Ribbon Mic (What to do with it) + others

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dosesdoyle

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Hey Guys,

I have a FatHead II Ribbon mic. I am going to be tracking drums for a demo. I'm currently using shure pg56 on the bass drum, sm57 on the snare, ksm27 as an overhead. What should I do with this ribbon mic? Any ideas?

-Mike
 
Take a close look at the frequency response charts of those mics.

The PG56 is only efficient down to about 200 Hz and it has some hype from about 2000 to 8000 Hz. I feel this would be much better suited on the snare drum. On my own snare drum tracks I usually push that upper frequency range to give the drum more life and crack anyway.

Next the KSM27 has gorgeous rich lows down to 20 Hz with a slight hump at about 50 Hz. OMG, what more could you ask from a kick drum mic? Stuff that sucker inside at about 6 or 8" from the batter head. But tilt it slightly off axis so the sound pressure doesn't destroy it.

Put the SM57 on the high hat and roll off all lows and mids. Now you can bring the HH's up or down at key places in the music.

Use the ribbon for overhead because it will pick up some rich lows from the toms and the cymbals won't sound too harsh. Ribbon mics sound far more natural and are easier to EQ than other types. Most ribbons are "side-address" and don't like phantom power or wind. Carry them across the room slowly.

There you go,
Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
Hey thanks for the reply. I actually meant that I'm using a PG52 which is a bass drum mic. I never thought of using the KSM as a bass drum mic because it sounds so great as an over head. I will definitely give it a try though. Not sure how the PG52 will work as a snare mic but we'll see.
 
Oh, I could have sworn you said a pg56. Sorry, my bad.

Well then, that pg52 is a whole different animal. In that case either mic will work just fine in the kick. Maybe switch them up on different songs and then decide.

You are kind of limited with only three or four mics. Especially when they are mismatched like that.

I don't think very highly of shure sm57's or 58's anymore. I only ever use mine when I am running out of mics. There are too many other cheap mics now-a-days that sound far better. Especially the neodymium designs. They blow the doors off of those antiques.

But anyway, I suppose you could try the ribbon on snare and see how it behaves. If it sounds good, roll with it.

Good luck with your session.
 
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