recording overhead mics for drums

[wildmotox]

I would just like to know when you record using 2 overhead mics and 5 drum mics do you record the overheads in stereo and the rest in mono..thanks

 

[Seafroggys]

Every mic has to record in mono. NOw if you are asking if you pan the overheads left and right and then leave the spot mics centered, that's personal preference.

 

[JimmyS1969]

Well, you could record the overhead mics to a stereo track, but then you lose the ability to pan each mic to taste. Or reverse the pan, in case connected wrong...

Best record each to a mono track.

 

[Guitargodgt]

I always go with mono tracks and send them to a stereo group track if I want to process them like a stereo track.

But yeah that panning this (except pro tools) is what makes me do that.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Well, you could record the overhead mics to a stereo track, but then you lose the ability to pan each mic to taste. Or reverse the pan, in case connected wrong...

Best record each to a mono track.

Lots of DAWs have separate pan controls for left and right sides of a stereo channel.

 

[wildmotox]

Thanks again everyone I will keep it all Mono. There is so much to learn in recording. I hope that someday I will learn it all.

 

[RAMI]

Lots of DAWs have separate pan controls for left and right sides of a stereo channel.

That's interesting actually. I've been putting my overheads onto a stereo channel in REAPER, and never thought of trying to find out if I can control the pan on each side, mainly because I've never felt the need to. So, I just assumed that you can't. But, now that I think of it, even my TASCAM 2488 used to let me control each side's pan on a stereo track, so I'm thinking there must be a way to do it in REAPER, too. Anyone know?

 

[bouldersoundguy]

In Reaper, right-click on the pan knob and select "Dual pan" from the drop down menu.

 

[RAMI]

In Reaper, right-click on the pan knob and select "Dual pan" from the drop down menu.

HA! You're right. Thanx man.

 

[tashmoo]

I record OH in mono, but when I mix, I pan them left and right, along with other drum elements, high hats for example, so the drums sit in a space. Often I'll use headphones and monitors to judge where the pans should be.
Wont get into the mix stuff here.

 

[Seafroggys]

Headphones are pretty terrible for figuring out stereo field, unless you are doing precise stuff like "oh the snare is at 2 o'clock in the OH's, so I'll pan the snare close mic to 2:00". Of course, you can do that on speakers too.