Tubedude's 3mic Technique

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moelar2

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I read about this technique when Tubedude first informed this site about it. Though I've used this technique since I found out of it, I'm still uncertain how the mics are "equi-distant." This is what I understand:

1. Hold two sticks end to end from center of snare. Place LEFT mic over it (capsule to top of stick).

2. With drummer sitting down in playing position, take sticks, still end to end, and place them directly above RIGHT shoulder. Put RIGHT mic capsule over right shoulder above sticks (almost touching).

This is what I've done. Without even measuring, it is clear that the snare is much closer to the Left mic capsule than it is to the RIght mic capsule. This because the RIght mic capsule, being that it is direcltly above the right shoulder, is 1-2ft to the side. So, if I take a cable of some sort and meaure the distance from the center of the snare to the LEFT mic, the distance is going to be roughly 2ft (length of two drumsticks). IF I take that same length and hold it from the center of the snare to the RIGHT mic, the cable will be short by about 1ft. The same effect will happen with reference to the kick drum. How is this EQUIDISTANT?
 
Umm, not sure why you think this, but 2feet from the center of the snare straight up, and 2 feet from the center even all the way sideways is 2 feet from the center. No matter how you look at it. If its 2 feet both ways, its 2 feet. Insert any number, tis the same.
I have a 2 strings with a very heavy brass washer tied around it and have it marked every 6 inches with a black marker. With 2 people this is easier. Have someone hold one strings washer dead center of the kick. The other one dead center of the snare. now, find the markers on the string you want, same marker on eeach, and cross the markers over the top of the snare. Place a mic here. Do the same to the left. Cross markers, place mic here.
Adjust center image to taste... done.
Maybe I dont understand your logic.
Peace.
 
Forgot... the strings wont be the same marker, the kick one will be longer obviously. but the same marker ON the kick string on both mics. Same with the snare, same marker.
Try making each 6 inch increment a different color. Keeps down on confusion and counting markers if you lose track.
I'm tracking a band 1st weekend of December and I plan on using this technique. I will take pictures if someone here is willing to scan them and put them up. I'll post audio files after I mix around the end of December.
Peace.
 
Tubedude -

I have attached a little skecth to help illustrate how I understand this method to be.

The washer/string example is confusing as well. Once you see my illustration you'll hopefullly understand why I'm confused.
 

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The "Rear view" text reads:

"this discrepancy makes it difficult to achieve equidistance."

Also, when considering my comments, bare in mind that I'm sticking to the original method; using two drums sticks end-to-end from 1) center of snare straight up and 2) drummers right shoulder straight up.
 
I think your supposed to put the second mic 2 sticks from the snare also (not 2 sticks from your shoulder), just positioned over by your right shoulder (in that area). That actually makes it (for me) 6 inches or so from my right shoulder.
 
That is EXACTLY the kind of clarification I'm looking for!

Thanks Ziller.
 
Haha, now I see... too funny....
no wonder you had trouble with it. Dont forget to stay equidistant from the kick too. Do you understand the string method now?
 
Absolutely!!

The funny thing is that I thought I was getting the great sound everybody talked about anyway! Can't wait to hear what it sounds like now...

Thanks!
 
When you get it set up right, take a picture and post it so everyone will quit bugging me about it :)
 
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