X/Y or Stero/Mono, by recording drums

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:21 am

Hi. I would like to ask, what position of overheads is better by drum recording. I use X/Y type of overhead position, but in some recording seminars, thah lern to record drum kit as well, explain Stereo/Mono mode and 3 in 1 rule. I now that there are more another types, byt i want to lern about this (X/Y or Stero/Mono). Please explain which type is better.
Thanks Wink

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:34 am

Goto Youtube and search on "drum recording". You get over 6000 hits. Of the top few, the Presonus offering is reasonably comprehensive, if a little idiosyncratic. Try also "Recorderman".

TWYLALTR (take what you like and leave the rest).

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:41 am

The choice of technique in placing mics as overheads for a drum kit is entirely subjective and really has no answer to your question of 'best'.....

The room, the kit, the style of music, the drummers technique....all have as much to do with the choice of pattern as well as the choice of mic, mic positioning,preamp selection, and even the orientation of the drums in the room they're being recorded in.

The 'best' choice is whats best for that moment.

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:49 am

XY can be nice for straightahead jazz. But most of us end up utilizing 2 microphone stands with booms on either side of the drum set. It helps to provide a greater sense of stereo-phonic separation, than the predominantly mono like quality from XY. Conversely, ORTF will provide a slightly better stereo image as will MS/middle side. But let's be practical, it's much easier to use 2 separate microphone stands and booms for two separate microphone overheads.

Doesn't anybody ever watch television anymore? Most variety shows demonstrate a how to vision to microphone up drums. These television shows have not employed beginner amateurs to put microphones on drums. They are highly skilled and highly paid professionals like myself. It makes me think that everybody is blind here? It just makes you wonder how people read these posts? Obviously, many people can't or don't read these posts as these questions regularly appear. I think most are blinded by stupid things they read by people who don't do what they write about.

Nobody here has written about the phase problems of having 4 newscaster's virtually sitting shoulder to shoulder. In that respect, it doesn't matter if you are using directional for omnidirectional microphones. That's where you cannot follow the 3 to 1 recommendation of microphone placement separation. That's what mixing is all about. You have to quickly ride levels which means some pretty fast finger moves and not upon your girlfriends. Electronic devices and other blah blah doesn't cut it.

So I recommend popping open a couple of beers and watching some serious variety late-night programming.

Jay Leno, David Letterman and Saturday Night Live come to mind. I too have engineered late night TV variety shows. You will get so proficient at moving your fingers quickly, you may find an improvement in your masturbation technique? One can only hope.

Fast fingered girl
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:54 pm

RemyRAD wrote:

Doesn't anybody ever watch television anymore? Most variety shows...

Remy...you're dating yourself. Variety shows haven't been on TV since Rowen and Martin and perhaps the Bradys.

Although, there was the muppets. That Animal was a bitchin drummer!

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:40 pm

Actually, I think I worked on the last variety show here in Washington DC? It was for our entertainment critic Arch Campbell at the NBC owned and operated W. R. C. Channel 4. It was a real variety show and a lot of fun at that. And of course during ratings, the funniest show was all of these local drag queens! The funniest one was this guy who did Cindy Lauper's " Girls Just Want To Have Fun". Actual Real Hysterical Entertainment. I Miss That Show. I engineered everything on the Neve I now own. We Would Have Real Bands in That I Got to Mike up and Fly by the Seat of My Pants mixing since there was no multitrack nor postproduction performed. Our Mini Tonight Show. I Would Love to do Live Game Shows and/or other Variety Shows. That's why I should look into LA or Orlando? It's too cold in NYC.

The good old days
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:05 am

Quote:

You will get so proficient at moving your fingers quickly, you may find an improvement in your masturbation technique? One can only hope.

Quote:

Remy...you're dating yourself. Variety shows haven't been on TV since Rowen and Martin and perhaps the Bradys.

It seems variety shows aren't the only way Remy's dating herself!!! Shocked

Sorry, I just couldn't resist that one Twisted Evil

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:31 pm

freaky? Do say. You've got to get it when you can.

Although I can admit I have enjoyed making binaural recordings and other things bi.....like microphones. I guess it's probably also safe to say that I too am the woman of my dreams. Which I guess could sound slightly schizophrenic if it wasn't for the fact that I'm both a broadcaster and recording engineer.

Adapter Raptor Rapture
Ms. Remy Ann David

Or should that be the other way around? Not be? Be not as it may.....

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