Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Advice on getting overheads to capture the full kit image.

trevoire520 · 4th August 2009

Hey all, I'm currently on the hunt for some overhead mic's as I've recently realised how unsatisfied I am with the sounds I am getting.
I seem to be getting lots of cymbals and not enough drums. I usually go for spaced cardiods over the kit, though I've gone coincident a couple of times too.

I messed around with placement during a session the other day bringing the Oh's lower down but I still found my drums lacking punch and the cymbals still were coming out too loud.

In the past I've used Red 5 Audio RV8's, AKG C414BULS, Audio Technica AT4050, AKG C430 and I'm currently using AKG C391B's.

I listened to alot of my old sessions the other day and (worryingly) my best results were with the RV8's in very poor rooms (my living room and a garage) with no acoustic treatment. The drums seem much more direct, in your face and punchier, even when compared to AT4050's or 414's from my college recordings (which were in a VERY well designed and treated room)

Is it maybe that with the RV8's being cheaper that they're less sensitive and are picking up less reflections and ambient sound from the room? Resulting in more direct drum sound?

I've currently got a pair of CAD M179's and an AT4040 at my disposal, I'm thinking maybe the variable patterns on the CAD's might help me to dial the room out a bit?

If anyone could tell me if I'm making sense, or chime in with a reccomendation for some new overhead mic's (though I doubt this is the problem) it would be greatly appreciated.

4th August 2009	#1
trevoire520 Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 269 Thread Starter	Advice on getting overheads to capture the full kit image. Hey all, I'm currently on the hunt for some overhead mic's as I've recently realised how unsatisfied I am with the sounds I am getting. I seem to be getting lots of cymbals and not enough drums. I usually go for spaced cardiods over the kit, though I've gone coincident a couple of times too. I messed around with placement during a session the other day bringing the Oh's lower down but I still found my drums lacking punch and the cymbals still were coming out too loud. In the past I've used Red 5 Audio RV8's, AKG C414BULS, Audio Technica AT4050, AKG C430 and I'm currently using AKG C391B's. I listened to alot of my old sessions the other day and (worryingly) my best results were with the RV8's in very poor rooms (my living room and a garage) with no acoustic treatment. The drums seem much more direct, in your face and punchier, even when compared to AT4050's or 414's from my college recordings (which were in a VERY well designed and treated room) Is it maybe that with the RV8's being cheaper that they're less sensitive and are picking up less reflections and ambient sound from the room? Resulting in more direct drum sound? I've currently got a pair of CAD M179's and an AT4040 at my disposal, I'm thinking maybe the variable patterns on the CAD's might help me to dial the room out a bit? If anyone could tell me if I'm making sense, or chime in with a reccomendation for some new overhead mic's (though I doubt this is the problem) it would be greatly appreciated.