The Two BEST Ways To Mix Overheads! (Natural VS Processed)

Рет қаралды 16,874

Күн бұрын

Mixing overheads can be difficult if you don't know what you are doing, it can be easy to over EQ and make things sound worse than if you had done nothing at all!
In this video I'm going to show you two methods I like to use when mixing overheads that practically guarantee a good overhead sound!
Make sure you LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more!
(0:00) Introduction
(1:21) Method One: Natural
(4:48) Method Two: Processed
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Пікірлер: 83

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Hey guys! Please remember this is just a guide on two approaches for mixing overheads, not a definitively how to EQ them, as this will vary greatly depending on the rooms and the cymbals etc make sure you watch both methods and you’ll be able to cover a wide range of genres and applications. Method one is great for more warmth/fullness - which is good in country, rock, folk kinda stuff. Where as method two is probably better for denser mixes, like big rock/pop productions and heavier metal and punk tracks. As always, use your ears and determine what YOUR mix needs :) hope you enjoy the video!

@kryptoniterazor 8 ай бұрын

Great tutorial. Appreciate the sweeping the gain knob on these bands for easier pinpointing.

@spinlightstudios 8 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@AntMas Жыл бұрын

Dang! The way you mix drums makes them sound SO GOOD.

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much man! Got a few full drum mixing vids on my channel if you want to check them out :)

@simonaustin1136 Жыл бұрын

Great video! The “less is more” approach is a great call for overheads. I like the natural approach better in this context as the drums seem to have more depth and dimension, but it’s a subtle difference overall and the song itself would come across just fine either way!

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Thanks Simon! I agree, less is more is generally better for overheads. All the times I’ve done crazy EQ, notched resonances etc etc, ends up sounding lifeless or just really unnatural. I usually end up taking off half my overhead processing when that happens and go with something simpler like this. A lot of the time the problem can just be getting the right level, not necessarily going crazy with processing to fit them into the mix. Thanks for watching man

@pauldrums4196 Жыл бұрын

Thanks man, your videos are so helpful!!

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome!

@RobBrens 13 күн бұрын

Being a drummer, I'm gonna like the natural sound more, but for my own mixing I've been taking the 'processed' approach just because that's what I've seen. I'm going to experiment a bit more with the natural vibe for a bit, thanks!

@raybeeger1529 10 ай бұрын

Your approaches are near to my thoughts about drum mixing, very nice and thank you! I love the way to use the SSL channelstrip. If you use it right it will be perfect!

@spinlightstudios 10 ай бұрын

Thanks mate!

@thelightmonkey1970 Жыл бұрын

I always try and get as much of the kit sound from the OHs as possible, so the close mikes are just a tasty bonus - but always end going one of these 2 routes anyway! 🙂 good vid

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Thanks man. The overheads can add so much more flavour than just being a “cymbals” mic for sure!

@EvanVincent. 8 ай бұрын

Both approaches are fine. I think the decision can be made depending on the genre. With this mix, I prefer the more natural mix. I like how it the natural processed overheads just thicken up the mix a bit. The cymbals are pushed back slightly. In the other mix, the cymbals are pushed forward too much for the mix and don't sit in the track as well, in my opinion. It also makes the snare a lot brighter.

@spinlightstudios 8 ай бұрын

Definitely a case by case as to which road to take!

@ronallen2458 2 ай бұрын

Hey! I just found your channel a couple weeks ago. Super good! I really like your presentation style and you play great examples. Also, you are on Logic which is a bonus.

@spinlightstudios 2 ай бұрын

Cheers Ron! Appreciate you letting me know!

@gonzova 6 ай бұрын

Thank you!🙂

@spinlightstudios 6 ай бұрын

No problem!

@Beethovan 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video. Processed sound sounds more modern.

@Nikogigineishvili Жыл бұрын

great video as always! in this style i like more natural option than Processed, its more glued drum sound, processed is too clean :D

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

For sure! They both sound alright, I think I’ll run with the natural though ;)

@alllickable Ай бұрын

Like the video😃 how would you approach your overheads as your main sound for kit?

