Renowned for its natural and expansive sound, the Glyn Johns drum mic technique employs a combination of overhead and close-miking approaches. This technique utilizes a pair of overhead microphones, typically spaced apart and positioned above the drum kit, to capture the overall ambiance and cymbal washes. Close-miking involves placing a microphone on each individual drum, such as the kick drum, snare drum, and toms, to enhance their distinct characteristics. The Glyn Johns technique aims to balance the direct and ambient drum sounds, resulting in a well-rounded and cohesive sonic image.
The Glyn Johns Drum Mic Technique
The Glyn Johns drum mic technique is a popular method for recording drums that was developed by Glyn Johns, a British sound engineer who has worked with many acclaimed artists, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. This technique is known for its natural and balanced sound, making it a favorite among engineers and drummers alike.
Microphone Placement
The Glyn Johns technique uses three microphones to capture the sound of the drums:
- One overhead microphone, positioned above the center of the kit, pointing down at a 45-degree angle. This mic captures the overall sound of the drums.
- Two close mics, positioned near the kick drum and snare drum. These mics capture the individual sounds of each drum.
Overhead Mic Positioning
The overhead mic is typically placed about 3-4 feet above the center of the kit, pointing down at a 45-degree angle. This angle helps to capture the sound of all the drums evenly, without emphasizing any one particular drum.
Close Mic Positioning
The close mics are positioned as follows:
- Kick drum mic: Placed inside the kick drum, facing the beater.
- Snare drum mic: Placed about 2-3 inches above the snare drum, pointing down at a 45-degree angle.
Microphone Choice
The choice of microphones for the Glyn Johns technique is important. The overhead mic should be a condenser microphone with a cardioid or hypercardioid polar pattern. This type of mic will capture the sound of the drums clearly and accurately. The close mics can be either dynamic or condenser microphones, with a cardioid polar pattern.
Signal Processing
Once the microphones are in place, the signals from each mic are sent to a mixing console or interface. The signals can be processed with EQ, compression, and other effects to achieve the desired sound.
Advantages of the Glyn Johns Technique
The Glyn Johns drum mic technique offers several advantages:
- Natural and balanced sound
- Captures the overall sound of the drums
- Easy to set up and use.
Question 1:
What is the Glyn Johns drum mic technique?
Answer:
The Glyn Johns drum mic technique is a multi-microphone recording technique for capturing the sound of a drum set. It typically involves placing three microphones on the drum kit, with one overhead microphone positioned above the kit and two microphones placed on the floor in front of the kick drum.
Question 2:
How does the Glyn Johns drum mic technique differ from other techniques?
Answer:
The Glyn Johns drum mic technique differs from other techniques in that it uses fewer microphones and places them in specific locations to capture a balanced representation of the entire drum kit, rather than isolating individual drums or cymbals.
Question 3:
What are the benefits of using the Glyn Johns drum mic technique?
Answer:
The benefits of using the Glyn Johns drum mic technique include its simplicity, versatility, and ability to provide a natural-sounding balance in the overall drum recording. It is suitable for a wide range of music genres and can be used to capture the sound of both acoustic and electronic drums.
And there you have it, folks! The Glyn Johns drum mic technique in all its glory. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective way to capture a natural and balanced drum sound that’s perfect for a wide variety of genres. So, next time you’re setting up your drum mics, give this technique a try. You might just be surprised at how great your drums sound!
Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back soon for more recording tips and techniques. Until next time, keep rockin’!