I need a professional ear's help (with drum miking)...

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Member Since: Apr 13, 2006

Im new to recording. I've tried it various times, and I'm trying again. This time, though, I'm really trying to learn as much as I can and get a great sound (or at least good). I'm also a drummer, and I'd like to get some good recordings of my drums. I bought an 8-channel preamp (SM Pro Audio PR8 MK2), and I have an m-audio delta 10-10 on its way so that I can record 8 tracks all at the same time. I started messing around with the preamp today to see how some of my drums sound. I have a drum mic set, the Audix Fusion 7 drum mic set that comes with 3 f10 mics, one f12, one f14 for the bass drum, and two f15s for the overheads.

My concern right now is just with the bass drum (since thats all i've tried so far). Let me just explain quickly how I set it up, and then I'll let you hear a small sample of what I recorded. I set the f14 up using a mini mic stand designed for bass drum mics, and had it outside of the bass drum angled straight towards beaters on the other side. I then plugged it into my preamp where i put the gain on just some level where i thought it wouldn't clip (which it didnt). I plugged a line in from my sound card into the preamp's +4 dB output (Once the delta 10-10 comes i'm gonna plug each channel straight into that). Then I opened up cubase, recorded it straight with that and didn't add any extra effects or EQs or anything. Here is the file: media.putfile.com/kick-sample
(let me know if that doesnt work for some reason).

Here are my concerns: it pretty much sounds like crap, no? I have a good drum set (a pearl masters birch), and the mics are pretty good...right? The bass sounds muffled and lifeless. It doesnt have that crazy punch like other recordings have. I'm pretty new to all of this, so all i would like is some professional advice. Anything you have to say, or things to point out that I'm doing wrong, or criticism on my equipment. Anything to let me know what would give me a better sound and what i should be doing. Thank you so much to anyone who actually reads through this. I'll stop talking now and start letting you type.

David

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Kaos is only a form of insanity
Member
Since: Feb 03, 2005


Apr 21, 2006 07:32 am

Hi disbot4

I agree listening to the clip the drum is highly muffled. have you stuffed it full ith crap? Their also seems to be large amount of rebound from the front head that you are picking up. i would first of all set about tuning the drum to the best sound you can get. this can take a while but it really is worth it. Also perhaps removing the front head could help or slacking it off a fair bit. It depends on the sound you are going for. I wouldn't dampen the drum too much as it does become lifeless. use as little dapening as you can. What head are you using as the evans muffle unit can be too much if using their foam system. one best option is one good heavyduty piece of blanket wheighted down. (I have one small piece in mie thats all.)

The next trial & error phase is the mic placement, i first of all had my mic all the way in then progressively moved it out until the sound was achieved. Mine is now about 3 inches out of the drum.

After all that ou will then once recorded come into the domain of EQ and compression. It's best to leave EQ flat on recording but you can always have compression running when you are tracking.

I hope some of this is of help (certainly not proffesional advice mind you) let us know how you get on.

Have a listen to this media.putfile.com/Kick-gate-2

Member
Since: Feb 02, 2006


Apr 21, 2006 11:35 am

Hay Man,

Happy to have you here with us.

Micing Drums is some real work,when I started out in recording,I too had sound every where.
I worked my butt off to get the right sound,but no luck.
Soooooooo I call up a Recording studio for help on Micing Drums,they let me come in on there down time and helped me out,I learned alot from them on Mics,and there placement.sometimes you have to go see it for yourself to understand, if you know what I mean.


Ken Sutton
www.waterfallrecordings.com
www.sweetkenny.com

Member
Since: Apr 13, 2006


Apr 21, 2006 02:06 pm

hey guys,

thanks a lot for the reply. I was hoping it had to do with the drum (cause i'd hate to buy more mics). I'm gonna try your advice today, and I'll let you know how it goes.

Member
Since: Mar 20, 2006


Apr 23, 2006 08:03 am

That's not a bad sound really considering that it's miced from outside the drum. A little eq to knock out the mid frequencies would do it a favor (400hz). Get inside the drum with the mic and that reso head will be in better balance. The overall tone sounds like the drum tuning is ok. It just needs a little more focus by adjusting mic placement and muffling.

JR Productions
Member
Since: Mar 03, 2005


Apr 23, 2006 01:37 pm

For my kick drum, I usually use the f12 inside the drum via a hole in the front head. I place it about 5 to 10"'s depending on what kind of sound i want. For example, for a tighter, more beater prominent sound, get closer to the beater.

In addition to the f12, I use another mic outside of the kick drum, usually a LDC. This helps to pick up the low end of the drum while the f12 gets the click and attack of the beater. Make sure to get the two in phase and it sounds awesome.

recording studio Edinburgh
Member
Since: Aug 01, 2015


Aug 01, 2015 01:02 am

Thanks for sharing amazing tips. The Noisefloor

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