Skinny on the tape trick?

demel · 4th November 2005

I saw a photo of a tape measure being stretched out from a snare to an overhead mic on a drum kit. Is the anyone that may be able to enlighten me on the details of this technique?

Thanks in advance.

everybody's x · 4th November 2005

i imagine someone was making sure the distance from the snare to each OH was the same, for phase coherence.
I use a mic cable myself

davenutz · 4th November 2005

they were probably being anal about the 3:1 rule

AlexLakis · 4th November 2005

Yep. Take a mic cable, and have your assistant (or the drummer) hold it down onto the snare head. Then, place your first overhead, then draw the cable out to the diaphragm of the mic. Still holding both ends respectively, walk around to the other side of the kit and place the diaphragm of the second overhead at the same distance. This should help minimize phasing issues with the snare, and help your snare sit more centralized in the mix.

JonCraig · 4th November 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

This should help minimize phasing issues with the snare, and help your snare sit more centralized in the mix.

not always. it's the two mic's relative position relative to each other that will determine their phase relationship. putting the mics equidistant from the snare (or the kick, or whatever you choose) will put that instrument dead center in the stereo image.

when i'm feeling that anal, i set both mics up close to where i know i want them. then use the mic cable, as has been mentioned before, and adjust the mics. but just because you measure the mics doesn't mean you have phase compatibility.

but a tape measure? that may be taking it just a bit too far.........

--jon

4th November 2005	#1
demel Gear addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 328 Thread Starter	Skinny on the tape trick? I saw a photo of a tape measure being stretched out from a snare to an overhead mic on a drum kit. Is the anyone that may be able to enlighten me on the details of this technique? Thanks in advance.

4th November 2005	#2
everybody's x Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: kansas city Posts: 1,618	i imagine someone was making sure the distance from the snare to each OH was the same, for phase coherence. I use a mic cable myself __________________ Dave

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4th November 2005	#3
davenutz Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New York CIty Posts: 276	they were probably being anal about the 3:1 rule

4th November 2005	#4
AlexLakis Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD/L.A. Posts: 3,631	Yep. Take a mic cable, and have your assistant (or the drummer) hold it down onto the snare head. Then, place your first overhead, then draw the cable out to the diaphragm of the mic. Still holding both ends respectively, walk around to the other side of the kit and place the diaphragm of the second overhead at the same distance. This should help minimize phasing issues with the snare, and help your snare sit more centralized in the mix.