Three new video tutorials have been added to Neumann’s Home Studio Academy on YouTube, focusing on recording techniques for drums. The videos also document the sound qualities of the Neumann microphones used, as use of EQ is avoided. The content is aimed at both recording novices and advanced users.
The first tutorial video addresses using three mics in a stereo recording method developed by producer and engineer Glyn Johns in the 1960s. As then, Neumann U 67 tube microphones are used for this purpose.
The tutorial proves that convincing results can also be achieved using three significantly less expensive Neumann TLM 102 large-diaphragm microphones. The latter can be heard as an alternative to the U 67 - the sound character seems more modern in a direct comparison, and the low frequency range more pronounced, but this is by no means a disadvantage.
Recording a full drum set with just a single microphone is covered in the second tutorial – not in the highly polished drum sound of modern pop productions, but to capture the energy of a natural drum kit convincingly and in good quality. The Neumann KU 100 dummy head makes a cameo appearance , providing a three-dimensional impression of the sound on location.
The third tutorial focuses on multi-microphone set-ups. Two overhead microphones form the basis, which are supplemented step by step with close-up microphones in order to achieve a modern, powerful drum sound.
Again, two KM 184 small-diaphragm microphones are used as overheads. The video shows that instead of an XY set-up, an AB constellation (time-of-arrival difference instead of level difference) can also be useful here. On the snare, a Neumann KMS 105 is used, which was designed as a high-quality stage vocal microphone, but works very well on the snare drum, too, while suppressing the hi-hat due to its supercardioid pickup pattern.
The new tutorials are presented as one-shot videos – a single take without cuts. This special stylistic device does not fail to have an effect and is intended to put the viewer in the middle of the action. They are accompanied by easy explanations from presenter Geert Verdickt.
More: www.youtube.com