@spinlightstudios Ай бұрын

If I was using overheads as the majority of the sound, then I wouldn’t too much information out, just anything that sounds muddy or harsh. Gentle compression. Blend close mics just enough for reinforced impact.

@alllickable Ай бұрын

@@spinlightstudios Thank you :)

@russgenders7550 Жыл бұрын

great

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Thanks man!

@constantinranis 9 ай бұрын

I have no experience with real recorded cymbals but i ve noticed on programmed drums , the more low end i cut the more digital and harsch the cymbals sound and the more i reduce the harschness the more they dont sound like cymbals anymore..

@spinlightstudios 9 ай бұрын

It is definitely a challenge, especially midi cymbals!

@TylerFoleyAudio Жыл бұрын

The second method you showed with the high-passed OH's shocked me when you brought it back into context. Going to definitely try that method next time I'm mixing. Generally speaking, Rhys, from an engineering perspective, do you prefer to treat your OH mics as 'cymbal mics' or 'kit mics'? Cheers :)

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Hey Tyler, it’s kinda depends on the genre I guess! Like if the mix is dense and I want bright/punchy sounds, I might do the second method and let the close mics create the overall sound of the kit. Or if I want big thick drums, I’ll use the overheads to beef things up :) just a track by track decision really!

@TylerFoleyAudio Жыл бұрын

@@spinlightstudios Thanks for the info man. I always learn a lot from your vids and your responses. I'm very appreciative that you make them.

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

No worries man! Glad to hear it’s helpful!

@hughlawson5399 Жыл бұрын

is the only thing changed between the mixes the overhead processing and levels? both sound pretty good I'd probably split the difference.

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Yeah it’s just the difference in overhead processing! Both sound good, the “natural” is just a bit warmer than “processed/filtered”. Depends if you want things really clean, or like a bit of extra warmth from the overheads low end.

@gavmurray7398 Жыл бұрын

interesting i found the natural approach in your example had a lot more depth / more 3 dimensional could sort of place the cymbals in the space better the hi passed one seemed a bit flatter by comparison.

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

I agree, I like the depth and thickness it adds, toms and snare sound bolder and I like the fullness to the cymbals as you get some of the lower tones in there, but for some styles I also appreciate that cleaner, thinner sound!

@robertoferrarini7153 3 ай бұрын

Thanks, very interesting! I have a question related to OHs. In the DAW I see you have two separate mono channels panned instead of one stereo channel. I guess you are then recording with two channels in mono in your audio interface, is that correct? Do you see also a scenario where you record them with two channels in stereo in audio interface going in one stereo channel in the DAW? Thanks

@spinlightstudios 3 ай бұрын

Hey Robert, it’s kind of the same thing really - i could track these as a stereo input in my Daw, but then it makes It harder to adjust levels on left and right as well as panning - or even if I need to shift one side to fix phase. It’s just easier to track them as mono channels and pan them out then create a bus in my daw for processing them together.

@robertoferrarini7153 3 ай бұрын

@@spinlightstudios Thanks for the quick and valuable response! Ciao

@ClarityJustin Жыл бұрын

Hi Spinlight Studio, amazing video on mixing overheads! Hope you won't mind a question. I have been using plugins and would like to purchase a hardware compressor to try. My concern is how can I add compression to multiple tracks individually (drums tracks) if I only have one hardware compression unit? Do I have to purchase 5 units for 5 drum tracks? It's straightforward for plugins but I'm stumped when it comes to hardware. Thank you!

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Hey mate! Thanks! You definitely don’t have to buy loads of compressors if you don’t want to spend that much money straight away. I would suggest starting with buying a drum bus stereo compressor, that way you can have all the drums running through a piece of hardware and adding some Colour to the entire kit. You could also individually compress your sounds and print them back into your DAW to free up the compressor to use on other sounds. When entering the world of hardware, it’s best to do it slowly and get an understanding of how to integrate it into your workflow, then starting building it up!

