Tom mic's

[Mr.Si]

http://www.mydrums.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/drums3.jpg

 

Notice the amount of beer! - is that T for Tetley's.

 

I'm recording this week and am gonna be using SM57's for Snare and toms (with tape around the plastic capsule bits to stop the rattle), a D112 for Kick and C1000's and Rode NT3's for Overheads and Hat.

 

I might go for Sennheisers after all.

[williamjones]

I have used both the sennheiser e604's and shure beta 98 mics on toms.

 

honestly I prefer the sennheiser ones, they sound more wieghty to my ears, the betas often have been a bit too top weighted with their sound, although their attachement system is very flexible and they can be used on a more wider range of instruments easier than the e604's.

 

however the e604's are a lot more rugged and durable than the little betas, which is always a nice thing when you dont know the ability and skill of the guy playing the drums :(

 

has any one used the more upmarket e609's - if so what do you think?

[bruce]

Notice the amount of beer! - is that T for Tetley's.

 

That's Tennents... as in "T in the Park..."

[steve_zabba]

Notice the amount of beer! - is that T for Tetley's.

 

I find that some of these magic cans can improve the sound immeasurably :(

[paulears]

What plastic bits need tape to stop them rattling?

[charlyfarly]

What plastic bits need tape to stop them rattling?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think Mr Si is referring to the part of the grille on the SM57. Taping it up may change how the diaphragm works as it needs to 'breathe', would probably change it's response. The plastic bit turns anyway, doesn't mean it's loose, it's fixed on the mic with a circlip.

[david.elsbury]

Can't say I've ever had a problem with my 57's rattling... :(

[london sound]

Taping around the capsule will change the characteristics of the mic from cardiod to omni, which in a studio may not be a problem, if you are bothered by the loose head a small dab of superglue may help (being a brittle adhesive easy to break later if needs be).

In a live enviroment an omni mic may cause a lot of problems, feedback and pick up of other instruments for instance.

 

 

 

Ian

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ian

[david.elsbury]

if you are bothered by the loose head a small dab of superglue may help (being a brittle adhesive easy to break later if needs be). 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or you could use hot-melt glue (do you have that in the UK?) as used for crafts. It peels off fairly easily when set.

[dominicgross]

I really recommend the Audix mikes over AKG and shure for a real 'rock' drum sound, not too bad in the studio either as long as you have decent overheads to get the full frequency range.

 

If the drummer complains that the Audix are too big, point out that they're not too big for Travis Barker or David Grohl...

[Mr.Si]

What plastic bits need tape to stop them rattling?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think Mr Si is referring to the part of the grille on the SM57. Taping it up may change how the diaphragm works as it needs to 'breathe', would probably change it's response. The plastic bit turns anyway, doesn't mean it's loose, it's fixed on the mic with a circlip.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Can't say I've ever had a problem with my 57's rattling... :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Ah well, I must have sharper ears! ;) :D

 

no not really! only joking.

 

I was aware of an old friend having the same problem with his 57's in the studio and used electrical tape around them to stop it happening. - Yes, to a certain extent, they will become more omni, as there is a reduction in the "Pressure Gradient" characteristics of the mic, but I wouldn't do it in a live situation anyway.

 

As the tom's were resonating after being struck, there was a little rattle of those plastic bits covering the grille, and this annoys me - but then, it was audible to me, and was an unawanted noise, so I shall use the tape, but I might just use a thin strip to keep it from doing the unwanted.

 

 

Yes David, we do have glue guns over here - I love them - it's a great feeling peeling off the excess dried glue from stuff, just like at school when was in primary school - peeling the PVA off the glue spreaders :)

[J Pearce]

Dare I quote another topic regarding how to mic a kit regarding the above post about using no overheads?

 

Speaking as a drummer, cymbals are more important than toms, they get played more often, it might be worth using overheads to pick up cymbals and toms, instead of close miking just the toms.

 

If you do mike the toms mike them all, it creates an unbalanced sound otherwise.

I have had reasonable success with sharing a mike between two toms before, if that would help.

 

My opinion, if it helps.

[Mr.Si]

I completely agree - Mic up all tom toms - esp in a recording situation!

 

In live, in small venues, I take the view even though I like to use overheads that because of the Phons curve (equal loudness curve) the majority of the frequency content of cymbals are at the range most audible to the human ear, and they definitely come across!

 

Otherwise in larger venues, I mic them up as I have enough channels.

 

While the drummer or other musician is gonna be most concerned about the capture of their own instrument, we sound men should consider the whole mix and decide what is most appropriate to the situation.

 

However, this issue has been discussed elsewhere and so I reckon we should not go :)

 

Ta, Si

 

 

P.S. we were having fun trying to get the toms to sound nice last night (the recording of an EP I'm currently doing) - there can be some very dominant resonances which get annoying, which re-iterates to me that one has to always get it right at the source as far as sound is concerned. - we could use the "Best" mics we can, but if the source is bad, then it will still be a problem.