Please point me to the MEGA bass drum mic thread(s)
- Thread starter LouHela
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alparrott
Diamond Member
The bass drum setup is probably more important than the microphone. What I hear in this track is a very earthy, open bass drum - tuned open, little to no muffling and possibly with no holes in the reso head. You will want a felt or fuzzy beater played at moderate volume (no heel up slamming required). Heads are probably coated Ambassadors or Emperors front and back.
From there, you have a bunch of options. Most bass drum mics will work fine for this, or any microphone that is rated to take high SPLs would sound great for gathering that sound off the front head. We have a thread discussing that; I would also direct you to the Sounds Like a Drum video on micing unported bass drums.
On the board, roll off the highs and moderate the mids (to eliminate what's left of the impact thwack) and give the lows a slight boost. This should give you a low, boomy presence in the mix. Adjust from there.
From there, you have a bunch of options. Most bass drum mics will work fine for this, or any microphone that is rated to take high SPLs would sound great for gathering that sound off the front head. We have a thread discussing that; I would also direct you to the Sounds Like a Drum video on micing unported bass drums.
On the board, roll off the highs and moderate the mids (to eliminate what's left of the impact thwack) and give the lows a slight boost. This should give you a low, boomy presence in the mix. Adjust from there.
jda
Diamond Member
Neil Young News: HARVEST Outtakes by Neil Young: "Journey Through The Past"
jda
Diamond Member
"Thematically the album explores issues close to Young’s heart, and with a vibrant live feel, it is both honest and refined, and all-together intoxicatingly immersive. Let’s take a look at how it was recorded."
happymag.tv
"Drummond’s bass was DI’d and Keith’s slide guitar was also captured by the Neumann U87. Due to close proximity and subsequent bleed, Young’s mics had to be considered as part of the drum sound during the session."
"However, the presence of the room was essential to the album’s live feel – a key reason these Quadrophonic recordings sound so immersive. Similar techniques became essential in the later barn recordings."
" The same mic was used on Teddy Irwin’s guitars, and as an overhead on Buttrey’s drums. The distinctive thumping kick used throughout the album was formed by removing the drum’s front head and heavily muffling it with a pillow, held in place intuitively with duct-tape. A Shure SM56 was used for the snare, and the hi-hats an AKG 224E."
and more in that article +/-...
Engineering the Sound: Neil Young's 'Harvest'
Honest, raw and refined, Neil Young's emotive fourth studio album, Harvest, was a fresh take on country-rock and to this day remains a classic.
happymag.tv
"However, the presence of the room was essential to the album’s live feel – a key reason these Quadrophonic recordings sound so immersive. Similar techniques became essential in the later barn recordings."
" The same mic was used on Teddy Irwin’s guitars, and as an overhead on Buttrey’s drums. The distinctive thumping kick used throughout the album was formed by removing the drum’s front head and heavily muffling it with a pillow, held in place intuitively with duct-tape. A Shure SM56 was used for the snare, and the hi-hats an AKG 224E."
and more in that article +/-...
Last edited:
green glass drum
Silver Member
And don't forget......the moleskin.
"answer> yEs>
alparrott
Diamond Member
Welp, that'll teach me to try to listen to a bass drum sound before I've finished my first cup of coffee ever again ..."Thematically the album explores issues close to Young’s heart, and with a vibrant live feel, it is both honest and refined, and all-together intoxicatingly immersive. Let’s take a look at how it was recorded."
"Drummond’s bass was DI’d and Keith’s slide guitar was also captured by the Neumann U87. Due to close proximity and subsequent bleed, Young’s mics had to be considered as part of the drum sound during the session."Engineering the Sound: Neil Young's 'Harvest'
Honest, raw and refined, Neil Young's emotive fourth studio album, Harvest, was a fresh take on country-rock and to this day remains a classic.
"However, the presence of the room was essential to the album’s live feel – a key reason these Quadrophonic recordings sound so immersive. Similar techniques became essential in the later barn recordings."
" The same mic was used on Teddy Irwin’s guitars, and as an overhead on Buttrey’s drums. The distinctive thumping kick used throughout the album was formed by removing the drum’s front head and heavily muffling it with a pillow, held in place intuitively with duct-tape. A Shure SM56 was used for the snare, and the hi-hats an AKG 224E."
and more in that article +/-...
