kick drum reply
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Posted on Jun 11, 2005 06:57 am
jmail
jimmie neutron
Member Since: Feb 14, 2005
I can't find the 2 threads where folks were discussing kick drum sizes and set-ups and I had replied about a friend's setup, but he hadn't replied... Well he called last night:
Pearl 22x18 kick, a standard size "medium" el cheapo pillow from the neighborhood discount store laying in the shell, lightly against the beater head. Remo Coated Ambassador beater head "tuned" to approximate a low "E" note (most of their tunes are "da bluze" in the key of "E" or "A"). Remo Clear front head, tuned to "sympathize" (sic) with the front head. In other words, they aren't exactly the same, but they "compliment" each other on an "E" note. He uses a standard Pearl pedal and beater. The sound he gets is *BIG* & deep, but not boomy or "ringey". The only problem with a double-head setup is the recording mic technique. He has no hole in the resonant head ("you lose the sound, man"). Isolation "booth" for the kick? But it sounds *good*. He says it took a while to get it set.
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Josh RoseJR ProductionsMember
Since: Mar 03, 2005
Jun 11, 2005 08:48 am Hey jmail that was me that asked what that size was. Thanks for gettin that info! Unfortunatly with the set I'm getting, they only made the kick drums 17"s deep. But I never really thought about actually tunning the drum to a specific note...I'll have to try that. Would you think to use a normal acustic guitar tuner for this??? As for not having a hole in the head, I think thats just a nessesary sacrifice you have to make if you want to record the kick. Because still from outsite the resonant head, you won't get any beater sound. Actually, the other day I saw this thing in my local music store where somehow the mic is permanatly in the drum and then the cord runs out through the air hole. Any else have/heard of them? Thanks again jmail.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jun 11, 2005 09:24 am I've thought about that in the past with our drummer. Just haven't quite gotten to it yet. I'd fear that there'd be lots of trial and error to get a good sound. After I get my studio built, I may look into this option, as the drummer's kit would probably stay put in the studio.
I've thought of the resonant type of mic, attaching it to the drum shell, then be able to mix it in with the acoustic sound.
Just thinking out loud here =)
jmailjimmie neutronMember
Since: Feb 14, 2005
Jun 12, 2005 08:46 am We were discussing the mic question in depth and came up with using the tuning lug thru-bolts as a mount point for a home-built adapter plate for a mic mount and just leaving a dedicated mic in there. I think I'd make a new hole for the cable, or mount an XLR plug on the shell instead of using the air hole. That thing is there for a reason. But surgery on a wood shell disturbs me...
He couldn't get a tuner to "hear" his drum hit too well when tuning and just had himself a bass guitar sitting in a stand nearby and would hit the note on it and let it ring.
Edit: all of his drums are "tuned" to notes, btw.
