Room acoustics

[GeertSamuel]

Everytime I record my drums I'm pretty happy with everything except with my cymbals. Allthough I use hi-quality cymbals (Sabian AA/AAX/HHX line) and pretty good overheads (Rode NT-5 stereo) pair. My cymbals always end up pretty washy. I'm really looking for this clear cymbal sound like Andy has on albums "Chimaira/Arch Enemy/Nevermore/Exodus..etc.etc"..

The height of my ceiling is about 2.5 meters. And it's wood. So I started thinking that it might be the reflection from that that comes back down to the mics since it's not a really high ceiling. So might it help to foam parts/or completely to the top of that above the drums?

Or are there any other options?!

Please share with me your knowledge...

 

[unsilpauly]

i hear you dude. the way i get around this in my room is:

1. i put acoustic foam on the ceiling over where the drums go. its widely
known that the acoustic foam works better on high frequencies than low,
so ive found that stuff to be effective for over cymbals to handle a good
amount of the reflections off the ceiling.
2. i close mic the cymbals, a mic for every cymbal if there are enough
mics. if there arent enough mics, then i will use one mic for every two
cymbals.
3. i try to get the drummer to play the cymbals alittle softer if they dont
already.
4. if i need to. ill put baffles around the kit to take out more of the room
sound(my room is on the small side so there is ALOT of room sound in
the overheads sometimes. using baffles can just clear up the sound a bit,
not really deaden it).

with a good drummer and good cymbals, ive been able to get decent cymbal sounds in my room with low ceilings. i hope any off this helps you a bit.

 

[Pman]

how about posting a clip?
i usually get quite a desired cymbal sound with my two overheads
theyre nowhere near any professional sound like andy, but quite what i expect from just two overheads

 

[Seizure.]

Good fast pre's are also mandatory in good overheadsound.

 

[GeertSamuel]

Good fast pre's are also mandatory in good overheadsound.

Bitch...you know my weak point ..
You've got it easy with that Audient

 

[Seizure.]

I most certainly do hehehe.. allthough they mostly shine on toms! overheads are allright to but i love the SPL more on overhead.