Drum Pre' Variety?

[DarkEcho]

Do you tend to use different preamps on the different parts of the kit
(Maybe an API on the snare and a Neve for the kick)

Or, do you just run every drum mic through the same type of pre?
(Everything through the Millenia!)

[kyle lee]

different pres. If you're going to use all the same pres, use API. They're the most punchy and have better transient response while still having a good character. Another option for all the same pres is just cutting through an SSL G or J. If you know what you're doing, those consoles are one-stop shops to a great tracking session. My vote is

Kick - Neve
Snare - Chandler TG
Toms - API
OHs - Neve

But yeah, always use different pres if you can. If you're going to use Millinia, then limit the use to something like HH and Ride.

[Podgorny]

Originally Posted by kyle lee

Another option for all the same pres is just cutting through an SSL G or J.

J yes.
G no.



If possible, I prefer to go with all the same mic pres, be they Neve, API, Trident, whatever.
But gear selection usually dictates otherwise. So often I'll end up with Neve or Vintech on kick and snare, and and V72s on overheads, etc.

If the console pres leave something to be desired, I would certainly rather use several different kinds of high-quality mic pres than resort to a lesser signal path simply because there are more of them.

[kyle lee]

Originally Posted by Podgorny

J yes.
G no.

Yeah...actually I agree with you. He asked about pres...sorry about that.

[DarkEcho]

Well, my situation is a little bit difficult..

I am going to go with a Seventh Circle Audio DIY preamp kit that will be used on everything from vocals, guitars, drums, bass, etc..

On one hand I want to have all the pre's be the same (Probably the A12 because it's the APIesque one) for drums and guitar etc.. But the Neve sounds like it would be great for Bass, Vocals, Kick, and like you said- Overheads (and maybe toms?)

So I think it would be better for me to get a variety of Preamps instead of going with 8channels of API-like ones because it will give me the variety and choices I might need for other instruments.. I guess the question is now-

With 8 channels possible, which modules and how many should I get?

I was thinking maybe straight up 4A12 and 4N72 (the API and Neveish ones).

However- there are also some DI modules, and some more Clean modules..

For Rock music- maybe I don't need as many clean channels?

(I do have a DAV BG1 for that purpose- though I was thinking of selling it)

[yesac81]

if you are doing rock 4 x a12 and 4 x n72 would work great.

if you are selling the dav then grab either 2 x c84's, 2 x j99's or 2 x t15's (don't be put off by the cost of the t15's either, they are beautifully clean and clear and still have some magic in em) in place of 2 of the n72's.

my rack atm has 2 x a12, 1 x n72 and 3 x t15 (1 of the t15's i subbed an opamp with a burr brown opa2604 to crust it up a little). asap i will be getting another t15 and another n72 to round it out.

all of that said, one day when i get more room, money, time, etc, etc, i will filling a rack with a12's. of the SCA pre's i've heard they are my favorite (don't get me wrong, it's the pick of a VERY good bunch)

[Full Clip Audio]

I dont think it is 100% necessary but if you have the luxury of doing it you can get some great results.

For me its usually....

Kick: Tangent or Neve
Snare: 610 or Portico
Toms: API
Overheads: A designs P1s

everything else in terms of kit micing is less critical imo.

[DarkEcho]

So it seems like people are liking API's on the Toms... I would have thought the lower boosting and smoother Neve would be better for the Toms..

So what are some good configurations for SCA preamps on a drum kit?

Kick - Neve
Snare - API
OH - Neve
Toms - API
Hihat?

Why is it that I keep hearing this recommendation?

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by DarkEcho

I would have thought the lower boosting and smoother Neve would be better for the Toms..?

I prefer the 'Neve' sound on toms for exactly the reason you stated. API (and to be fair, similar sounding preamps of which there are a few) always requires more compression and processing to get what I can get out of a pre that's already a little fatter and slower (but still punchy enough).

[yrlk]

If you intend on doing the 7th Circle thing, here would be my priority:

If getting 6 channels, 2x or 4xN72, 2xA12, and/or 2xJ99.

I've heard the N72's and A12's, and the N72's are the best out of those two. The J99's, well... if you like the Jensen sound, it can be just great. That's why I recommend those.

If you go 8 though, I'd get 4xN72's, 2xA12's, and 2xJ99's.

My reasoning:

Pretty much anything that sounds close to a Neve channel just works brilliantly on everything; plus, the N72's can be driven like a Neve can - with variable input and output, see?

I'd stay away from the transformerless - especially, if you already have a DAV. Transformerless can be nice for catching lots of detail/transients/etc. (obviously), but for the most part, character pieces (in terms of rock and roll) like Neve's and API's still get used more often than anything else in the world... and the reason is because they just work. =)

Just my 2 cents, even if it's obvious statements.

Brad

[Full Clip Audio]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

I prefer the 'Neve' sound on toms for exactly the reason you stated. API (and to be fair, similar sounding preamps of which there are a few) always requires more compression and processing to get what I can get out of a pre that's already a little fatter and slower (but still punchy enough).

I have found that if you dont engage the pad on the 512s you will be slamming them really hard with a 421 on toms even with the gain at zero. The sound is something I havent found with any other pre. Its HUUUUUUGE. I mean it is massive! The only problem with driving it that hard is that you get a ton of bleed from the crash and ride so you have to manually edit the tom tracks but I think it is really worth it. The other thing that can be useful is to make multiple samples of the drummer hitting the toms at different velocities. This way you get the huge sound 100% clean and you can use drumagog or something similar to trigger them if you have crashes or other bleed even during tom fills (which is not that common I find). If the toms are good and tuned properly you probably wont have to compress or EQ them at all (with the exception of taking out some lows to make room possibly)!