How are hats being worn this season?

[alexdingley]

Trying to get a better capture on my hi hats ??I've tried a cheap LDC (AKG perception 420 - with filter & pad engaged) but it sounds like I'm getting too much air in the capsule... I've tried moving it away & angled out... but I'm not getting a usable sound that helps the overheads very much.

Back in the days when I recorded full time, I remembering have 451s and KM84s... I also remember someone using a TLM170 in figure 8... where the lobes were aiming UP and down / capsule parallel with the cymbals of the hats.

Anyway... looking for any suggestions on what mic to hunt for used / what kinda mic to make do with in the meantime.

[drumsound]

Dynamic mics!!!!!!

Every time I tried micing the hat with a condenser I feels like an icepick to my eardrum. A dynamic, on the other hand, can work quite well. I've been having great results with a Beyer M201 lately.

[A.David.MacKinnon]

SM7

[kslight]

I dunno I don't feel like I gain much by miking it at all to be honest. Usually enough hi hat bs in the overheads and such don't ever use it when I have it. Maybe other drummers have quiet hats and delicate stick technique though?

[Nick Sevilla]

I've been using, when needed, a Shure SM81, with both the max highpass filter, and the highest pad on the mic.

I find it helps in a mix, when I can just creep up this one mic when the hi hat starts to lose definition in a denser mix, of when a trio gets really busy playing lost of notes.

[joninc]

years ago i got to do a session is a great old studio in vancouver and the assistant pulled out a little pencil condenser which we used on hi hat and it sounded GREAT. Smooth and not trashy like so many others. Then for 1 song the drummer had 2 snares going (one for verse and the other for the chorus) - the assistant moved the hihat mic
to the snare. WOW great snare tone too! and not clipping or anything.

i made note of the mic model and watched ebay for a few years until 1 popped up - i use it on hihat all the time and it rules.

Beyer 703.

[mn412]

I also really like the sm7 on hats. 441 is also great. Problem is I only have one of each and I usually want to use them elsewhere. Have tried my fatheads there lately and really like them there. Also m160s can be great.

[RoyMatthews]

The rule is if I record the hi-hat I won't need it. If I don't record it I'll wish I did. Regardless of mic. But I can never say that I've been happy with any recording I've done of hi-hats. No matter which mic I've used.

[cgarges]

AKG 451E with the pad and hi-pass filter. That or an AT 4051. Usually pointed straight down towards the hi hat, opposite the snare drum side, but a little out form the edge, where it's actually pointed at the ground. Still often have to roll off a good bit of the bottom end. Then, check the snare drum sound while flipping the polarity switch. Then, just BARELY sneak it up in the mix. On the rare occasions I mic hi hats, that's what I usually do. On occasion, I'll use some kind of weird dynamic-- usually something with a 1/4" plug-- Akai DM11 or Ampex 1101. If snare bleed is an issue, I'll put a music stand over the top of the hi hat and mic the hat from the back side of the music stand. But I almost ALWAYS need to drop out the bottom end with EQ.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC