Submitted by anonymous on Wed, 11/09/2005 - 08:09

I'm wondering what a good mic preamp for recording drums is. Right now I use a four channel sytek non-tube mpx 4a(burr brown option on channel 3, 4). I want to know if I should look into getting a nice (1-2k ) tube pre, like Sebatron vmp4000. I use :

  • -beta 91, kick inside drum
  • -AKG d12, kick outside, batter side
  • -Beyerdynamic m201, snare
  • -cad m9 overhead, or aea ribbon r 84 overhead.

The sound is good for now, and for the music I make,, but I'd like to tweak it as much as possible, . Wondering if a nice tube pre would add some needed character and interest to the sound. Suggestions on good multi-channel tube pres for 1-2 k?

Comments

I think for a drum set, you don't necessarily want soft or mushy preamps? Transistor circuit will certainly provide more snap. If you just want to spend your money? Go for it. I find that thermeonic preamps are better for vocals and other more melodic sounding instruments, where heavier second harmonic distortion is more desirable. If you are looking more for that "Thwack" sound on drums, you will want to add some quality limiting. Especially on the snare and bass drum. If you are not getting the drums sound you want? It may just be the drums and tuning?

Happy tracking!

Thank you RemyRad, Im not sure what a thermeonic preamp is, but I do want to spend my money, and I was thinkink tube because Ive heard of people getting good results, and wanted to hear for myself. My gms set sounds pretty darn good in my studio,. But I think the sytek makes it sound a little dry, with little warmth. Thats another reason I was thinking tube. Plkus i love to have the option for other areas of recording.

Yeah, I checked out that link and the jlm tmp8 looks like a great deal. Cant beat 8 channels for 2k for a serious recording pre like this. Kurt Fosters gives it a good review. He said it was a dream on drums, and the sound clips were impressive. Hey maybe I could get rid of my sytek and purchase one of these babys! Need to do some more research though, especially before shelling out two thousand clams! Thanks for your suggestions, they really do help

Wow, never really researched daking before but I just checked one out on ebay, and its quite costly, at least for me. Im sure it does sound nice on the kick, but I really need something with more channels, and within the 1-2 k range. Any comments on running drums through the GT Brick? Cause that's a tube pre, and quite affordable. I use it mostly for bass DI and love it! What an awesome pre.

Tubes on drums

Actually, tube distortion works well with high transients assuming you want to drive the system hard - and tube harmonics really enhance things that might need meat and character (snare). That's because tubes clip soft, and drums are more likely to clip than most sources. I like to use a tube pre on snare, and in my experience, tube mics sweeten brass a lot.

So, I would not put tubes out of the picture, but I will say that my Great River np2nv smokes my pendulum pre for overall gutsy drum sounds. It gives precision and a little color in the right places, and huge headroom.