DRUM MIC TIPS: WHAT IS A COCKROACH MIC?

[@silentskystudios]

I discovered a similar technique to this a number of years ago. I was laying down some drums for a song, and when I played everything back, I was like, "whoah, something sounds really cool that I'm not accustomed to hearing". I started looking at the project in my DAW and realized that an SM57 that I had been using for recording a guitar amp had accidentally been left open when I laid down the drum track. This mic was a few feet away, off to the side of the kit (on the floor tom side) and on a short stand--very close to the floor. It picked up a really boomy, bombastic sort of Bonham kit sound that I normally didn't capture. So later I would sometimes try setting up a mic like this on purpose! It can be a nice effect when blended with your close mics, just like you demonstrate in the video.

[@KennySharretts]

Absolutely. It's like capturing what a cockroach would hear it as. LOL! Thx so much for watching.

[@JusticeConstantine]

That lick at 3:04 is so good. I had to watch it at 50% speed to learn it. - Justice Constantine

[@KennySharretts]

Justice Constantine thank you very much. I’ll have to watch it again to see the lick. Thank you so much for the kind words, and for watching.

[@shalaq]

Great tip for a room/ character mic when your room is not the best and you mostly close mic everything.

[@KennySharretts]

EXACTLY!! I hope this vid helped.

[@silentskystudios]

That looks like a new Rogers Dynasonic, and IT SOUNDS AWESOME! Great video!

[@KennySharretts]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Why yes it IS a new Dyna-Sonic, and I'm stoked you like the sound. I absolutely LOVE this snare drum. Thx for watching, and for commenting.

[@Mat1970Thompson]

Hi Kenny! I recently subscribed to your channel and really appreciate your time and all of your tips I've discovered. The old saying "you can learn something new every day really applies to your channel. Your enthusiasm and humor are contagious and much appreciated these days. Your drums and cymbals sound fantastic and I bet you've got some great stories from touring. 😁 I'm slowly getting back into playing after a 4 year hiatus from losing my dad and other setbacks. Your snare wire replacement video backstage at that Train gig is what really got me going to get back on the kit You've inspired me to readjust and position or replace the snare wires on several drums. Thank you so much because I feel like I'm doing this correctly after so many years. I've been so excited that I went a step further and replaced batter and resonant snare heads. Finally, I'd heard that the Ludwig P-86 Millenium Throw-off was so much better than the stock P-85's and I've not been 100% happy with how my modern Ludwig snares sounded, so I replaced the stock P-85 throw-offs on my 2011 6.5" Supraphonic and my 2013 6 .5" Black Beauty. These snares sound SO much better IMO and I think it's due to the P-86 having more adjustability when dialing in the snare wire tension. I'm curious if you or any of our drum friends have replaced the P-85 throw-offs with the P86 and feel the same way? Sorry for all the chattiness, but I don't get a chance to talk to fellow drummers often, especially in the past 6 months. Looking forward to continue to learn from you and our fellow drummers. Peace and love to you and all from Arkansas!

[@KennySharretts]

Mat I just saw this reply, so i’m sorry for the delayed reply. Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙏🙏🙏 The feelings you expressed are exactly the reason I did this channel. I’m humbled by your statement, and inspired by your story. Super stoked my wires tip helped you get the sound you wanted. Thank you for your support of my channel.

[@Mat1970Thompson]

@@KennySharretts No worries whatsoever Kenny! Maybe our paths will cross someday. I’ve been thinking about getting out of Little Rock and maybe checking out Austin and try to get a band together. Take care man!

[@zmanbrody]

I love this guy so much, he should do a podcast and or at least some comedy bits for drummers. "Cockroach mic" is such a funny name

[@KennySharretts]

Zack Brody thank you so much. Yeah when I heard the sound for the first time I realized to the mic that drum was huge. Same as it would be for a cockroach. 🤣🤣🤣 Thx for the kind words, and for watching.

[@JulianFernandez]

you´re full of tricks, Kenny! Loved it. Thanks!

[@KennySharretts]

JulianFernandez thx my friend. I try! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@johnrobinson8323]

Awesome video Kenny! Very helpful as always! 🥁❤

[@KennySharretts]

John Robinson thank you so much for the kind words, and for watching.

[@drumtuneprodrumtuner6249]

Yes!

[@KennySharretts]

I need to hit you back.

[@drumtuneprodrumtuner6249]

@@KennySharretts Indeed. In your own time. Thanks!

[@iandubson2305]

Love this idea! Great stuff Kenny.

[@KennySharretts]

Thank you so much, and thank you for watching.

[@DMSProduktions]

Great drumming & recording sound! \m/

[@KennySharretts]

DMSProduktions wow thank you so much for the kind words. I’m loving the Heil Drum Mic Kit in the studio. Before this session my experiences had been only in live settings.

[@KennySharretts]

DMSProduktions btw thank you for watching

[@DMSProduktions]

@@KennySharretts Yeah well, live is a different beast to the studio!

[@KennySharretts]

DMSProduktions 🤣🤣🤣true that. One of the reasons i’m so impressed with these.

[@DMSProduktions]

@@KennySharretts Good. I have always been a minimalist, and try to wring good sounds out of shit!

[@Assimilator702]

Great tip. I’m thinking this would work great with a bass drum mic like an Audix D6.

[@KennySharretts]

For a deeper toned boom yes indeed. I bet it would make the kick sound even more massive as well. In that case I'd try angles that help compliment the angle of the front BD mics. BTW I like the PR20 or just a 58 because it accentuates some of the highs rolling around down there. Thank you so much for watching, but especially for commenting. Awesome!

[@texiscreen]

That just might be the best mic tip I have heard this year, cheers Kenny :-)

[@KennySharretts]

AWESOOOME! Makes my day to hear that. It's really a cool tool to help augment your drum sound in tight places. Thx for watching. Please share if you wish.

[@garethplaysdrums]

Slamming 👍👍

[@KennySharretts]

Gareth Plays Drums thank you my friend ✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻

[@andyselway712]

Great idea! although i just tried it and it sounded absolutely nothing like this! just gave me a ton of kick attack and a bit of snare snappiness similar to the sound i get from my wurst mic! no added boominess at all :-(

[@KennySharretts]

Oh no! Sometimes it’s a matter of moving the mic around to find the sweet spot.

[@jasonfoster9153]

Grip Peddlers! 🤘🏼

[@KennySharretts]

Jason Foster yes sir!! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@liz4rdg3ck0]

What kind if pedal is that? A SMOOTH dw???

[@KennySharretts]

LOL! It's an old Grip Pedaler. The smooth DW model on my DW 9000. Love it! Thx so much for watching.

[@davidhoustondrums9924]

Je ne sais quoi. Oui oui! 😊

[@KennySharretts]

David Houston Drums keeping culture in drum tuning vids since 2015 Lolol. Hope you are well

[@davidhoustondrums9924]

@@KennySharretts All good here. Right back at ya