Recording Overheads Pt1 - Mono

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In part 1 of "Recording Overheads" Charlie covers recording overheads using a mono configuration.
Gaer used:
Audio-Technica AT4047MP
Trident 88 Console
Audio-Technica Headphones
Drum kit:
Gretsch Renown
Cymbals:
Paiste

[@MatthewParsonsDrumsAndAudio]

As nice as it is to pan stereo overheads, a mono overhead just has a magical sound that is pure beauty. I always end up going back to a mono overhead.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Yes there is just something about a mono overhead that feels right. If you're micing your toms and/or hats and ride you can always get a stereo image that way.

[@madmuso5]

Matthew Parsons I used to do spaced pair only until one day I added a centre mic towards the front of the kit so all three overheads form a triangle. It wasn't until adding this centre mic that I realised a simple spaced pair can sometimes have a substantial hole in the centre of the stereo image especially on a large kit where they are far apart.

[@zigjefferson]

Charlie, I am a hobby drummer starting to explore recording myself, and I wanted to tell you that your videos are outstanding! You are a great teacher. Thanks for the insights!

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Thank you so much! Glad I can help out! Best of luck and happy recording! Charlie

[@brucebondsjr6766]

great video,Tom Green!

[@johnburkhalter3880]

Maybe I'm the minority but I actually prefer mono drums. They just sound more natural to my ears and that's what I prefer

[@Terrible_Peril]

John Burkhalter I’m a big fan of mono everything. Especially these days with the way people listen to music, mono is what people hear anyway. Or they’re listening on earbuds that benefit from a mono mix process to really hone the mids

[@ramencurry6672]

You may not be in the minority. Lots of classic records had mono overheads and they sound so amazing that even serious audiophiles love the recordings.

[@matthorndrums]

Dude your videos slay. They’ve really helped me out a ton! THANKYOU!!!

[@brads4606]

You know you’re in a real recording studio when you see a completely miss-matched drum kit mic’d up.

[@FVDaudio]

AT4047MP awesome!! awesome mono capture and nice blend semi-dry room...

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

The AT4047 is one of my favorite mics!

[@drummerdude123456]

This video was wonderful, thank you very much. Helped me out a lot!

[@DerekSamuelReese]

really dig this guys personally and knowledge and he makes it fun, My question is where is the overhead mic's capsule pointing in the first portion of the video ? over the snare ? your getting such a beautiful balance of everything

[@JulianFernandez]

Insightful stuff... Thanks!

[@TrackDrums]

Sounds great, dankeshesha! Ha!

[@LukeZalvino]

Is this a normal cardioid or however u spell it, condenser or is this in a omni directional setting? Seems like omni could be good but I just have a rodes nd1 I usually use

[@jjboogie1]

What type drum heads were used and how were they tuned? Do you remember? Currently doing some mono miking right now for a project. This helps!

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Hey JJ! I had coated emperors on the kit for this video. I don't remember exactly how we had the toms tuned but usually I'll tune them a touch higher if I'm minimal micing. That way you actually capture some tone in the mics and not just the sound of wood hitting a mylar head. How high the mic is positioned will also have an affect on how the mic picks up the kit. I also make sure to really listen for what the microphone is hearing and not just how the kit sounds while you're sitting behind it.

[@jjboogie1]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@onlinebassschool5295]

what distance would you say for one over head mic as that all i have from the snare

[@chinor3999]

May I ask what drum heads you are using on the bass drum thanks

[@el_sereno]

where should the overhead be pointed ?to snare ?

[@kenoir]

Currently I have some live shows to do, is this not really suitable for those environments?

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Hey Kenneth! A mono overhead works really well in a live environment. If you added a kick mic with a mono overhead it works really well. Matter of fact I had a gig last weekend and the drums had a kick mic and a mono overhead. That was it but it was enough to help the drums cut in the room. What is your setup like and what mics do you have? Thanks for the comment!

[@kennyschabow]

The lower you are in overhead position, the more cymbal, not less...

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

It depends on placement. With a mono overhead like this it tends to pickup more of the kit (drums/snare) and evens out the cymbals. The higher the placement the more the cymbals become more prominent as the balance of cymbals and transient heavy drums change. If the mics are placed in a position that they are more cymbals mics then yes, there would be more cymbals with a lower overhead position.

[@yodhamheaven]

what about if i having condensor omni patern,,., does it will be better sounding as mono overhead? or just keep cardioid just like the video?

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Omni can work really well as an overhead. You'll pick up a lot more of the room sound but the cymbals will be a little smoother and you'll capture more low end. Omni won't be as focused as Cardioid but can be really nice. I would recommend recording a little bit of both with your track to see which you like best.

[@charliestubbs6151]

MONO OVERHEADS STEREO IMAGE FROM ROOMS :)))))