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DEATH AND KICK DRUMS
Debbie and Matt have very different questions. Hers is one of those
deep philosophical ones I get every so often, but his asks about the
techniques used to accomplish what has become a very popular component
of modern pop’n’rockin’ mixing.
When do you know you are an old sound man?
Because we never die or go away.
YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS SAYS YOUR NAME IS DEBBIE, SO IN
TRUTH YOU WOULD BE HEADED TOWARDS BEING AN OLD SOUNDWOMAN, UNLESS YOUR
HUSBAND, BOYFRIEND, OR FELLOW EMPLOYEE JUST HAPPENS TO BE USING YOUR
E-MAIL ACCOUNT.
I FOUGHT AGAINST ADMITTING I WAS OLD.
I
THINK MAYBE THE NIGHT I BECAME AN OLD SOUNDMAN WAS WHEN A VISITING MIXER
CAME INTO THE VENUE I WORKED FOR AT THE TIME. HE WAS VERY BRUSQUE AND
UNFRIENDLY TO ME ALL DAY, MAYBE HE JUST HAD A BUNCH OF BAD SHOWS.
HE
ACTUALLY PERFORMED ON AN INSTRUMENT FROM THE MIX POSITION ON A SONG
OR TWO, AND HAD A CONTRAPTION RIGGED UP TO PUT IT INTO THE DESK AND
SEND IT BACK DOWN A SNAKE LINE TO THE MONITORS.
AFTER THE CONCERT,
A CHERUBIC STAGEHAND WAS HELPING ME TEAR DOWN THE POSITION. HE HELD
UP THE DANGLING CONTRAPTION AND SAID, “HEY, ISN’T THIS SO-AND-SO’S?”
SO-AND-SO WAS AT THAT EXACT MOMENT EXITING A SIDE DOOR BELOW
US, AND THE CHERUB WAS READY TO CALL OUT TO HIM.
“DROP
IT,” I SAID.
“WHAT?” THE CHERUB COULDN’T
BELIEVE HIS EARS.
“DROP IT ON THE FLOOR,” I REPEATED.
“(EXPLETIVE DELETED) THAT GUY.”
MAYBE YOU THINK THAT
IS A HARSH ANECDOTE.
I CAN BE A NICE GUY, TOO.
JUST WATCH
…
Hello. I’m looking for some advice here if you don’t
mind…
I DON’T MIND, MATT.
THAT’S
WHAT I’M HERE FOR.
What is the best way to achieve the chest-thumping kick drum sound?
Assuming the mains have adequate subs, mids and highs with appropriate
x-over frequencies established and dialed in…
WELL, THE FIRST ITEM IN THE RECIPE IS THE DRUM ITSELF.
UNLESS
YOU WANT TO CHEAT AND USE ONE OF THE KICK MICS THAT IS DESIGNED TO MAKE
A BAD DRUM SOUND GOOD. I HAVE TO RELUCTANTLY ADMIT THAT THE MICROPHONE
MANUFACTURERS HAVE MADE AN OBSCENELY HUGE AMOUNT OF DINERO BUILDING
THESE ILLUSION DEVICES, THAT I PERSONALLY DESPISE.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY
GET A KILLER SOUND FROM AN 18” KICK, BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO REALIZE
THAT.
THE SPEAKERS IN THE SUBS ARE ONLY 18”, HELLOOOO?
IT
IS ALL ABOUT THE TUNING. UNLESS YOU HAVE A TOTAL CRAP-ASS CHEAPJACK
KICK DRUM THAT JUST CAN’T BE TUNED UP INTO SOMETHING HALF-DECENT.
I’m looking for compression, basic sweep eq settings from the
desk, mic placement suggestions and recommendations. I know you could
probably write a book on the subject, but any advice would help.
WHEN
THE KICK DRUM HAS A HOLE IN IT, I PUT ABOUT HALF OF THE MIC INTO IT.
I DO NOT USE COMPRESSION ON MY KICK CHANNEL, BUT AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW,
MANY PEOPLE DO.
THERE IS NO HARD AND FAST RULE ABOUT EQ’ING,
I AM SURPRISED YOU WOULD EVEN ASK THAT QUESTION. IT VARIES FROM ROOM
TO ROOM AND DRUMMER TO DRUMMER AND SYSTEM TO SYSTEM.
DIG?
And if you have the time, recommendations on a di’ed bass rig
in a similar situation…a sound that’s crisp and deep without
muddiness.
AH, MATT. MATT, MATT, MATT.
GET A GIG
WITH WILL LEE OR JOHN PATITUCCI!
I APOLOGIZE FOR MY SARCASM,
BUT WHAT I AM TRYING TO EXPRESS IS THAT THE ORIGINAL SIGNAL IS THE MOST
CRUCIAL COMPONENT IN THE CHAIN. YOU ARE PROBABLY TOO YOUNG TO HAVE EVER
HEARD THE OLD EXPRESSION – YOU CAN’T MAKE A SILK PURSE OUT
OF A SOW’S EAR.
A GREAT BASS SOUND WILL ALWAYS SOUND GOOD
DOWN THE LINE, ASSUMING THAT THE SYSTEM IS TUNED HALFWAY DECENTLY.
A
BASSIST WITH A MISERABLE TONE TO START WITH WILL NOT SOUND GOOD EVEN
IF YOU PUT IT THROUGH A TUBE D.I., A TUBE COMPRESSOR, AND A MEGABUCKS
CONSOLE.
Thanks for any advice (or discouragements) you may offer.
Matt Uecker
Soundman
YOU’RE WELCOME, PAL!
LUV –
- THE OLD SOUNDMAN
