Using the 5KIT
6
Microphone Placement and Tone Quality
When you position your mics on the drums, it will be easy to get a great sound
since, in general, they are positioned so close to the sound source. You can make
slight adjustments to the height and angle that will have an effect on the sound.
The changes in sound may be difficult to notice at first, especially in live sound
applications, however the more you use your microphones and listen to the sound,
the more you will understand, and hear, the effect the microphone placement has
on the sound. As always, experimentation and experience are the best teachers.
Obviously, in live sound applications you can’t always hear the final results of the
sound you’re getting because most of the time your drum kit will be positioned
behind the PA speakers, so rely on a band mate or sound engineer to help you dial
up the sound. In recording applications, print some scratch tracks and check the
sound by listening to your headphones and to the control room monitors.
By the way, the “Golden Rule” of getting a great sound miking any instrument, with any micro-
phone, is to start with a great sounding instrument. Be sure that you pay careful attention to
the tuning, and if necessary, the dampening of your drums. Miking your drums is similar to
putting the sound under a microscope. Any unwanted buzzes and rattles coming from your
instruments may be much more noticeable when you mic the kit.
You’ll get a great sound just by positioning the mics close to your drums however,
there are some basic principles and fundamentals that should be followed. (If not,
at least understood.)
•
The 5KIT drum microphones have cardioid pick up patterns, which means they
pick up sound directly in front of the microphone, and reject the sound behind
the microphone. This means in order to get the best separation between the
drum you want to pick up in a particular mic and the ambient sound around it,
let’s say your cymbals or other drums, you can aim the mic so that it is facing
away from the cymbals or other drums. As with any drum miking situation,
you’ll have to make some compromises with the ultimate position for sound
and interface to your playing style.
For more information on polar patterns, see the section Polar Pattern on page 9 of this
manual.
•
All microphones, especially uni-directional or cardioid microphones, exhibit a
phenomenon known as “proximity effect.” Very simply put, proximity effect is a
resulting change in the frequency response of a microphone based on the
position of the mic capsule relative to the sound source. Due to the result of
the proximity effect, slight adjustments of the microphone position and angle
can make a big difference in sound. Specifically, when you point a cardioid
mic directly at the sound source (on axis) you will get the best frequency
response, however when you start pointing the microphone slightly away (off
axis) you will notice the low frequency response dropping off and the micro-
phone will start to sound thinner. Knowing that the bass will decrease as you
change the mic angle can be a big help if you are getting a “boomy” sound
from your drum.
