Overheads on drums
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Posted on Jun 05, 2008 08:23 am
mclir9
www.witchsmark.com
Member Since: Aug 13, 2006
When I am recording the drums I am using a mic on the Kick, 1 on Snare, 1 Overhead Left Condenser Mic (To pickup Ride and crashes and Toms on the left) and 1 Overhead Right Condenser (To pickup Hihat, crashes and toms on right). Obviously the Overheads pickup alot of Kick and Snare also... problem is if my drummer goes back to correct a snare or kick timing issue then you still here the out-of-time kick or snare from the OH tracks. How can this be fixed??
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WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jun 05, 2008 08:50 am I'll chime in just because no one has answered yet. I really don't have an answer. It's a substantial problem. Some will try gating mics to have them "on" only during hits, others will use eq to try to limit tracks to the freq range of the "voice" wanted e.g. kick. I cheet often. I have a rather poor drummer in a band I play with and I make him use an electronic kit via midi. My humble opinion is to do punch-ins, "perfect take" segments, etc. to "build" the percussion. Another technique I have used in the past is to figgure out "how much" a drummer can do well and have the drummer make multiple passes at a piece playing different parts of the kit for each pass. Not all drummers work well with that technique.
mclir9www.witchsmark.comMember
Since: Aug 13, 2006
Jun 05, 2008 10:16 am Another idea I just had is when doing the Punch-In, instead of just Arming the Kick track, Arm all of the drum tracks to redo the entire Drum ensemble instead of just the Kick or Snare, this way there will be no bleed because the entire drum kit is now being re-recorded for that Punch-In. My drummer actually has an Electronic drum kit... maybe I can talk him into using it for recording. It would make things so much easier especially setting levels.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jun 05, 2008 10:52 am If there is a timing issue with the drums then the only way to correct it is to re-track. No other way around it really. Not IMO anyways.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jun 05, 2008 11:05 am Yes definately arm all tracks effected, (most likely all tracks period) when punching. That is the whole concept. Also try to pick your punch in and out spots carefully. Think about ring over from cymbals and such at those points.
Tricky business.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jun 05, 2008 11:08 am Quote:
Tricky business.
Exactly why I said to re-track. It is usually quicker and better in the long run. Maybe if he was playing to a click track you would stand a chance fixing it.
mclir9www.witchsmark.comMember
Since: Aug 13, 2006
Jun 05, 2008 11:09 am Yeah... it was just a lagging out of time Kick thump that needed correction, where he kind of double kicked on accident because he kicked too soon and tried to make up for it, hehe. Anyways, it's in the opening of the song so we already discussed it and decided to just repunch from the beginning to where there is a small drum break right before the Singer begins to sing. Should be pretty forgiving.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jun 05, 2008 11:17 am Got ya mclir9! And I agree BH at least in theory. Sometimes I feel like I work with the worlds worst drummers on average. Most of them can't get through a whole song without making a mess somewhere. I agree if you can get a "perfect" (enough) take that is the best for sure.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jun 05, 2008 11:20 am Ya, I'm kinda spoiled when it comes to drummers. The drummers I have been working with lately are really tight and on their game. Usually the "keeper" comes within 3 takes.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jun 05, 2008 11:22 am Oh you do pisssss me off!
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 05, 2008 12:46 pm I have been lucky of late. The current project is four songs, the drummer only did 5 takes total. He was awesome in regards to being light on the brass and pounding the toms, very professional all around.
Now when I record my own drums, 15 takes later I usually get it ;)
Anyway, I agree with the punch in method. I also agree you must pick your spots carefully due to ringing cymbals and toms.
