problems with drum decibals - MC012's and SM81's

[ruebarb]

Well, I finally got the drummer and the Mics together, and we're having fun. I'm having one tiny bit of a problem though. I'm using Oktava MC012's on the overheads, (two of them) - a Shure SM81 on the high hat, and an SM57 for the snare. (Bass drum is an akg, but that's irrelevant) -

Problem is, on my overheads and high hat, I'm getting snare that actually buzzs/peaks the mic. At first I thought I had bad monitors, but I'm definately hearing it on the headphones too. I've got the -10db pads on the MC-012's, but it's obvious listening to the overhead tracks that the breakup I'm hearing is on the bleeded snare from those two mics. The SM81 does it sometimes too, but I forgot to crank that mic down to -10, and I'm going to move it further away from the snare. No problems with the actual Snare drum and it's Shure SM57, but then that's like the Sherman Tank of microphones. As I see it, I have a few choices -

1. I'm using Mackie 8-BUS preamps - these are good, but no pad built into them. I can bring the mic/line sensitivy inputs WAY down, (I kind of had to have them hot before) - and see if that helps, or I can look at an outboard preamp with built in Mic pads.

2. Replace everything with SM57's since they aren't peaking out. (hmmm. not a bad idea - but no point )

3. Find a way to tone down the snare drum. In fairness, he really lays into it on that song.

I haven't used a decibal meter yet, but I don't think I'm exceeding the SPL of these mics - (130db) - anyone work with this kind of a situation and come up with a solution? I've never heard of anyone having problems on this board with their MC012's and peaking problems from the drum kit, so I'm curious.

RB

 

[ffmada]

Check and see if the overload lights on the mackie pre's are lighting up on the snare hits. That would provide the buzz in the overheads and hihat mic. I do not think that the oktava's should peak out which leaves only the pre's. Try turing the gain down and pushing the fader up a little on the offending channels.

If that is not the case your drummer must be hitting that snare really f*ckin' hard, in which case you should give him headphones to monitor with and crank them way, WAY up

 

[FunKMasTer]

I had a oktava MC 012 once wich i recorded hi hats and electric guitars and other acoustic stuff...
I never had distortion and i never used the pad, and i recorded some heavy brutus drummers with it...
And till today i regret of selling it since i found it the best mic for recording distorted electric guitars yeah i now use the good'old 57...

So, unless all your mics are defective, the problem is definitly out there at your control room... try different inputs(such as dedicated pres) and routings to find the problem(with i think its not from mackie too...!!!)