PorkPieGuy
Platinum Member
Do mellow kits mic up better than more "lively" drum sets?
Depends on the situation and your goal. Are you talking about a live concert or recording studio? Different kits, different mics, and different miking techniques achieve different results, and what sound you’re after is what matters. Do you want a sound that will cut through a band for a festival crowd? Go with a lively kit with un coated heads and close-miking with dynamic mics. Are you looking for an ambient and warm sound for a recording? A “mellow” kit, tuned to the recording space with some well-placed large diaphragm condensers will get you there.
Given that you’re playing mostly country, I don’t think the Tom sound matters much. For that matter, I don’t think it matters much, period. And I say that as someone who was obsessed with Tom sound for years. Lol
I don't know about ' better ' , but easier , yes . More for effect than pitch specificity . Experienced barroom sound techs have a prety good understanding of heads that'll work too , usually clear pinstripes , occasionally hydraulics .
Though I believe technology should serve the musician and not the other way around, sometimes it's un avoidable .
No.Do mellow kits mic up better than more "lively" drum sets?
I'm not sure I'd trust this answer from someone who is called "thebigbeat". LOL
@PorkPieGuy, I am pretty sure Remo Diplomats are a rather thin single ply head. Maybe it's the double ply Emperor clears you are thinking about trying?I love using all kinds of heads, but my favorite is Remo Ambassador coated on both toms and snare. My 3-ply kit doesn't have as much sustain as my modern Ludwig CM's. It's like the note gets in and out quickly, and microphones love them. My CM's sound great under mics as well, but I have to treat them with Snareweights in order to get rid of some of the ring. I'm gonna try using Remo Diplomat Clears on the tom heads this time. I like the initial snap of a clear head and bottom end that double-ply heads give. Being a double-ply head, I'm hoping they will be a little easier to harness (and tune). I played a set of Renowns a few weeks ago with these heads that sounded fantastic. I'm also replacing the factory heads from the bottoms of the Ludwig CM's for the first time as well. It should sound like a brand new kit!
No. I the hands of a good audio engineer any properly tuned kit will sound great.Do mellow kits mic up better than more "lively" drum sets?
I’ve worked with FOH guys who’ve told me I needed to shorten the sustain on my drums. No big deal, but it would be nice to have the perfect decay without any dampeners.My 3-ply kit doesn't have as much sustain as my modern Ludwig CM's. It's like the note gets in and out quickly, and microphones love them. My CM's sound great under mics as well, but I have to treat them with Snareweights in order to get rid of some of the ring.
Relating to sustain duration, it depends on the situation, but there’s no substitute for well prepared drums.I’ve worked with FOH guys who’ve told me I needed to shorten the sustain on my drums. No big deal, but it would be nice to have the perfect decay without any dampeners.
@PorkPieGuy, I am pretty sure Remo Diplomats are a rather thin single ply head. Maybe it's the double ply Emperor clears you are thinking about trying?
Sounds good! I am about to get all new heads on my new-to-me Tama kit. It has Tama branded Evans G2s on top and G1s on bottom but I have no idea how old they are and they aren't doing it for me. I will swing by 2112 soon and grab a pack of clear Emperors for the batters and clear Ambassadors for the resos. Then it's a matter of experimentation and trying to avoid getting sucked into the one billion drum tuning videos on YouTube.My 3-ply kit I'm using G1 coated heads, and on my modern CM's, I'm gonna try out Emperor clears on the batters. I'm also replacing all of the resos. I'm hoping that replacing the resos will help with tuning.
Sounds good! I am about to get all new heads on my new-to-me Tama kit. It has Tama branded Evans G2s on top and G1s on bottom but I have no idea how old they are and they aren't doing it for me. I will swing by 2112 soon and grab a pack of clear Emperors for the batters and clear Ambassadors for the resos. Then it's a matter of experimentation and trying to avoid getting sucked into the one billion drum tuning videos on YouTube.