BretB
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
- Total Posts : 508
- Joined: 2010/01/17 18:24:00
- Location: Oklahoma
- Status: offline
High hat mic recommendation (results)
I record all of my drums using an electronic kit via MIDI into Steven Slate vst. I would like to improve my recordings by using a real high hat so I will be needing a close and overhead mics. I am considering a Shure SM81 for close and have an Audio Technica 4033 that I might could use for an overhead. Any suggestions? RESULTS: Below is the result of a Sabian HHX 14" Evolution hi hat mixed with e-drum sample. Recorded using an Audio Technica AT4033a placed about 12" over the hi hat and the rest of the kit is a Steven Slate sample. A tad of Breverb "small drum room" added to the HH to blend with the kit atmosphere. Convincing? http://soundcloud.com/bret575b/bretb-drum-solo-1-060913
post edited by BretB - 2013/06/09 23:09:44
Sonar Platinum - A&H ZED R16 - KRK VXT4's - Yamaha DTXpress IV & Gretsch Catalina Maple kits "Music is what feelings sound like" https://soundcloud.com/bret575b
|
The Maillard Reaction
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 31918
- Joined: 2004/07/09 20:02:20
- Status: offline
.
post edited by The Maillard Reaction - 2019/01/09 18:54:49
|
BretB
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
- Total Posts : 508
- Joined: 2010/01/17 18:24:00
- Location: Oklahoma
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/18 20:21:17
(permalink)
HH's are another source of confusion!
Most of the time the SSD samples are great. Just hard to do any real complicated work on some projects.
Sonar Platinum - A&H ZED R16 - KRK VXT4's - Yamaha DTXpress IV & Gretsch Catalina Maple kits "Music is what feelings sound like" https://soundcloud.com/bret575b
|
The Maillard Reaction
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 31918
- Joined: 2004/07/09 20:02:20
- Status: offline
.
post edited by The Maillard Reaction - 2019/01/09 18:54:58
|
Cactus Music
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 8424
- Joined: 2004/02/09 21:34:04
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/19 12:41:59
(permalink)
Lot's of good reasons to add real Hi Hats, They might just be the most overlooked piece in a kit. People put way to much effort into Kick drums and snares. When I do sound I always go for the Hi Hat up front. It drives the real groove of a complicated pattern. And unless your digital kit is top end you just don't get the pedal action right.
I find that just about any mike that is accurate will work if the hat's are good to begin with, I've even used a SM 57. Try what you have first before you spend money on a new mike. Spend your money on the right set of hats first.
|
tfbattag
Max Output Level: -82 dBFS
- Total Posts : 422
- Joined: 2006/02/16 13:22:03
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/19 21:11:19
(permalink)
mike_mccue
SM81 is a ok choice.
It is what I have on my hi hats at the moment... I wouldn't say it's the best choice... and I wouldn't say that I know what the best choice is.
I think it's far more important to select and use a good sounding set of hi hats.
If you get that part right I think what ever mic(s) you select will seem good.
best regards,
mike
Mike is right on. Get good hats if you're going down this road. Then, it really depends on what your music is like. If you are doing cool patterns that need be articulated, a small diaphragm condenser is the way to go. Your 81 is fine really. If you feel the real need to get a better mic, the AKG 451 series are good and so is the Neumann KM184. I've personally gotten very good results with an AT4041, and they are only $299. Here's a link to a discussion on the topic: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/604883-lets-talk-hi-hat-mics.html
post edited by tfbattag - 2013/05/19 21:12:31
Thomas Battaglia :wq! ----------------------------------------------------------- Intel DP35DP, Q6600, 6GB RAM, Win7Pro x64; RME HDSPe RayDAT; RME ADI8-DS x2, RME ADI-2.
|
BretB
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
- Total Posts : 508
- Joined: 2010/01/17 18:24:00
- Location: Oklahoma
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/19 21:52:14
(permalink)
Thanks for the link to the discussion on Gearslutz. Based on the many comments of not close miking the hi hats, I might swing for a set of Sabian HHX Evolution Series hats and see how they sound with just my Audio Technica 4033 or even a SM58. I could save $300-400 on the mic I was thinking.
Sonar Platinum - A&H ZED R16 - KRK VXT4's - Yamaha DTXpress IV & Gretsch Catalina Maple kits "Music is what feelings sound like" https://soundcloud.com/bret575b
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/20 08:59:50
(permalink)
Hi Bret, If you're just wanting to mic an acoustic hi-hat (not drums), then you don't need a close mic on the hit-hat. With a good pair of overhead mics, you'll have plenty of articulation... and you'll have the freedom to EQ specifically for the hi-hat (no drums to worry about). For this particular purpose, I'd want a pair of small diaphragm condensers. All would do a pretty good job. Make sure to use a high-pass filter... as there's nothing on the low end that you'd want from the high-hat.
|
Dave Modisette
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 11050
- Joined: 2003/11/13 22:12:55
- Location: Brandon, Florida
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/20 09:11:42
(permalink)
My usual response is that I throw a somewhat cool small diaphragm condenser mic on them and then leave that mic out of the mix. The reason being that it saves a question and answer session between me and the drummer as to why I don't have a mic on the Hihat.  I use Superior Drummer now so I gave my kit away anyhow. (I've got a TrapKat drum controller.)
|
IK Obi
Max Output Level: -60 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1549
- Joined: 2011/02/22 20:25:48
- Location: Salt Lake City, UT
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/21 18:55:21
(permalink)
This is going to be weird....but I prefer dynamics on hats. I like the EV 635a a lot. The 57s ok. i5 is a bit better, but I like the 635as the best. Hi hats can get piercing highs really easily, but dynamics have a tendency to naturally smoothen them out.
