OH Mics

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remo_marbleblue

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Currently I'm using a pair of NT3 overheads and cutting mid and low end using the eq on my board. My theory was to let them pick up the cymbals and let the close mics get the drums. My sound is all attack and cymbals, so it's not very good. Does it make sense to level out the eq's for the overheads and let them pick up the whole kit, and use the close mics for attack and less tone?

thx,
 
The way I approach it is like this. The overheads capture the entire kit as much as I possibly can. The tight mics I use to push up under the overheads to "fill in" what ever feels weak. Once upon I time I did it just the opposite where I just wanted the cymbals and nothing else in the overheads and the tight mics were the meat of the drum sound. I just don't care for that sound anymore.
 
It's a B-I-I-I-I-G misconception that the overheads are for cymbals. They are to balance the sound of the kit and provide a good stereo image. They should be totaly flat EQ-wise if they are good mics. Cymbals produce mid-tones too. The shimmering highs are a natural part of the cymbal and don't need augmentation/enhancement.

Also the overheads pick up the attack and the close mics fatten the sound.
 
PhilGood said:
Also the overheads pick up the attack and the close mics fatten the sound.
Click to expand...

How do the close mics flatten the sound? I compress my snare mic at 4:1 and it's all attack.

I have a really small room, so I'm cautious using the overheads. :(

Also, I'm sure they will pick up a ton of cymbals. I'll try to compress the OH's and see how that works. I have a china high up too. It's LOUD lol.

Maybe I should put some mp3's up for you guys to listen to so you can help me out. Is there a way to post these up?
 
remo_marbleblue said:
How do the close mics flatten the sound? I compress my snare mic at 4:1 and it's all attack.

I have a really small room, so I'm cautious using the overheads. :(

Also, I'm sure they will pick up a ton of cymbals. I'll try to compress the OH's and see how that works. I have a china high up too. It's LOUD lol.

Maybe I should put some mp3's up for you guys to listen to so you can help me out. Is there a way to post these up?
Click to expand...

No, no! Close mics FATTEN the sound. (I may have typo'd) They add the punch. Since dynamics produce more controlled low end, thay add the warmth. 4:1 seems a little extreme. That might be why it's all attack. You could also slow the attack on the compressor. That subdues the attack and brings up the body. Also, you might have too much EQ on the close mics. I get a very good sound with hardly any EQ. Position of the mics is crucial. Don't get 'em too close and experiment with placement.

If the overheads are good mics, they should need no EQ! If you're having level problems then postion could be the cause. Try them in an X/Y position just over your head. Get 'em back a bit.

Or try them spread apart just over the left and right sides pointed somewhat (not all) toward the center of the kit. That'll make them focus more on the drums and the cymbals will bleed in. If you have a really loud cymbal like a china you can direct it away from that cymbal somewhat.

Compression on overheads can help too, just don't overdo it.
 
My bad, you did say fatten. Thanks for the feedback on the ratio I use, I wasn't sure what most ppl did.

I'll probably mute all my close mics and start over with both NT3 overheads this weekend and get the best sound I can, then start adding in the snare and kick mics.

I'm using a Berhinger EuroDesk board (32 channel) which I hate. The gain controls don't effect the gain much until it's at 1/4...and by then the gain jumps and my compressors kick in hard. I need a new board big time. I saw a Yamaha that looked pretty good....
 
That's exaclty the right way to start! I've heard bad things about the Behringer Euro board, too. I've got a Ramsa that I love, but it's starting to crap out. If the Yamaha is good, let me know.
 
I'm using the e604's on my toms and I swear that my old Yamaha mixer records much better sound than this new EuroDesk. I remember the first time I plugged the e604's into the Yamaha and heard the warmth and depth of the toms...then I bought this EuroDesk POS because I wanted channels (and I was drunk and surfing MusiciansFriend.com) and the warmth is gone. Gain controls suck..no control. So I wasted $700+ on that huge board...now I have to spend another ton of $$$ to buy the right board. Ugh!
 
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