Phosphene Productions Studio Tips series: Drums

   

Today in this edition of Phosphene Productions: Studio Tips series, we will be focusing on getting the most from your drums. In the world of modern music,the drums (and the increasingly prominent kick and snare drums) provide the foundation the rest of the song must be built on. Without a solid foundation, your song may never reach it's full potential. With that said here's some tips to get the best sounds out of your drums (and drummer) when it comes time to record! 

 

• In the studio your drums will be put under the microscope of a half dozen or more microphones picking up the smallest details in your kit. Before your session be sure to check that nothing is loose, rattling, or squeaking. These are small details that can get drown out at a live show, but can become much more prominent in a studio situation.

• Tune your drums! You wouldn't want to record with an out of tune guitar, why would drums be any different? Making sure your drums are properly in tune upon arriving and loading in at the studio before recording begins is highly important. Most drum shells have a fundamental note. If you take off the heads and hoops, put the shell on it's stand or mount, then tap it with your knuckle - it will give a quiet note. By listening carefully to it, you can use a keyboard or guitar to find out what the note is. If you want, you can then adjust the tuning so the heads match this fundamental note. This will bring out all the best qualities and potential of the shell's sound. But, if you don't want to do this, that's fine. Tuning the heads to any note you like will still produce a great sound.

•  Adding some dampening to your drum can help get rid of those unwanted ringing overtones. Moon Gel is a great product to try, just put on as much as you need to get the sound you want. But remember, it's best to place it at the edge of the drum. You can also try using your wallet or strips of electrical tape!
• Replace those beat up drum heads you've had since high school a week or so before the session allowing them time to stretch and break in. Make sure they are properly tuned and listen to each piece of the kit on its own checking once more for any mechanical noises.
• Write and practice your fills! Remember that the studio is hourly, and may not be the best place to try out that new 6 tom drum fill you've been thinking of for the first time. Knowing the placement of your fills and having them practiced will help prevent you from drifting off the beat during the fills.
  
  
  
  
   We hope that you have found some of this info useful, be on the lookout for Phosphene Productions: Crash course on studio drum tuning video coming soon!