Crotch Mic
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- steve albini likes it
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Crotch Mic
I've seen a lot of people make references to this setup. From what I've gathered its a mic right above the kick facing right at the drummers crotch. What does this microphone typically add to the sound of the kit? I think i remember reading somewhere that it's often ultra compressed or distorted. It would be cool if somebody could explain this technique a little bit, I only have a vague understanding of it.
- A.David.MacKinnon
- ears didn't survive the freeze
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AKA the heart mic.
I often use an omni here (EV 635a). It will give you a very present and quite balanced picture of the whole kit. I'll often use a distortion pedal as the pre (usually a Ross or MXR). When I do this I end up just sneaking the crotch mic in under the rest of the drum mix. The result is quite similar to using very aggressive parallel compression on the drum bus. It will reinforce the kit sound and give the kick and snare some extra attack and presence.
It doesn't work as well on cymbal heavy tunes though. It will tend to make cymbals harsh and splashy.
I often use an omni here (EV 635a). It will give you a very present and quite balanced picture of the whole kit. I'll often use a distortion pedal as the pre (usually a Ross or MXR). When I do this I end up just sneaking the crotch mic in under the rest of the drum mix. The result is quite similar to using very aggressive parallel compression on the drum bus. It will reinforce the kit sound and give the kick and snare some extra attack and presence.
It doesn't work as well on cymbal heavy tunes though. It will tend to make cymbals harsh and splashy.
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- zen recordist
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It can really help the BD punch through a mix even when not terribly loud. If it's distorted and hyper compressed (either from the nature of distortion or with an actual compressor) sometimes it can even be the basis of the drum sound with the close mics and OH as the supplement.
Click http://www.myspace.com/wiplot and listen to "Not Much Left" the last song. Most of the drum sound is crotch mic.
Click http://www.myspace.com/wiplot and listen to "Not Much Left" the last song. Most of the drum sound is crotch mic.
I love the crotch mic technique. I've often used a 57 (or other similar mics that I prefer to a 57), placed between the kick and the underside of the snare, pointed at the drummer's crotch.
Compress the heck out of it, add distortion, etc. Experiment with placement, sometimes it's cool to have it also pick up the hihat well, along with kick and snare. Sneak this in underneath the mix, etc etc.
Compress the heck out of it, add distortion, etc. Experiment with placement, sometimes it's cool to have it also pick up the hihat well, along with kick and snare. Sneak this in underneath the mix, etc etc.
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- zen recordist
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- casey campbell
- buyin' a studio
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- zen recordist
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The guys at Reflection in Charlotte have been doing it for years. I don't know whether it was a Don Dixon creation, but it tends to get attributed to him a lot around here. Many NC guys use this technique. I think I first heard about those guys doing it in like 1989. They call it the "butt mic."Scodiddly wrote:Actually yes, and to add humor points it's been attributed to that Albini guy. Put a mic on a short stand right behind the drum stool, run it through the usual crappy compressor.Z-Plane wrote:Fascinating. Is there an ass-miking technique out there as well ?
Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC
There is actually. I like to put a mic (often a 57) behind the throne, between the throne and the tom, pointing perpendicular to the kit.Z-Plane wrote:Fascinating. Is there an ass-miking technique out there as well ?
I once did a live recording and there was a guitar amp miced by the kit for a different band. That mic became the core of the drum sound for the band I was recording. The next time I was in the studio, I set up a 57 in the same position, but facing the kit. It was cool, but ended up sounding way better when I once again turned it away from the kit.
a.
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- A.David.MacKinnon
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