Wondering how to mic a kick drum for heavy metal? You’ll need to spend time miking it up properly to get a great sound out of your kick drum. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of micing a kick drum for heavy metal. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right microphone to placement and EQ.
By the end, you’ll have all the tools you need to get a massive, punchy kick sound that will help your band’s recordings stand out. So let’s get started!
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Place The Kick Drum In The Center Of The Room
If you’re looking for a big, booming sound from your kick pedal, micing it correctly is essential. For best results, place the recording kick drum in the center of the room and use two microphones: one for the front head and one for the back.
If you’re using a single mic, place it about 6 inches from the front head and aim it toward the felt beater and beater side. When positioning your microphones, remember that you may need to experiment a bit to find the sweet spot.
Once you’ve found the perfect spot, adjust your levels so that the kick drum sits nicely in the mix. With a little trial and error, you’ll be able to get a killer sound good from your kick drum that will add some serious power to your metal tracks.
Set Up Two Mics – One On Each Side Of The Kick Drum
If you’re looking to mic a kick drum for heavy metal, there’s no shortage of ways to do it. But if you want to capture the full range of the drum kick sound, you’ll need to set up two microphones – one on each side of the kick drum.
By positioning the microphones this way, you’ll be able to pick up both the kick drum’s low-frequency thump and the beater’s high-frequency snap. Additionally, using two microphones will help minimize bleeding from other instruments in the mix. So if you’re ready to start, here’s how to mic a kick drum for heavy metal.
First, position one microphone outside the drum kit, pointing at the beater side. This microphone will capture the snap of the beater as it hits the good heads. For best results, use a dynamic microphone with a tight polar pattern.
Next, position a second microphone on the other side of the kick drum, pointing at the center of the head. This microphone will pick up the low-frequency thump of the kick drum.
Again, a dynamic microphone with a tight polar pattern will work best. Finally, adjust the level of each microphone until you achieve a balance between the two sounds.
Angle The Mics Towards The Beater, About 2-4 Inches Away
There are several different ways to mic a kick drum for a heavy metal sound. One is to angle the mics towards the beater, about 2-4 inches away. This will capture the drum’s attack while still picking up the low-end resonance.
Another option is to place one mic in front of the drum and another in the back. This will give you a fuller bass drum sound with more low end. You can also experiment with different mic placements to see what sounds best for your particular setup. Experiment and have fun!
Make Sure To Eq And Compress Your Signal For A Heavy Metal Sound
Heavy metal drums are all about power, so you’ll need to EQ and compress your signal to get that big, fat sound. Start by traditionally miking the kick drum, with a mic placed inside the shell pointing towards the beater.
But don’t rely on this mic alone-you’ll also want to add a second mic about a foot away from the kick, pointing towards the batter’s head. This will help to capture the low end of the sound. For even more thump, try placing a third mic just outside the kick, pointing towards the edge of the head where it meets the shell.
This will pick up even more of the low frequencies. Once you’ve got your multiple mics, it’s time to start EQ’ing. Start by boosting the low end on your mics until you get that big, fat sound. Then, use a high-pass filter to remove any unwanted rumble.
Finally, compress the signal to keep those drums sounding nice and tight. With these tips, you’ll be able to get that perfect heavy metal kick drum sound.
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Enjoy Your Thunderous Kick Drums!
First, choose the right microphone. A dynamic mic like the Shure SM57 is a good option, as it can handle high SPLs (sound pressure levels). If you’re looking for even more punch, try a ribbon mic like the Beyerdynamic M 160.
Next, position the mic correctly. Point it towards the center of the drumhead, about an inch away from the skin. You may need to experiment a bit to find the sweet spot, but once you do, you’ll be rewarded with a powerful double bass drum and punchy kick drum sound.
Finally, make sure your mic is properly positioned in the mix. The kick drum should sit somewhere between the double bass drum sound and the snare drum in the mix, so adjust your levels accordingly. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to get a great kick bass drum sound that will add some serious power to your heavy metal tracks!
Conclusion
Now that you know all about miking kick drums for heavy metal put your new knowledge to the test! Experiment with different mic placements and techniques to find the sound that you like best.
Don’t be afraid to try something new – after all, that’s part of what makes heavy metal great. With a little bit of trial and error, you’ll be able to get the perfect kick drum sound for your band. And who knows? Maybe your new technique will become the next big thing in heavy metal. So get out there and start rockin’!