Opinions requested on drum recording

Aleksey Vaneev · 12th July 2008, 02:55 PM

I have finally got to recording a first test of my newly built studio, designed for drum recording and small band recording. Vocal recording and occasional mixing sessions are also possible after drums are muffled and insulated with special panels: a kind of two-purpose room, but an external tracking engineer workplace is also available.

Drums are Pearl Masters Premium 6ply Maple, cymbals are all Sabian "dark" hand hammered. Mics (90 degrees to each other) were standing in front of drums, at 1 meter distance, 1.5 m height from the floor (a very basic setup). To sample the session I was using RME Fireface 800 at 96kHz, later resampled to 44.1kHz with r8brain PRO.

Rode NT1-A:
http://www.voxengo.com/temp/voxs_nt1a.mp3

Sennheiser E614 (with a bit adjusted bass drum):
http://www.voxengo.com/temp/voxs_e614.mp3

Please share your opinions.

Wo0d643 · 15th July 2008, 06:44 PM

sounds like drums

Aleksey Vaneev · 15th July 2008, 08:18 PM

Thanks ;) Well, I guess it's as good as you could rate them? :)

Dimes · 15th July 2008, 08:41 PM

Sounds pretty good so far. I'd like to hear another example with the kick close mic'd. I'm not sure how to rate it but it seems like you'll be able to get some good sounds.

Wo0d643 · 15th July 2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleksey Vaneev

Thanks ;) Well, I guess it's as good as you could rate them? :)

yeah i have to try alittle harder my room sucks
i like it
of course project dependent sounds on drums

Aleksey Vaneev · 15th July 2008, 09:34 PM

Yes, it's just the room and drums - no complex mic'ing here (but a lot of bucks and brain cells spent). The room is not large - 36sq.meters, but with lots of diffusion. Indeed, in production bass drum has to be mic'ed. Or maybe pair of mics I've used can be better positioned. I'll probably post more tests in a month - the room have to be finished. It will have even more diffusion and a little bit brighter sound in the end.

rhythminmind · 15th July 2008, 09:51 PM

Well i'm not sure what your looking for. Being a drummer myself i go all out while tracking. I close mic everything & blend what is needed with the OH's.
You can hear some of my drum mixes here rhythminmind.net if you curious

Not exactly sure if your wanting to do a single mic setup or not but the NT1-A recording is really cymbal heavy.

Aleksey Vaneev · 15th July 2008, 10:11 PM

Thanks. I'm looking for some constructive feedback. "Cymbal heavy" means cymbals are louder than you like? I guess this skew can be fixed by close mic'ing the bass drum - there's lack of lower frequencies in average. Mics can be better positioned as well - I think that snare drum's phase is not optimal, and crash cymbals are a bit quiet.

Close mic'ing is a technique I'm also using in general, but I think if the job can be done with 2-3 mics, it's better to do it that way: there's always a risk to ruin things down with inter-mic interferences.

rhythminmind · 15th July 2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleksey Vaneev

Thanks. I'm looking for some constructive feedback. "Cymbal heavy" means cymbals are louder than you like? I guess this skew can be fixed by close mic'ing the bass drum - there's lack of lower frequencies in average. Mics can be better positioned as well - I think that snare drum's phase is not optimal, and crash cymbals are a bit quiet.

Close mic'ing is a technique I'm also using in general, but I think if the job can be done with 2-3 mics, it's better to do it that way: there's always a risk to ruin things down with inter-mic interferences.

Yeah the mic seemed to be picking up the cymbals more then the drums.
I love minimal micing setups depending on the music. It can have a great feel. Add in a 1176 type compressor & it can be gold. I just usually prefer the punch & clarity of close micing. Yes you do have to check phase more & take the time to set gates & mix, but thats what i love.

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12th July 2008, 02:55 PM	#1
Aleksey Vaneev Gear interested Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 18	Opinions requested on drum recording I have finally got to recording a first test of my newly built studio, designed for drum recording and small band recording. Vocal recording and occasional mixing sessions are also possible after drums are muffled and insulated with special panels: a kind of two-purpose room, but an external tracking engineer workplace is also available. Drums are Pearl Masters Premium 6ply Maple, cymbals are all Sabian "dark" hand hammered. Mics (90 degrees to each other) were standing in front of drums, at 1 meter distance, 1.5 m height from the floor (a very basic setup). To sample the session I was using RME Fireface 800 at 96kHz, later resampled to 44.1kHz with r8brain PRO. Rode NT1-A: http://www.voxengo.com/temp/voxs_nt1a.mp3 Sennheiser E614 (with a bit adjusted bass drum): http://www.voxengo.com/temp/voxs_e614.mp3 Please share your opinions.

15th July 2008, 09:51 PM	#7
rhythminmind Gear maniac Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 231	Well i'm not sure what your looking for. Being a drummer myself i go all out while tracking. I close mic everything & blend what is needed with the OH's. You can hear some of my drum mixes here rhythminmind.net if you curious Not exactly sure if your wanting to do a single mic setup or not but the NT1-A recording is really cymbal heavy. __________________ "Any experiment of interest in life will be carried out at your own expense." http://rhythminmind.net - http://popsound.com - http://signaltonoize.com

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15th July 2008, 06:44 PM	#2
Wo0d643 Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 121	sounds like drums

15th July 2008, 08:18 PM	#3
Aleksey Vaneev Gear interested Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 18	Thanks ;) Well, I guess it's as good as you could rate them? :)

15th July 2008, 08:41 PM	#4
Dimes Gear nut Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 112	Sounds pretty good so far. I'd like to hear another example with the kick close mic'd. I'm not sure how to rate it but it seems like you'll be able to get some good sounds.

15th July 2008, 09:34 PM	#6
Aleksey Vaneev Gear interested Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 18	Yes, it's just the room and drums - no complex mic'ing here (but a lot of bucks and brain cells spent). The room is not large - 36sq.meters, but with lots of diffusion. Indeed, in production bass drum has to be mic'ed. Or maybe pair of mics I've used can be better positioned. I'll probably post more tests in a month - the room have to be finished. It will have even more diffusion and a little bit brighter sound in the end.

15th July 2008, 10:11 PM	#8
Aleksey Vaneev Gear interested Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 18	Thanks. I'm looking for some constructive feedback. "Cymbal heavy" means cymbals are louder than you like? I guess this skew can be fixed by close mic'ing the bass drum - there's lack of lower frequencies in average. Mics can be better positioned as well - I think that snare drum's phase is not optimal, and crash cymbals are a bit quiet. Close mic'ing is a technique I'm also using in general, but I think if the job can be done with 2-3 mics, it's better to do it that way: there's always a risk to ruin things down with inter-mic interferences.