Recording Drums 5 - Overdriving / Distorting Mics for Clarity & Power!

www.shrunkenheadsstudios.com

Recording Drums, Percussion - & Dealing with People Who Like to Hit Things 5

Here at The Coolest Recording Studio in London Town - we got a thing for alchemy - cause that's what music production is all about - you get a bunch of musicians - place them into an environment conducive to creativity - let 'em get the feel - then hit the Big Red Record button & listen out for the magic takes. 
That's just the beginning - once you have all that recorded material edited & knocked into shape - it's funtime - & this is where Mixing begins. 
However - when you're trying to construct a piece of art - it's always good to have different flavours, textures & options to experiment with - so - here's how we use distortion to capture some pretty mean, savage & beautiful drum energy.

1. Using Distortion / Overdrive Pedals

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Mic Preamp Distortion



Place the mic facing the drumkit approx 3-6 feet away from the top of the kick drum. Run the mic into a mic preamp - then run the mic preamp (keep the output low so it doesn't break the pedal) into a distortion pedal - like the Boss Metalzone - this pedal has a ton of cool overdrive - but also has a superb mid scoop eq - so you should be able to find your sweet spot real easy. Turn the level & Dist knobs full left - leave the eq centred for now - put the level slowly up to 12 o'clock to get your level as the drummer plays - then start turning up the distortion - don't be shy. Then ! start taking out mid frequencies to clear up the mud - don't add too much treble or bass - unless it sounds right. 
It may sound crap by itsself - but mix that audio in with regular mics - & boom! You gonna get you some Mo' Juicy drum audio!!

If You Want It Killer 

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Mic Preamp FUZZ

Same setup applies here - just use your fave fuzz pedal instead of the Metalzone pedal. It will be Much more scary & outta control - but shit! Push the boat out kidz - just try something new. You'll need to pull out the mids with this in the mix - but it's always worth it - you'll getchaself some Very cool loops if nothing else. 

2. Using Mixing Desks & / Or Preamps 

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Alice 828 Mixer
A lot of older Mixing Desks are transformer fronted - meaning they use Transformers to boost the microphone levels as opposed to transistors or microchips. 
These transformers add weight & colour to the audio passing through them - but! they can also be used to add harmonicaly rich distortion - which is what we want to make our audio sound sweet & interesting. Modern recording equipment can sound bland & boring - because most modern electronics are just that.... bland & boring. Here at SHS - we got a whole Plethora of transformer fronted microphone preamps & mixers - we make that audio Sing!!! 
Just turn up the gain til it all starts shining - eq to taste - & you're good to go. 

 Next time - Percussion!

You can see the studio Here:
www.shrunkenheadsstudios.com

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