From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Miking the bass drum with a front head

Miking the bass drum with a front head

From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Miking the bass drum with a front head

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Many drummers need to feel the tension that the front head provides in order to play well. If that's the case, you can still get a great drum sound as evidenced by the giant drum sounds that John Bonham got in all of those late Zeppelin records. Here's how to do it. Place the mic on a short stand 4 to 6 inches away from the head, halfway up the drum and slightly off-center. (music playing) If you want more low-end, move the mic about 6 inches further back from the head. (music playing) If you want more definition, aim the mic more towards where the beater is hitting. Be aware that when you place the mic this closely to the head, it may pick up some unwanted overtones. Place it where you have the best combination of low-end and definition. (music playing) That's how you get the sound of a kick drum with the front head. Place the mic in a short stand 4 to 6 inches away from the head, halfway up, and slightly off-center, and move it up and down and backwards and forwards a bit, until the…

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