Studio Projects B1 in the kick is clipping

  • Thread starter Thread starter zbert
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zbert

zbert

In the swamps of Jersey
OK. I wrote Alan in another thread about making a Steven Paul B1 kick drum mic. Alan said just put the screen on the B1 and put it in the drum. Not as easy as I had thought.
I am using a Yamaha Recording custom kit in my little studio. The kick is Birch wood. There is an Aquarian Super kick 1 head. That's a single ply head with a built in mufferler ring. There is nothing else in the drum. The B1 is plugged into an Alesis Studio 24 board. The problem is no matter the setting on the channel the mic peaks. I have put the trim all the way down. I've tried rolling the bass eq all the way off. Still peaks the channel. I usually don't track with any compression. I was using an AT pro 25. With that mic you just turn it up and set the eq. No problem but not the best sounding mic. What I can hear through the cans is the B1 sounds great. I just can't get rid of the clipping. Any suggestions would be helpful. You guys always have been. ( a little kissing up to the experts never hurt)
 
inexpert 2 cents

If you prefer not to use compression or a limiter on the kick, maybe you could try a pad? It's a box that lowers the dB of your signal from the mic on the way to the board. That or a compressor/limiter on the kick while tracking should help.
 
How far in the kick are you putting it? I'd suggest moving the mic before you start rolling off lows, and cutting with EQ and such
 
How far in the kick are you putting it?

I started with the usual 5 inches from the head and worked my way till I was out of the drum. Once I backed completly out of the kick the peaking started to go away but so did the sound quality.
 
Have you tried putting a pop filter in front of it? That may cut down on some of the huge amounts of air hitting it.
 
Pop screen in front and the wind sock you get on the mic. This is why I'm a little frustrated. I'm going to work with it in about 3 hours from now so any ideas I get I can try later.
 
zbert said:
How far in the kick are you putting it?

I started with the usual 5 inches from the head and worked my way till I was out of the drum. Once I backed completly out of the kick the peaking started to go away but so did the sound quality.
Click to expand...

I'm not too familliar with engineers using a LD mic inside the kick. They are usually used outside of the drum because they just can't handle the high sound pressure.

That's what dynamic mics are best at and they are usually the first choice for micing the beater.

Search for some drum micing threads and Harvey explains how you can build a tunnel with mic stands and packing blankets in front of the kick. Put the mic at the end of the tunnel. This might help give you a tighter punch while still being able to back off the mic a few feet.
 
zbert said:
How far in the kick are you putting it?

I started with the usual 5 inches from the head and worked my way till I was out of the drum. Once I backed completly out of the kick the peaking started to go away but so did the sound quality.
Click to expand...

If you can't trim the gain down any more, then you need a pad...maybe about 10dB. I have used the B1 on kick at about 10 inches back, but I did not use it through an Alesis board. If it sounds good through your cans, then it's a matter of gain structure between the Alesis and the mic. Try to lighten up your foot if you can. You don't have to kill the bass drum to get a good sound, so maybe a little foot control will also help the situation.

LD mics are not the first choice for a kick, but I have used the B1 with great success on kick. Keep at it, a lighter foot, a little more placement trials and you just might get that sound you want that you are hearing in the cans!!

Alan Hyatt
 
This is getting to be an epidemic around here,

PROBLEM: Engineer using wrong equipment or lack of engineering skill has trouble mic'ing drum kit.

SOLUTION DU JOUR: Tell the drummer to play softer.

I just hope you can run faster than the drummer. :rolleyes:

(Or you could just go buy a whirlwind or similar in-line pad for about $15)
 
littledog said:
This is getting to be an epidemic around here,

PROBLEM: Engineer using wrong equipment or lack of engineering skill has trouble mic'ing drum kit.

SOLUTION DU JOUR: Tell the drummer to play softer.

I just hope you can run faster than the drummer. :rolleyes:

(Or you could just go buy a whirlwind or similar in-line pad for about $15)
Click to expand...

That was great comeback. I suppose you do stand up on the weekends. :eek:

Your idea of the pad was already suggested, so read the post. Instead of telling zebert to lighten it up, I should probably tell you the same thing.

Alan Hyatt
 
As always guys thanks for the help. BTW I am the drummer ( I don't run as fast as I used to)and I do have a heavy foot. All those years of playing in loud rock bands with lousy PA's. I'm going to try the pad idea. Alan if you get to read this one I've seen it posted a number of times that the 10db pad on the B1 would be a great thing. I now agree. I wouldn't mind paying a few bucks more. I know I would be asking for trouble trying to use a B1 as a kick mic instead of say, a D112 or Beta 52. The sound in the kick is really nice espically for the price....Now, how about the pad switch.
Thanks all around
Tom
 
Tom,

Well, that is why the C1 is so special.... :D

Sorry you mixer does not have one, but Shure and some others sell an in line pad for not much money. Again, the reason I suggested a lighter foot was so you could record that night.

Sometimes it is more than just the equipment, good or bad. I have worked with countless artists that are heavy footed, or real loud players. I have had to tell many artists to tone down. A real player knows you don't have to kill your instrument or break everyones ears to make a good recording.

I don't take on anymore sessions that are nothing but four chord screamers and bangers...Thank God!!

Like I said, the B1 can be used for your kick, as I have used it several times already, but I do have pads on my pres and console. The B1 is not my first choice for kick, but for a limited locker, the B1 will do fine. Get your pad as I said, and try again....

Alan Hyatt
 
alanhyatt said:


That was great comeback. I suppose you do stand up on the weekends. :eek:

Your idea of the pad was already suggested, so read the post. Instead of telling zebert to lighten it up, I should probably tell you the same thing.

Alan Hyatt
Click to expand...

Easy there, Alan, I think littledog was just trying to make a joke about drummer temperament.
 
I hear you, but I did not read it that way. I was trying to get zebert going that night so he could record. I think littledog could have said, get a pad as I did and end it. No reason to bring up to this kid about his lack of engineering skills. I prefer to encourage users rather than tell them they don't have skills. How else will we get them to learn if they don't ask, and they will stop asking if they are made fun off.

I understand drummer humor, but I do not understand as he wrote:
This is getting to be an epidemic around here,
PROBLEM: Engineer using wrong equipment or lack of engineering skill has trouble mic'ing drum kit.


If he put a smiley face after that comment, I would have guessed it as a joke. Hey, like Harvey I want to help people where I can. I do not like to see guys take abuse. Yeah, maybe I took it wrong. If I did, my fault and I am sorry, but if it was a dig, not cool.

Alan Hyatt
 
Whoopysnorp said:


Easy there, Alan, I think littledog was just trying to make a joke about drummer temperament.
Click to expand...

That's the way I took it too. A little light-hearted ribbing is always fun!
 
Hey I took it as a ribbing too and he said it about me. Anyway can anyone tell me a model number for this in line mic pad. I'm having a bit of trouble tracking one down on line.
Thanks
For what it's worth Alan, your doing a hell of a job. Don't let them run you off again.
 
Ironically he managed to insult Zbert's engineering and drumming skills and Alans' mic with the same remark ;)

I'm impressed by his efficiency.
 
alanhyatt said:
Your idea of the pad was already suggested, so read the post. Instead of telling zebert to lighten it up, I should probably tell you the same thing.
Click to expand...

Way to go Alan. Why don't you just go and start something with one of our most valued and knowlegeable members as they make (rather humorous) drummer jokes? :D
 
Well, you know me guys. I don't need a cause to start a war...All I need is a time and place :D

Alan Hyatt
 
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