micing an isolated cymbal

  • Thread starter Thread starter ilikejethrotull
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ilikejethrotull

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hi. im attempting to record a zildjian k custom dark crash, broken (split on one side 8-10 inches) with another crack forming from that. its called for and still sounds neat, and the cracks arent rattling together or anything.

literally, im only recording about sixteen taps, there are otherwise no drums. also recording the thing in my bedroom. cant seem to find a satisfactory consensus on how to approach this. ive been trying it with two condensers each placed a couple feet away. im limited to two channels and one track, but from what i gather on this forum i ought to be doing it in mono anyway. so essentially the question is which mic(s) and how to position the thing(s). im essentially limited to a shure axs4, a shure sm57, and an old rode that i believe is the nta1. im looking for a fairly prominent, relatively unique sound (if not ambient) and thus far close micing is way too much (almost all) stick. i have the axs4 positioned around roughly 1 o clock pointed down a bit, facing the center, and i have the rode a little further back just straight, around 9:30. this is the best sound ive achieved so far. it seems to sound fine, but id love and appreciate more educated input.

thanks in advance.
 
I would mic it overhead with one condenser mic, just like a drum kit overhead, I have done very similar recordings to this where we used a drum machine loop for the kit (dance music) but added real cymbals.

Alan.
 
thanks much alan, that seems to be where im headed. saw a picture of the same cymbal being miced, although with a drumset, and really close for an overhead, but this seems to be the best approach. thanks again.
 
Whenever I record cymbals, I just point an LDC at it from 2-3 meters away. Or if its part of a drum setup already, and you have OD mics set up, may as well use the overheads.
 
I cant believe with a crack that big the cymbal could sound close to good, unless the sound it makes is the effect your looking for. I can tell when my cymbals crack and want to puke every time it happens.

If your not getting the sound you want by just sticking an OH above it here and there, trust me , its because of the cymbal.
 
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