recording a set for a jazz/exp. trio

[caffienatidjazz]

i need to get a good tight drum sound... something like the sound from television's album "marquee moon" or any classic jazz album -- real tight snare, a good ride sound and heavy toms

the only equipment i have to record drums:

2 oktava condensors
sennheiser md 421-ii kick mic
sm57
tascam portastudio 488 (which i want to run a line out from into my computer)

i know it's not much, but if you guys could help me out with mic placement and all that jazz, thatd be cool. oh, and mic placement in the event that i dont have an sm57 for this weekend...

 

[mrface2112]

use the oktavas as overheads, the 421 inside the kick (or outside it, if it's a double-headed kick with no hole) and put the 57 on the snare. if you can get hold of some sort of LDC for the session, i'd put it in front of the kit for a room mic, about 6ft out, about 6ft up.

classically, though, i'd wager most jazz drums are a combination of a couple well-placed room mics, with the drums being in a good room played by a good drummer with good chops. there's not a lot of that modern "punch" sound on classical jazz......or at least, not the jazz that i've listened to. it seems that the mics were placed more to capture the kit as a whole as it is in the room, rather than close-miking all of the drums. you get a lot more "open" sound with just a couple room mics.....


without the 57, then this is what i'd do--put the oktava's up in XY or ORTF in front of the kit, about 6ft high, about 6ft in front of the kit--these will be your room mics. stick the 421 in/on the kick and blend to taste. actually, this might get you a more classic jazz sound in the first place, and you might want to go with it.



cheers,
wade

 

[caffienatidjazz]

XY? ORTF?

(sorry, i dont know what these terms refer to...)