Ribbon Microphones: Kit Front-Room Mic

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Gotta love ribbon mics! At least I do. Ribbon mics do such a fantastic job of capturing fat, full, drum sounds. In this video I'm going to demonstrate how using a ribbon mic in front of the kit can add depth and ambience to you drum sound.
Microphones used:
Overheads: Audio-Technica AT4080
Kick: Audio-Technica ATM250
Snare: Audio-Technica Pro63
Toms: Heil PR30
Hats: Audio-Technica ATM450
Kit Front/Room: Cascade Fathead II
Trident 88 Console
Audio-Technica Headphones
Drum kit:
Gretsch Renown
Cymbals:
Paiste

[@maxadrums]

I've always loved Ribbon microphones, however I have yet to purchase one for myself.. DEFINITELY something I'll be getting in the not too distant future! Thanks for the inspiration and demonstration of how it really can breathe life into the general drum sound.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Just get one and stick it in front of your kit! You already get good sounds but a little ribbon magic will fill it out! :)

[@weeschwee]

What would happen if you point the side of the Mic at the drums? Would you get a great room sound even being close to the drums?

[@TheGarageRecordingSC]

Great video, amazing how much of an impact that one mic has. Would love to see a video about micing drums in a small room like a converted home garage. That would be awesome. Basically taking a room that doesn’t sound that great and still make the drums sound great.

[@IsawUupThere]

You're reaaaaaaaly selling this thing. I'm trying to figure out if I'd rather have $200 or a fathead. I don't have a ribbon, I don't have a figure 8... what am I even doing with my life! Also subscribed because this is above and beyond.

[@NickHolum]

Formula 602 ... a fine ride cymbal that is. I got a 20" modern essentials a few months ago. God I love that cymbal.

[@yettielusive3370]

Very cool. I recently recorded a drummer, using close mics, overheads, and just 1 ribbon mic as the mono room mic. I must say, it blends in real nice to fill out the sound...bigger, smoother... and the fact that it is mono didn't hurt the stereo image of the close mics, it wasn't loud enough to mess with the stereo image. Also, I did find that I didn't need an outside the kick mic...the ribbon and close mic in the kick blended perfect. Great video again Brotha!

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Nice!!! Thanks for sharing your workflow.

[@dww0902]

Cascade Fathead or MXL R44/R144? These would be my first pair of ribbons. Would one give me a better overall ribbon experience than the other? Pros? Cons? Do you have a preference? I'm leaning toward the $399 Cascade blumlein set.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Honestly the two mics don't sound extremely different. Having said that I think the Fathead is a little more open and just a touch less dark. The 144 is very old school dark in that way. You can't go wrong with either really but that Cascade Blumlein set is great. You'll dig it!!

[@jeffsnider9869]

Excellent video! In the middle of it, I went a bought fathead off reverb immediately!

[@gravityfreaksmusic]

Cool video!

[@frankbinninger7900]

hey charlie - is the mono fathead the same distance to the snare than the overheads?

[@MatthewParsonsDrumsAndAudio]

I might experiment with at home a mono ribbon overhead with a mono ribbon out in front of the kit. Maybe add snare and bass as needed. Been playing with a mono ribbon now for a few weeks and I'm not looking back, it's just fantastic.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

That is one of my favorite setups! You can get quite a kick sound with the ribbon. Check this video out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWjRcmdtnKipopY If you get something cool please post it!

[@MatthewParsonsDrumsAndAudio]

Ultimate Studios, Inc I will for sure post if I get something cool and unique!

[@liammcevoy3212]

Hal must hate that drumbeat by now 😂

[@chris_c_drums6054]

thx!

[@JulianFernandez]

Nice tones!

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Thanks Julian!

[@Utik0ne]

Great tips!! Please share the compressor settings near the end!