I'm discussing a gig where I might be recording a band live at my venue. The band has 2 drummers and a percussionist (along with guitars, bass, and vocals). What would you do?
Kick and snare from each kit panned center, mono OH on hats side from one drummer and mono OH on ride side for the other drummer? Centered mono OH for each drummer panned hard? Pan the kick and snare?
...but...listen to Modest Mouse. They have two drummers live so it would be interesting to see what they do for a live recording in comparison to a studio recording.
Last Edit: Apr 11, 2016 15:41:51 GMT -6 by schmalzy
Post by jeromemason on Apr 11, 2016 20:12:57 GMT -6
Your post reminded me of this insanely sick thing Zimmer did.... looks like they just made sure the phase relationship was squared and setup a pretty simple mic compliment.
Man that's sick when you hear it in the track though...
Last Edit: Apr 11, 2016 20:14:35 GMT -6 by jeromemason
There are endless possibilities. Yes, check Allman Bros., also Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen. Didn't Zappa have 2 drummers also? Then there's Genesis live with Collins and Chester Thompson. I read somewhere that some Motown stuff had 2 drummers, maybe Bob O. can chime in. The new Bonamassa album has 2 drummers as well. Check out Ringo's All Starr Band also, he has another drummer with him. A radical approach would be to keep both drums mono and pan them full left and right, might work too. Just have fun with it.
Your post reminded me of this insanely sick thing Zimmer did.... looks like they just made sure the phase relationship was squared and setup a pretty simple mic compliment.
Man that's sick when you hear it in the track though...
2 drummers seems a bit of a distraction no? now you have to glare at 2 dudes instead of one when they're bashing the cymbals too much! not to mention, all the stupid shit drummers do in duplicate , plus you'll have to work double time ragging on them with other band mates! Seriously though, double drums are cool when the same drummer double tracks himself, JB in all his imperfect/perfect musical bombastic glory!
that's not right, let me fix that....
that's still not right, let me fix that again.....
Try to find pictures from "Live At Fillmore East" ??
I pulled up some old Allmon vids and it seems like they were using a mono overhead for each kit. It seems like Kick, Snare, OH for each kit will be my best bet. This is how I've mixed the band live in the past, so it should translate well enough on record.
I'd definitely rec going mono on each and panning. A well placed figure 8 could give the perfect balance between them.
The key issues is being thorough for the setup and making sure their kits both sound great against each other naturally. As is the key to any live recording. Just make sure the band sounds awesome and you're 80% there.