What positions to put the stereo overheads?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RobertPhilbeck
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RobertPhilbeck

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Ok Im using two shure58 dynamic mics for overheads, and thats all I can afford. What is the best position for them? Ive heard of placing them in a V-shape flush with the front of the kit with capsule just centimeters from one another, or about 6 inches apart. Ive heard of making a cross or X formation with the mics. And Ive heard of placing them on opposite sides of the kit.
ive also been told that spacing them to far apart causes phase cancellation, and Ive been told that phase cancelation only occurs when they are close to one another. Ive heard you can reverse the polarity of the mics on your mixer if phase cancellation occurs. I have a Mackie 1402 VlzPro....wheres this switch?
So all things considered, where is going to be the most effective overhead location for these types of mics to yield a good country/rock drum sound. I suppose I can try them all, and I will, but since I've never heard phase cancellation how will I know its there?

Thanks
Robert
 
There's already a similar topic where someone only has two mics to record drums. Look for that one, there are some good suggestions in there.
 
Your Mackie doesn't have the switch. These switches are mostly found on dedicated pre-aps (stand alones).

I suggest placing them at opposite ends of your drumset (the overheads), and getting Joe Blow to bang on your drums. Get a pair of loud headphones (Sony MDR-7506's are GREAT) and move your mics around. You won't need to move them much--phase is a consequence of wave physics, and sound waves aren't that long on cymbals and snare. In fact, once you find a good spot for one side of your kit, keep it there. Adjust the OTHER one until you find your sound. You'll know it--phase problems create cancellations of sound, and when you notice each drum part the loudest, you're set.

I compress my overheads to sustain the cymbals. If I need more punch to the toms, I EQ the kick drum mic on their tones (high of low and mid), and pull them up in mix.

Dig it.
 
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