|
The Maillard Reaction
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 31918
- Joined: 2004/07/09 20:02:20
- Status: offline
.
post edited by The Maillard Reaction - 2019/01/09 18:55:11
|
IK Obi
Max Output Level: -60 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1549
- Joined: 2011/02/22 20:25:48
- Location: Salt Lake City, UT
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/21 21:25:48
(permalink)
Exactly why they are my go tos for many things including overheads. :D
|
SvenArne
Max Output Level: -48 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2719
- Joined: 2007/01/31 12:51:29
- Location: Trondheim, Norway
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/23 08:33:35
(permalink)
BretB
I record all of my drums using an electronic kit via MIDI into Steven Slate vst. I would like to improve my recordings by using a real high hat so I will be needing a close and overhead mics. I am considering a Shure SM81 for close and have an Audio Technica 4033 that I might could use for an overhead. Any suggestions?
Hum, if I understand correctly you're augmenting trigger pads with real cymbals? If so, you gotta be careful cause a condenser mic will surely pick up a lot of the unattractive pad noises! Perhaps a hypercardoid dynamic mic would be best?
|
BretB
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
- Total Posts : 508
- Joined: 2010/01/17 18:24:00
- Location: Oklahoma
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/23 09:12:36
(permalink)
Hum, if I understand correctly you're augmenting trigger pads with real cymbals? If so, you gotta be careful cause a condenser mic will surely pick up a lot of the unattractive pad noises! Perhaps a hypercardoid dynamic mic would be best?
Hum, if I understand correctly you're augmenting trigger pads with real cymbals? If so, you gotta be careful cause a condenser mic will surely pick up a lot of the unattractive pad noises! Perhaps a hypercardoid dynamic mic would be best? I am not sure about how my new drum recording work flow will go. I am thinking I might lay down the multi tracks as I do now and replace the hi hat track with the acoustic recording. Not sure how bad the bleed will be but I don't have to play all of the other parts while doing the HH thing. This is the way I see it in my head. If I must play the snare or other parts to feel natural, maybe I can cover the pads with towels or such.
Sonar Platinum - A&H ZED R16 - KRK VXT4's - Yamaha DTXpress IV & Gretsch Catalina Maple kits "Music is what feelings sound like" https://soundcloud.com/bret575b
|
Cactus Music
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 8424
- Joined: 2004/02/09 21:34:04
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/23 12:19:16
(permalink)
What I do is lower the snare so I miss it! It is hard sometimes to play one part without your whole body getting in the groove. So I "air drum" the other parts. I put my kick foot on the floor next to the pedal etc. Careful, you can hurt yourself.
But it is a good point and might be that a good old 57 is the right mike after all. After all the other background hits will hopefully be in Time!
|
IK Obi
Max Output Level: -60 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1549
- Joined: 2011/02/22 20:25:48
- Location: Salt Lake City, UT
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation
2013/05/23 13:07:47
(permalink)
Yup. Go dynamic. I far prefer them to most condensers in the studio.
|
BretB
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
- Total Posts : 508
- Joined: 2010/01/17 18:24:00
- Location: Oklahoma
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation (results)
2013/06/02 12:11:40
(permalink)
Below is the result of a Sabian HHX 14" Evolution hi hat mixed with e-drum sample. Recorded using an Audio Technica AT4033a placed about 12" over the hi hat and the rest of the kit is a Steven Slate sample. A tad of Breverb "small drum room" added to the HH to blend with the kit atmosphere. Convincing? http://soundcloud.com/bret575b/bretb-drum-solo-1-060213
Sonar Platinum - A&H ZED R16 - KRK VXT4's - Yamaha DTXpress IV & Gretsch Catalina Maple kits "Music is what feelings sound like" https://soundcloud.com/bret575b
|
The Maillard Reaction
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 31918
- Joined: 2004/07/09 20:02:20
- Status: offline
.
post edited by The Maillard Reaction - 2019/01/09 18:55:33
|
BretB
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
- Total Posts : 508
- Joined: 2010/01/17 18:24:00
- Location: Oklahoma
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation (results)
2013/06/09 23:12:45
(permalink)
Sonar Platinum - A&H ZED R16 - KRK VXT4's - Yamaha DTXpress IV & Gretsch Catalina Maple kits "Music is what feelings sound like" https://soundcloud.com/bret575b
|
brconflict
Max Output Level: -56.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1891
- Joined: 2012/10/05 21:28:30
- Status: offline
Re:High hat mic recommendation (results)
2013/06/10 16:09:23
(permalink)
I love my AT-3031, which I'm sad to say AT no longer produces. It's smooth, and can handle a loud hi-hat. Also, for a loud drummer, I mic on the outer edge, not where the sticks contact the hats. It's smoother there than where the stick hits, unless you really need to catch the most pristine taps on the hats during quiet parts.
Brian Sonar Platinum, Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9, MOTU 24CoreIO w/ low-slew OP-AMP mods and BLA external clock, True P8, Audient ASP008, API 512c, Chandler Germ500, Summit 2ba-221, GAP Pre-73, Peluso 22251, Peluso 2247LE, Mackie HR824, Polk Audio SRS-SDA 2.3tl w/upgraded Soniccraft crossovers and Goertz cables, powered by Pass-X350. All wiring Star-Quad XLR or Monster Cable. Power by Monster Power Signature AVS2000 voltage stabilizer and Signature Pro Power 5100 PowerCenter on a 20A isolation shielded circuit.
|