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July 8, 2010

This is the fourth installment in my series on drum track processing. Today we will briefly discuss ambience and the use of room mics.

You have just downloaded your WAV’s from an online recording studio, imported the tracks into your session and pulled up the faders to zero. Holy echo, Batman! There’s a lot of room mics in those drum tracks! Well, maybe. Yes, that’s a lot of room if you solo the drums. Now start adding vocals, guitar, bass and other elements.

Is there actually more room than you need now? Or do you simply notice that the drum tracks are sitting in a nice “space” in the mix without the need for artificial reverb? I like to record my drum tracks with the room mics on the hot side, with plenty of level. Maybe more than you’ll actually use in the final mix, but it’s there if you need it. This will give you the most latitude when it is time to create your atmosphere and space. Believe me, you’ll thank me in the end. So, if you want more of a Beach Boys type thing or a 70’s dry drum track sound, try backing those faders down. Should you need a modern R and B thing where the drum kit sounds more like samples, then simply mute the room mics altogether. Is a big rock sound what you need? Go ahead and crank those room mics up from the beginning! How about this for a creative use of room mics: sneak the room mics in during choruses only, or during big drum fills. Doing this with your drum tracks will add more excitement without resorting to EQ or level changes. Again, suit to taste and don’t be afraid to experiment with processing your drum tracks.

Keep in mind that a healthy use of compression on room mics is standard practice for most rock productions. The goal is to get the compressor pumping in time with the track so that the drums start to sound exciting – like they’re about to explode out of the speakers.

Once you realize that a good drum track isn’t merely about impact and punch, that it should have depth and a real sense space as well, your productions will take on a whole new life. Regarding drum tracks, the quickest, most natural way to a cool sonic landscape is through the creative use of room mics in your mix.

Check out my other articles on drum processing on this site, covering topics such as use of compression and gating on drum tracks. In Part Five the focus will by on equalization. Until then, have fun applying what you have read.