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Author Topic: Recording Toms to Digital  (Read 2679 times)

slicraider

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Recording Toms to Digital
« on: June 08, 2004, 11:00:02 PM »

I just tracked a project to PT HD3 with out first hitting tape. I was pretty happy with the drum sounds except I missed the tape compression I usually like on the toms after making the pins bang on a Studer.

What are some of you doing differently to toms when going stright to digital versus 2" analog?

PS: I used 87s through 1073s to PT. I tried a fast compressor but I didn't like the result and I had to track seven tunes in 2 days after only 2 rehearsals. So....


Rick Slater

NYC
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mike.x

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2004, 04:26:32 PM »

Hi Rick

I've gone from 12 years of Analog to the last year or so moving to Digital.  I guess the thing that's hit me is keeping levels down in 24 bit (you have s**t loads of headroom - a VU or Dorroughs Loudness meter is really useful) and choosing Mics that sound good.  87s to 2" were OK because 2" took off the edges - Digital just seems to capture what's fed in(  - OK INSERT CRITIQUES AND FLAMES HERE !!! Wink.

Some fine folks here may be able to suggest some ideas and alternatives.  I, for one, like the Sennheiser 604s through cheap Focusrite (Octopre with compressors on) and it does the job for rock drums.  I'm sure I'll get flamed as much as agreed with, but I don't care...... the bands are digging the overall end result.

I've really been trying to concentrate on Overheads through great pres and compressors as my MAIN sound - then letting the spot mics do their piece where necessary.

I think you may just need to try some stuff and hear it for yourself.  It's a really different environment in digital and it does take some work - BUT it can be worth it.

Hope this vague relpy is useful

All the best

Mike
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Mike Exeter

Alécio Costa - Brazil

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A smaller budget guy here but here it goes
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2004, 04:38:26 PM »

I have been achieving nice results mikng toms with the forbidden "chinese" (?) mics:
C3000Bs,GT55. Sebatron VMP2000Vu as mic pres, dbx 166 as  and at mixdown Vintage Warmer (saturation pusposes) or analog channel + CB2´s.
But the overheads sound is where most of the sound comes.. 2 At4050´s on a nice troom with stones/wood. Rolling Eyes
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Alécio Costa Studio
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slicraider

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Re: A smaller budget guy here but here it goes
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2004, 05:47:28 PM »

Thanks Mike and Alicio for the input. The over heads are actually slamming. I put the drums on a rug but placed wood under the snare and the room is known in LA as a great drum room. The mics were C12s into Neve 1081s to PT HD3. Additionally I miced the room at head level 4 feet out with a u47 into an API 312 and squashed it with an EMI compressor.

Rick
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Alécio Costa - Brazil

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2004, 12:45:29 PM »

your set-up is pretty nice
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Fibes

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2004, 12:47:56 PM »

I miss what tape does to the mids/lowmids of toms too. I've been using hosts of different techniques but haven't found a way to get them to go in the way they used to. On the way out I've been using PSPs mixpressor, occasionally Ruby tube(yep) and even the Waves RenVox. The gate actually works on it in a subtle way if you need it.
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Fibes
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mdbeh

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2004, 05:55:56 PM »

I've been pretty happy using various dynamic mics (421, SM7, e602) into API pre's.  The API's really seem to thicken up the sound in a way that works well with digital.
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Brian Harper
Chicago, IL

slicraider

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2004, 09:36:36 PM »

I've been thinking of going back to dynamics. The LD condensors come out awfully glassy.
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Fibes

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2004, 11:32:44 AM »

slicraider wrote on Thu, 10 June 2004 21:36

I've been thinking of going back to dynamics. The LD condensors come out awfully glassy.

Yeah but then you're brass is going to start sounding honky. it's a slippery slope...
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Fibes
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malice

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2004, 02:47:53 PM »

Since I record in digital, I don't mic them anymore

go figure

malice

Alécio Costa - Brazil

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2004, 09:10:06 PM »

yes, Malice is right. When you stare and think, toms are are already in there!
(sound replace, Reason under the mat)
LOL
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Alécio Costa Studio
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Nathan Eldred

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2004, 02:37:19 AM »

Was your 1073 in 300 ohms?  I notice a significant beneficial difference with most LDC's, on toms in particular, when using a lower impedance on the preamp.  It seems to produce more low frequencies, more [good] distortion, it translates to what I want to hear, where as 1200 ohms doesn't seem to do anywhere near as good a job (more accuracy, less rock and roll).
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Nathan Eldred

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slicraider

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Re: Recording Toms to Digital
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2004, 10:50:06 PM »

It was my first time at this facility which is in LA while I live and work for the most part in NY. It is an interesting point. I will have to look into this next time I use the(1073s).

Rick
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