Save Thuddy Bass Drum With EQ?

[Robertt8]

is there anyway to save a bass drum that has more of just a thud? I've screwed with some EQ, but it doesn't seem to do a whole hell of a lot. It's kind of a dead sound...EQ? Maybe some Effects? It sounds fat low and loud...but not like a bass drum should.

By the way, this was my first attempt to "really" record drums. I've got overheads with a (it's all i've got now) SM58 in front of the bass drum.

 

[grinder]

Might try some compression and that 58 isn't helping matters.

 

[VTgreen81]

drum replacement software. Not sure what free plugs might be available.

 

[Robertt8]

yeah...i'll try the compression...thanks

is EQing it a pointless task?

I've also got a drum machine...maybe I could try and replace the bass hits with drum machine bass?

 

[Farview]

try a compressor with a gate. The alesis 3630 is great for this. Set it so the gate is pretty tight, 2.5/1 ratio, attack at 12:00, release as fast as possible. Add as much 3k-6k as you can.
The gate on the 3630 makes a click when it opens, thats sucks normally but wil give your kick the attack that it needs and by having a slow attack the compressor will let that through and clamp down on the boom.
Just about any cheap comp/gate will work for this.

 

[Robertt8]

Hey cool thanks! that sounds like an interesting trick.

Also, I've got some overheads that caught some bass...it sounds kinda crappy through there too...I'm starting to think (without noticing it) that his bass drum just sounds like ass. He's a great player, but it actually is fairly close to what it sounded like...I'm just trying to save it. I think it actually sounds better if I just go with the overheads and not use the only other mic pointed at the bass...the bass is lighter, but I'm not hyping the worst sound...anyway. thanks!

 

[jonhall5446]

You should definately eq. The bass drum should hold the lowest freqs. To me, Eq is never pointless, but I'm no veteran

 

[Robertt8]

any eqing suggestions? i can try and get a sound byte later...