RecoderMan Drum OH Technique...

Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 10:13 am

I've read through the original post many times but I still can't get it right. Can someone 'dumb-down' the setup of this technique for Drum OHs? I just got a set of Studio Projects C4's and I'd like to use them in this method.

Please no flames about the mic choice. Just the facts about setting up and using the RecorderMan Technique.

Thanks,

Chris

Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 2:30 pm

1 mic capsule 2 drumsticks length above centre of snare the other capsule 2 drumsticks length away from both the snare centre and the kick drum centre (should be around the drummers right side head high but a little forward of him or her)

anyone thinks this wrong pleas correct me

Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 5:11 pm

I can't ever seem to get this to work w/o having the mics where I will invaribly smack them. So I tried ORTF instead - and it also works VERY well IMO. Also good for small rooms. Add some low-end boost to compensate for the lack of proximity effect, and you can achieve a huge punchy and coherent sound...

Cool

Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 8:42 pm

Here's my distilation of the directions. I always use a tape measure.

1. Put mic 1 about 32" over the center of the snare.
2. Measure the distance from mic 1 to the center of the bass drum. Suppose, for example it is 41".
3. Put mic 2 over the drummers right shoulder (assuming he is drumming right handed) at a point that is both 32" from the center of the snare and 41" from the center of the bass drum.
4. Adjust the direction of the mics to position the kick in the center of the stereo field when the channels are panned left and right.

The most important point is to have the mics equidistant from both the snare and the kick. (For the mathematically inclined, there is a circle of such points given by the intersection of the two spheres centered at the snare and the kick.... I'm sure that was a big help.)

Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 9:31 am

Thanks guys!

Smile

Chris

Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:15 am

This is slightly on topic, but does anyone know of a dictionary of sorta describing different drum micing techinques. I hear different names and terms being thrown around here sometimes that I haven't learned yet.

Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:53 pm

Here is a good description of the most common stereo micing techniques.

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:05 pm

Thank you very much. Thumbs Up

Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:47 am

I have tried recorderman method. Pretty good results, but I got some phasing problems on crash cymbals and (not sure) on hihat. Left mic is 34" over snare. Anyone had the same problem?

I'm still learing to hear and eliminate phasing problems. And it's difficult to me to hear phasing issues with headphones on (Sennheiser MD280) cause I am standing near to drumset and source sound (from cymbals) are very loud - compare to monitor sound in headphones. It drown the monitor sound. But I heard it in recoring later. It's "fiiijjaaauaauauaauuaauu" type of sound. Strange, but sometimes cybal hits are OK. Perhaps I'll upload some samples of recordings.

Anyway, I find it hard to set right OH mic properly, because I have to record some and then listen to it, then move mic and so on... Any suggestions?

Tnx,
Rok

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:52 pm

Rokoko wrote:

I have tried recorderman method. Pretty good results, but I got some phasing problems on crash cymbals and (not sure) on hihat. Left mic is 34" over snare. Anyone had the same problem?

I'm still learing to hear and eliminate phasing problems. And it's difficult to me to hear phasing issues with headphones on (Sennheiser MD280) cause I am standing near to drumset and source sound (from cymbals) are very loud - compare to monitor sound in headphones. It drown the monitor sound. But I heard it in recoring later. It's "fiiijjaaauaauauaauuaauu" type of sound. Strange, but sometimes cybal hits are OK. Perhaps I'll upload some samples of recordings.

Anyway, I find it hard to set right OH mic properly, because I have to record some and then listen to it, then move mic and so on... Any suggestions?

Tnx,
Rok

There seems to be one big issue with this technique. Which is the 3 to 1 rule. I am not surprised at all that there is phase issue.

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