Recording a Ride Cymbal (1 Viewer)

[ogy]

hey i posted this on boards music production forum too, just said id through it up hear incase anyone has any ideas:

im workin on a spectral electroacoustic piece and i want to analyze the spectrum of a 22' ride cymbal using audition.

im recording it using a c414 and was wondering if anyone has any advice about mic placement for such a beast of a thing

i know they probably resonate in all sorts of directions but any ideas on where would be a spot to capture a reasonable balance?

it doesn't have to sound good or anything, its a purely scientific recording

thanks
ógy"

 

[RED(tape)MENACE]

I think the only 'wrong' way to mic up a cymbal is to have the mic pointed at the edge of the cymbal - other than that you should be fine.

 

[pissypants]

Try putting the mic with pickup pattern pointing directly downwards about 3 feet above the cymbal, half way between the bell and the rim. I'd have to try it myself to be sure, but logically that should give a pretty "representative" sound.

If you're in a really good room, stick it on omni pattern, if not, stick it on hyper cardioid.

Oh yeah, and disregard everything I've said and try it a lot of other ways too.

Remember the cymbal will sound different depending on how it's being played: hard / soft, near the bell / near the rim, so it depends what you are trying to achieve.......as always there aren't really any hard and fast rules, only what "works" in a given situation.

 

[ogy]

cool, cheers lads, gonna just pick a few spots and work from there