If you have not recorded them yet, try the following :permanent hearing damage wrote:i frequently get these guys in the studio. drummers with huge cymbals - multiple 20", 22" and 24" cymbals all around. i realize this kinda comes with the territory with sludgy hardcore bands sometimes. i frequently tell the drummers to back off the cymbals - being a drummer myself, i can empathize with wanting to bash the hell out of them.
anyway, i normally make do, but i have a band coming in this weekend with not one but two such drummers.
they are a good band and i'm excited to work with them. but everytime i have seen them live, it's just a wash of cymbals.
any ideas? tape can only do so much, no?
i have some ribbon mics i can use for overheads, but they can only help so much and i usually use condensers on the toms. hell, i may not even use the overheads in that case.
ONE OMNI MIC IN THE ROOM. Chest height, about 4-6 feet away from the drummers, and as close to the center of the room as possible.
Place it far enough away from the drummers so that it does not distort at all.
Then have them play one song all the way through (if they can).
Then have them listen to the results.
Then you have two options :
A.- They love the sound. Continue as usual, even if it goes contrary to whatever recording mantra you believe in.
B. They don't like the sound. THEN, and ONLY THEN, do you start making suggestions as to how to make their playing different FOR THE RECORDING. Now you may coach them in their weak spots. Don't forget to keep it positive, and extol their strong points too.
Cheers