Rock Drums OH: X-Y or Spaced Pair? Kit also close mic'd.

[takk]

I have not had the chance to record a live drummer, but will soon.

 

[Stefan Elmblad]

I prefer going x/y. I adjust the width, intimacy and tom vs cymbal ratio of the kit with panning and height of x/y mic placement.

I've gotten great results from spaced pairs too, it's just isn't my prefered choice.

 

[recordingpro]

Totally depends on the room. Bigger rooms make bigger drums

 

[RezN8]

Takk - you might be better off experimenting with both --IMHO the answer depends on some important factors- the room, the type/size/pattern of the mics, how many other mics will be used, type of music, who the drummer is etc.


For my situation (low headroom using SDCs in cardioid pattern), I find that the x/y works best for me when it will be blended with close mics on all the toms, snare, kick, ambient mics etc.

If I just want to use a 3-mic set up (two SDCs OHs and a dynamic on the kick drum), I'll use an ORTF set up.

-Rez

 

[scrubs]

This one.

Here's a video.


I use XY sometimes, too, but the "recorderman method" sounds pretty great.

 

[Robert D]

This one.

Here's a video.


I use XY sometimes, too, but the "recorderman method" sounds pretty great.

Hey, that's pretty cool! I still like x/y for OHs on a close miced kit, but that's a great method for the minimalistic approach.

 

[rory]

I normally use omni mics as overheads and a pretty large room. SO... I would go for the spaced pair. Even when I use cardiods I normally do the spaced pair because of my room size and the spread I can get.

 

[earldrum]

X/y

HI:

I find for today's rock music where the drums are panned in the center, x/y coincident mic'ing works best especially in my recording room. It also eliminates phase issues that improper spaced mic'ing can cause.

 

[Robert D]

I normally use omni mics as overheads and a pretty large room. SO... I would go for the spaced pair. Even when I use cardiods I normally do the spaced pair because of my room size and the spread I can get.

In a big room, with a sufficient mic locker, try using both SDC overheads, and a pair of LDC room mics. It's great to be able to blend then to taste during the mix.

 

[rory]

In a big room, with a sufficient mic locker, try using both SDC overheads, and a pair of LDC room mics. It's great to be able to blend then to taste during the mix.

I generally don't consider room mics as overheads, but usually have one LDC about 10-20' in front of the kit and a few sm91s scattered around as well.

 

[LeeRosario]

both


I never really understood the "one or the other" thing. Techniques exsist to apply in different situations.

 

[chestwick91]

Totally depends on the room. Bigger rooms make bigger drums

What this guy said

 

[ofajen]

Actually, on tape I've most often recorded with just a single omni mike overhead and then one in front of the kick. Now I have abundant tracks with my DAW, so I use a spaced pair of omni mikes overhead.

Cheers,

Otto

 

[nuemes]

For my situation (low headroom using SDCs in cardioid pattern), I find that the x/y works best for me when it will be blended with close mics on all the toms, snare, kick, ambient mics etc.

Ditto for me. X/Y won't give you as much stereo spread as a spaced pair but it picks up the kit in a more natural way. Also no phase issues.

 

[giraffe]

i'm all spaced pair lately, but it has more to do with the fact that my favorite overhead mics happen to be omnis then preference.


both work fine, trade as needed.

 

[isfahani]

I'm with the 'Glyn Johns' approach.

 

[Ironklad Audio]

i usually like to go with a spaced pair, and make sure that a)both mics are the same height from the floor, and b)both mics are equidistant from the center of the snare