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R/E/P => R/E/P Archives => Whatever Works => Topic started by: Len on February 17, 2011, 07:59:37 AM

Title: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: Len on February 17, 2011, 07:59:37 AM
I can hardly hear them. I am so used to hearing modern pop-rock CDs with loud,aggressive high end in the drums/percussion that I was pretty shocked when I heard this CD.  It's like the drum kit came without HH and cymbals.

The OH/Hi-Hats appear to be mixed very low, and without pushing the highs.  

A refreshing change that allows the vox/lyrics to come out more.

And a Grammy for best engineering to top it off.

Pity I'm not otherwise a fan of JM! Razz

Len
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: bigbone on February 17, 2011, 11:19:58 PM

Get Steve Jordan as your drummer if you want that kind of performance.
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: Geoff Emerick de Fake on February 18, 2011, 07:58:45 AM
I had a revelation the day I went to a gig, the drummer was late so someone sat in but he had no cymbals whatsoever. I just loved that.
We have a producer here who very often says to the drummer: no cymbals. One day a drummer came with his cymbals and said: i just feel more comfortable having them installed, although I won't use them. The producer agreed, but finally scrapped the take and hired another drummer.
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: Len on February 18, 2011, 11:47:05 AM
The odd thing is that it's not Mr Jordan's playing, but rather the mixing.  He clearly uses cymbals and HHs, but for some reason they are mixed really really low.

And I like it!
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: Jason Poff on February 18, 2011, 03:17:51 PM
Or Steve could have hit them softer.

I know... what a silly concept.
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: bigbone on February 18, 2011, 08:29:10 PM
Len wrote on Fri, 18 February 2011 11:47

The odd thing is that it's not Mr Jordan's playing, but rather the mixing.  He clearly uses cymbals and HHs, but for some reason they are mixed really really low.

And I like it!


Steve Jordan tone and playing has everything to do with it, the mix is only a small part of it, the playing is first.
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: Extreme Mixing on February 19, 2011, 12:18:20 AM
I'm pretty sure that Steve Jordan produced the record too, so if they're mixed low, it's what Steve wanted.

Steve

Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: David Barton on February 19, 2011, 02:52:51 AM
they're mixed low, he might not have laid into them quite like a lot guys do, and he plays GIANT cymbals, so they have a lower pitch to them, which I think contributes to the effect. I enjoy it. really wish i had 400-500 bucks to blow on a couple of 17" thin crashes to use as hi-hats!
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: bigbone on February 19, 2011, 10:10:28 AM

I saw Steve Jordan Cymbal set-up and they are custom for him, you can't buy them.......
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: bigbone on February 19, 2011, 10:12:13 AM
Extreme Mixing wrote on Sat, 19 February 2011 00:18

I'm pretty sure that Steve Jordan produced the record too, so if they're mixed low, it's what Steve wanted.

Steve





Agree, but his playing is what the song need.
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: bigbone on February 19, 2011, 10:13:43 AM
David Barton wrote on Sat, 19 February 2011 02:52

they're mixed low, he might not have laid into them quite like a lot guys do, and he plays GIANT cymbals, so they have a lower pitch to them, which I think contributes to the effect. I enjoy it. really wish i had 400-500 bucks to blow on a couple of 17" thin crashes to use as hi-hats!



I use some 16 '' Zildjian and they are at par, i love them.
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: Waltz Mastering on February 19, 2011, 06:58:24 PM
Room sound and  distant micing?
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: David Barton on February 20, 2011, 12:40:49 AM
bigbone wrote on Sat, 19 February 2011 09:13

I use some 16 '' Zildjian and they are at par, i love them.


yeah, man. he used to play some paiste 17" thin crashes. I wonder what is so different that he wanted custom cymbals now...
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: theo mack on March 01, 2011, 05:24:49 PM
BINGO!!

We have a winner!


"Or Steve could have hit them softer.

I know... what a silly concept."
Title: Re: OH/Hi-Hats on John Mayer's Battle Studies
Post by: Fletcher on March 04, 2011, 11:38:26 AM
BTW - you might want to go to http://repforums.prosoundweb.com [the "new and improved" R/E/P forums] and ask Mr. Brauer [one of the new moderators for "Whatever Works"] about this... after all he did win a Grammy