Recording (ethnic) drums

ISedlacek · 29th August 2004, 08:48 PM

I am in a process of recording intensive drums tracks for a dynamic CD. These are rather ethnic drums like various kind of djembes, frame drums, small percussions etc.
The tracks will be played by one or two players at a time.
I have already recorded something before, using a Schoeps omni stereo pair (MK2). While it did not sound bad, it could have had slightly more space, punch and clarity.
I have just arrived to completing "full power" 4 recording channels: 3 pairs of Schoeps (MK21, MK2, MK4V), 4 ch Millennia and 4 ch Lavry AD.
Would it be beneficial to use 2 pairs array for recording these drums ? Like 2 close mics (MK21 or MK4V) and one more distant ambience ("overhead") omni pair ? I tried a small sample just now, with a single djembe, using MK4V as closed mics and MK2 as a "spacy" pair and when mixed properly together, it sounded quite well (better than any single pair).
When recording a frame "shamanic" drum I heard slight "phase" issues.
What would be a recommended starting point for 4 mics array(position, distance) for one or two drummers in action, to get nice, very dynamic, spacy drumming sound ? The room is of smaller size, quite neutral, acoustically treated.
Thanks in advance for an advice (I have never done this before).

zimv20 · 29th August 2004, 10:22 PM

i recorded a djembe w/ a stapes sto on the top and a blue dragonfly on the bottom. worked well for the song. ymmv.

Jay Kahrs · 30th August 2004, 07:54 AM

Have them play then walk around the room until you find a spot that you like the sound of. Then, put the mics there. Tweak slightly if needed through placement first, then EQ and/or compression. Rinse & repeat as nessacary.

scotty-o · 30th August 2004, 10:32 PM

The biggest thing I've learned about recording these types of instruments is to get the mic away from the drums.

Close micing djembes just sounds very wrong to me.
I've used a LD condensor about 6-8 feet back in a smallish room with very natural and punchy results.

As always, YMMV :)

Have fun with the project!

-Scotty

Ted Nightshade · 31st August 2004, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jay Kahrs
Have them play then walk around the room until you find a spot that you like the sound of.

I would specify this spot to be the size of the mic diaphragm. Put the mic exactly where your ear was when you really liked the way it sounded! A couple centimeters away is just not the same.

Bruce Keen · 31st August 2004, 12:36 PM

I always lacked a bit of low end when recording Djembe and Udu and I really like the R84 under the instrument for that. The natural and ambient thing you get from distant miking is cool but I find tht the trick is to get the right distance for the track.
Personnally I like close miking with dynamics such as the RE20, 421, 441, SM57 for the punch and leave up 3 or 4 pairs at various distances and patterns to create contrast. I do this because you rarely get the time to move the mikes in a heavily overdubbed context.
All edgy perc like tambourines, triangles and cowbells usually like ribbons.
I find that when you record all the perc with the same setup it makes them very difficult to separate and makes the whole mix bit one dimensional. As said before the position in the room is crucial to get the space but when going AB don't space too wide because you lose the impact IMHO.
Headroom in the Pres is also important but your HV3's are great for this application.
If this is your first time don't forget to get some percussion CD's to give yourself a picture.

Cheers

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29th August 2004, 08:48 PM	#1
ISedlacek Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Czech mountains and forests Posts: 2,787	Recording (ethnic) drums I am in a process of recording intensive drums tracks for a dynamic CD. These are rather ethnic drums like various kind of djembes, frame drums, small percussions etc. The tracks will be played by one or two players at a time. I have already recorded something before, using a Schoeps omni stereo pair (MK2). While it did not sound bad, it could have had slightly more space, punch and clarity. I have just arrived to completing "full power" 4 recording channels: 3 pairs of Schoeps (MK21, MK2, MK4V), 4 ch Millennia and 4 ch Lavry AD. Would it be beneficial to use 2 pairs array for recording these drums ? Like 2 close mics (MK21 or MK4V) and one more distant ambience ("overhead") omni pair ? I tried a small sample just now, with a single djembe, using MK4V as closed mics and MK2 as a "spacy" pair and when mixed properly together, it sounded quite well (better than any single pair). When recording a frame "shamanic" drum I heard slight "phase" issues. What would be a recommended starting point for 4 mics array(position, distance) for one or two drummers in action, to get nice, very dynamic, spacy drumming sound ? The room is of smaller size, quite neutral, acoustically treated. Thanks in advance for an advice (I have never done this before). __________________ Ivo Velvet Mastering Savita Music

29th August 2004, 10:22 PM	#2
zimv20 Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,460	i recorded a djembe w/ a stapes sto on the top and a blue dragonfly on the bottom. worked well for the song. ymmv. __________________ She's tidied up and I can't find anything

30th August 2004, 10:32 PM	#4
scotty-o Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: D.C. / MD Posts: 204	The biggest thing I've learned about recording these types of instruments is to get the mic away from the drums. Close micing djembes just sounds very wrong to me. I've used a LD condensor about 6-8 feet back in a smallish room with very natural and punchy results. As always, YMMV :) Have fun with the project! -Scotty __________________ "It's just like being in a reverb sandwich" - D.R. "I wish more musicians were more interested in their "performance" than the "technology" that lets them appear to be musicians" - mixerman499 "He was playing a Fender Precision with flatwound strings, like God meant for man to do." - Jim Dickinson

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31st August 2004, 12:36 PM	#6
Bruce Keen Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Paris France Posts: 178	I always lacked a bit of low end when recording Djembe and Udu and I really like the R84 under the instrument for that. The natural and ambient thing you get from distant miking is cool but I find tht the trick is to get the right distance for the track. Personnally I like close miking with dynamics such as the RE20, 421, 441, SM57 for the punch and leave up 3 or 4 pairs at various distances and patterns to create contrast. I do this because you rarely get the time to move the mikes in a heavily overdubbed context. All edgy perc like tambourines, triangles and cowbells usually like ribbons. I find that when you record all the perc with the same setup it makes them very difficult to separate and makes the whole mix bit one dimensional. As said before the position in the room is crucial to get the space but when going AB don't space too wide because you lose the impact IMHO. Headroom in the Pres is also important but your HV3's are great for this application. If this is your first time don't forget to get some percussion CD's to give yourself a picture. Cheers