing....hehe....sorry...Mic joke...

Anyway, You need to try out your options yourself. I don't have experience with your cheap dynamics so I can't tell you what's going to go on what drum...you try em all on all your different sources and tell us how it works for you! That's how it should work anyway...

jacob
 
actually bleed is an issue. but!!! the good news there are two options that come to mind for me. use that bleed to your advantage for sound reinforcement as per toms and snare, room sound. or, you can gate the kick mic. this will essentially expand your dynamic range by dropping the quiet portions of the signal to even quieter, making your kick the prodominant sound reproduced on the track. but as we've all mentioned, give it a whirl and just do what your ear tells you. it's much easier than listening to all the bullshit we could spew at you, and ultimately better sometimes just to trust your ear... you can only get your own sound by doing something no one else has tried!!!

also, i recomend this to everyone who doesn't have a kick mic and need some thump. build your own mic out of a speaker (usually want to go with something between 6-10") you can find info on this in the tricks and ideas thread. good luck bro, and i hope we've helped!!!

Jacob
 
Or build a tunnel for the kick with some couch cushions, and put the 319 at the end, drape the whole thing with some heavy blankets. Will help bleed and let the LF waves build a bit. You can use on of the cheap dynamics on the beater side if you need to put some attack on the kick as well.

Daav
 
Ooh, if thats anything like a Couch Fort, I am all about it!
 
haha, well... in my opinion you can EASILY beat a 57 on snare!!! i prefer a SDC. i use my MXL 991. but, if that's what you like that's good i guess because they are pretty cheap and common. EVERYONE uses them on snare!!! well, just kidding... but ALMOST EVERYONE and their dog. it's a fact of life. women have periods, and engineers (not to say that women can't be engineers in the least) have sm57s. and both are a pain in the ass while under the influence of either!!! haha!!!

Jacob
 
Im going to post pics of this session, and my Couch fort.
 
djhead said:
Only one reply? Fine. I hate you all, and hold each one of you responsible since BS-ing in the Dragon Cave is more important than answering real questions. :D
Click to expand...
Well, the only obvious choice from that is the SM57 on the snare. Consider though that just because you have eight inputs does not mean that you have to be using them all.

Every extra mic is an extra potential bleed issue and an extra potential comb filtering issue. Particularly for a beginner. So since you are just starting start with a four mic setup: 57 on the snare, the pair of small condensers as overheads and the LDC in the tunnel on the bass. Then run some test tracks and decide what isnt sounding well and consider adding additional mics tactically, perhaps even on a song by song basis.
 
timboZ is right on. The 319 in a tunnel of blankets couch cushions away from the kick enough so it doesn't distort. Then since you have it and a channel to spare put the P48 in the kick aimed at where the beater hits the head, or on the beater side of the kick to pick up a little of the click.
 
you could also try this out,

use a large condenser to mic the underside of the snare. Use a figure eight if possible and turn it so it picks up the underside of the snare and so the other side picks up the beater on the bass drum. I picked this technique up recently and it really helps the snare and bass drum sound. Watch out for phase issues. Just another thing to try out
 
I wouldn;t bother with the behris on toms... they'll probably do more harm than good when you try and sit things in the mix. If you've got a four piece kit, I'd consider the 2 matching condesors on the toms and the AKG as a central overhead. You might consider using the 57 and a speaker on the bd and the 319 on the snare.
 
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