The DijonStock Digital Home Recording Support Forum

Hi O rabbis of recording,

I want to know if you have had any particular mic pre work well with a 57 on a snare.

I currently have an Aphex 207D, Bluetube 2 channel, Focusrite Trackmaster Pro and Vocal master (or something like that). I am willing to sink up to $500 into another one (preferrably 2 channel).

I would also like to get one that will liven up my kick drum and toms which are being triggered by an Alesis DM5.

Oh, my set up is 2 Rode NT5's as overheads thru the Aphex. That sounds really great to me. I used the Focusrite Trackmaster on my snare, but I wasn't totally satisfied--it may be user error.

Any suggestions on another pre to help with the snare and bass drum, or should I reconfigure my existing setup?

Thanks O swamis of the studio.

Jeff Spencer
Tupelo, MS

Welcome Jeff from the land of Elvis' birth. There are others that will have better advice on the drum thing but I just wanted to say hi.

Hi Jeff,

I have a Vintech Dual 72 that I use on kick and snare.

The pre is killer with a 57 on a snare or on a guitar cabinet.

Not so hot on acoustic guitar or vocals because it is kinda dark.

Gary

That Focusrite Trackmaster is a fine preamp. Primarily a vocalist channel strip , I don't see why it would'nt be a fine companion with an SM-57 on snare, With the mid scoop EQ and opto-compressor you outa have killer snare sounds outa it. Mic olacement and fiddleing with the before mentioned features outa work just fine, I wouldn.t give up on the Focusrite Trackmaster Pro quite yet,
msg

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THE MUSIC IS DOWN IN HERE
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Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

Don't stare yourself blind on preamps. I record drums with sm57/58 without external preamps. Sounds great.

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Don't judge the coffee by its cup.
The proof of the cheese is in the eating

I agree Robbie. Good advice.

Other than reduced noise (compared to using the G's pre's) and some subtle nuances I believe the following are much more important to drum sounds:

1) Skill and studio savvy of the drummer. Must know how to play depending on different mic set ups.

2) Quality and tuning of drum kit.

3) The room

4) Mics and mic positioning.

5) Gain staging. Give yourself plenty of headroom.

6) Understanding how to apply EQ and compression to get the sounds you want for the genre.

7) Understanding what part of the kit or mix you want to highlight (production skills). Do you want the kick drum to be dominant or the bass guitar? Since they share much of the same sonic space, decisions need to be made in the mix process. Do you want a "big" snare or "big" kick. If you try to make both "BIG" in your mix, neither will be "BIG".

I enjoy recording and mixing drums the best.....kinda strange since I am a guitar player.

Gary

not so strange ... i enjoy hearing good drum mixes too.

then ya got someone like butch vigg who is a drummer who makes great mixes...

good room is real important.
even when close micing you can pick up bad room reflection.

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"Let there be bass." - Leo Fender

True that dude! A bad room can impart a shroud of sh*t over the recording.

My upstairs game room has a horrible sound. Thick carpet pad below a thick carpet, squarish room, glass french doors....My downstairs den sounds great....octagonal shape, hard wood floors 9 ft ceilings. Huge difference when I record an acoustic guitar.

My next project for recording is portable bass traps. I have the frames made, now I need to buy the rock wool, fabric and plywood.

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Don't judge the coffee by its cup.
The proof of the cheese is in the eating

Unfamiliar term? Shall I explain?

The term is familiar. Its existance isn't.

What's next - the laundry room? The cheese room?

Next thing you know is you're going to tell me you have a separate dining room.


oh wow...

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Don't judge the coffee by its cup.
The proof of the cheese is in the eating

No cheese room, but we do have a Barbeque room. Since Texans only eat Barbequed beef.....we have a special room for it.

Please, Bartman, adopt me.

I'll bring the cheese.

It would be sooo cool to have younger sister that I can spoil.





"Dad"?

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Don't judge the coffee by its cup.
The proof of the cheese is in the eating

No

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Don't judge the coffee by its cup.
The proof of the cheese is in the eating

I will take you in as a foster child. If that works, we'll consider adoption.

I need to be sure I can afford to feed you!

Don't worry. As long as the Atlantic is there, you're safe!

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Don't judge the coffee by its cup.
The proof of the cheese is in the eating

Too bad about that ocean, Robbie. I was just going to mention that young Dylan just got a new Lego set and we still have a grocery store across the street, not to mention at least 50 restaurants within five miles of us.

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My music: https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=1215402&content=songs

Yet another rich thread gone to food.

Hmmm lesseeee here..............

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THE MUSIC IS DOWN IN HERE
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Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

OW MAAAAN!!!



Gone to even richer.

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Don't judge the coffee by its cup.
The proof of the cheese is in the eating