Glyn Johns Method Overheads

[goldanimals]

I just came across some money and I'm looking to buy some mics for recording drums using the Glyn Johns Method. Right now I have a 57 for snare and a cheap Samson bass drum mic. I'm sure the 57 will work for snare, but I have a strong feeling the Samson should be replaced. I'm thinking about ribbons for overheads? I have about $1000 to spend on mics. Does anyone have any recomendations? I'm looking for an open Ryan Adams Gold sound like Ethan gets, but without using the million dollar budget and vintage gear.

[telepathy]

Coles 4038.


it'll change your life.


edit: though you may have to look around to find a used one for $1k.

[Cojonesonasteek]

Buy a pair of the best large diameter condenser mics your budget allows ($500 each) and use either of your other two mics on bass drum (the 57 will work just fine). You can then use them in other applications (voice, guitars, etc.) as well as on drums. Beware of overly-bright mics as they will make your cymbals sound like crap.

[goldanimals]

Thanks for the advice.

So you recommend LDC's over ribbons?
I have one Rode NT1A that was fairly cheap.

What LDC's do you suggest in the $500 range?

[Cojonesonasteek]

Nothing against ribbons but if you're just starting to build a mic collection, I think you will find a pair of multipattern condensers (like the AKG 414, Audio Technica 4050, and lots of Chinese-made brands I've never tried) more useful on a wide range of sources. Most ribbons are figure eight pattern (a few like the Beyer M160 are hypercardioid) and since that picks up sources on both sides of the mic it may not be what you need in most situations. Do a search for "affordable LDC" on gearslutz.com and see what people are using.

[Cojonesonasteek]

Oh, look here, too:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index. ... msg_212418

[aaronburr]

from what i understand, the real secret to this method is having a decent room (because youll get a good deal of room in the overheads, which make up a bulk of the sound), a decent drummer (because there is not a whole lot of level manipulation you can do later), and a decent drumset. then mics and preamps. of course this is a devils advocate kind of answer, though...

[mjau]

What LDC's do you suggest in the $500 range?

I'd go with a pair of Shiny Box ribbons with Lundahl trannies, but as someone else mentioned, if your space sounds like shit (i.e., sounds like a bedroom, basement, or attic), then you're gonna have a bitch of a time getting a decent drum sound with that particular method.

[themagicmanmdt]

guys!

don't forget what the professor said about fig 8's and room sound (to my post, actually):

http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopic.php?t=40570

they're very close, but fig 8's actually get less of the room!

[RoyMatthews]

guys!

don't forget what the professor said about fig 8's and room sound (to my post, actually):

http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopic.php?t=40570

they're very close, but fig 8's actually get less of the room!

Actually, I think fig-8s and cardioids have the same distance factor (about 1.7).

But the thing is with OHs the rear lobe might be pointing to the ceiling. If you have a low ceiling and/or no absorption the reflections may be picked up more on the fig-8 as opposed to a cardioid. With the GJ method it won't be a problem with the floor tom side mic (at least not with the ceiling maybe a wall) but might be with the over snr mic.

[goldanimals]

Thanks so far for all the advice.

I have the option to track drums in either my bedroom, a basement room, or a massive barn/garage with insanely high ceilings and barely any insulation.

So basically, an LDC would do better for capturing less of the room/barn with the Glyn John's method? I really wanna go GJ with this because Ethan's drum sounds are exactly what I want. I know I don't have the money or the inheritance that he was born with, but I want to strive for that sound. I hate overly compressed pieced together drum sounds like everything on the radio these days. Kills me.

[RoyMatthews]

If you're really trying to mimic Ethan Johns I know he used Coles ribbons for OHs. So I suppose for the money I'd try the Shinybox ribbons with the upgraded transformer. I'd also consider a pair of Beyer m160s. They're ribbons but they're hypercardioid. See if you can get the mics from a place that you can return them to. Though I know Shinybox only sells the mics themselves. I don't know their policy.

[goldanimals]

Ok so I'm looking at the Shinybox ribbons with Lundahl transformers. Should I go with with matched pair at $900 or just get two seperate ones for $400 each. I vaguely am aware of the advantages of having a matched pair for drum overheads.

And does anyone else recommend the Shinybox ribbons for Glyn Johns method overheads?

Thanks

[Liv Pooleside]

I'll have to google the technique, but as for choice of rooms, I would go with the barn, hands down. Small rooms give you so much short delay, it really colors the sound. Can be good, but it's a crap shoot. A big room with plaster walls is death, but a big room with irregular wooden walls and a peaked ceiling sounds like magic to me.

[aaronburr]

ummm. a couple ribbons in a barn would be seriously awesome.
if i were you i would put an ambient mic way up in the rafters, too! i wish i had a barn to record in, sigh.