@ClarityJustin Жыл бұрын

@@spinlightstudios Investing in a drum bus stereo compressor first definitely sounds like a good idea. Compressing and printing back to daw is a solution but a plugin would be more flexible for the time being. Thanks for the wise advice! Getting a piece of hardware can be a huge commitment and I'm grateful for your videos and comment which is helping me out a lot! :)

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

@@ClarityJustin happy to help mate! It’s a big deal getting that first piece of hardware, a bit of learning but totally worth it!

@justsomedude5727 10 ай бұрын

I'm trying to figure out how to mix recordman overheads, so i'd assume go with the natural method when you dont have close mics on everything?

@spinlightstudios 10 ай бұрын

Definitely keep it more natural if you are getting most of the sound of the kit through the overheads!

@bombsarefalling5518 4 ай бұрын

Gday LEGEND

@spinlightstudios 4 ай бұрын

Back at ya!

@YewrinePish 5 ай бұрын

Shits gonna make my HHX Complexes sound like gold bro

@spinlightstudios 5 ай бұрын

Oooh I love the hhx complexes, I have a 19” crash and want more!

@YewrinePish 5 ай бұрын

@spinlightstudios 19" crash, 15" hats, 21" crash, 22" ride. They're so sick dude, pick up a cymbal pack.

@JohnFraserFindlay 3 ай бұрын

i have an issue in the OH's where its generally sounding good except the mics pick up the odd hihat tick that really jumps out..I think its because of where the drummer hits the hat + it's closed tight..it sounds like a digital click!..i tried getting rid of it with a an EQ band but it ruined the rest of the kit..so Ive gone in manually and gained those hh hits down....any suggestions?

@spinlightstudios 3 ай бұрын

I know what you are talking about, it’s the tip of the stick hitting the cymbals and sounds so annoying. Usual a “Declick” plugin can get rid of them. Izotope Declick or mouth Declick work pretty pretty well sometimes! Just use it on the offending area of audio - not the whole track.

@JohnFraserFindlay 3 ай бұрын

@@spinlightstudios being a drummer I thought you would know! Exactly : it’s that tip hit!! I’ll try your idea thanks a lot!

@ItsOttis 2 ай бұрын

what is that EQ you're using? can't find it in Logic

@spinlightstudios 2 ай бұрын

It’s from plugin alliance - brainworx ssl e channel strip

@akeyzstudio6620 Жыл бұрын

thanks for the video i want to ask how can we get those 80s 90s sweet sound in the box

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Short gated reverb on the snare hehe little bit of chorus on some guitar parts ;)

@edwardkenemorales Жыл бұрын

L2 on the masterbuss 😄

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

@@edwardkenemorales Waves L2? Nooo haha so much squish 😝

@edwardkenemorales Жыл бұрын

@@spinlightstudios But isnt that the sound of the 90s though? hahahaha

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Haha yeah, squash those drum transients!

@joepulvirenti5728 2 ай бұрын

What mics ya using ?

@spinlightstudios 2 ай бұрын

Akg C414 Xls on overheads

@FistOfRuin Ай бұрын

i do the second way

@niteshades_promise 9 ай бұрын

What about B8 pros?😂 All i can afford😞🍻

@spinlightstudios 9 ай бұрын

It’s tough.. I would probably use midi drums over b8 cymbals 😅 but you gotta work with what you have too!

@viol8rmusic Жыл бұрын

I see this working if you have a glorius sounding room that you're trying to capture and if you're recording country and Indie bands. But I advise people recording heavy metal and rock bands, don't try to EQ the drumset as a whole from the overheads. In a dense mix, relly on the close mics from the ground up and steeply filter and EQ the overheads for the cymbals only. And always use a hi-hat mic

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Exactly man! Did you make it to method two? This would be ideal for dense mixes with the high pass filter taking out a lot of the low end. These drums were tracked in a small room but with a decent amount of treatment which makes it easier to clean them up! You can still get great results in home studio set up (like mine), you just need to invest in some treatment for the space you’re tracking in!

@viol8rmusic Жыл бұрын

@@spinlightstudios yes and it's a good video. I just saying it doesn't necessarily apply to people that are recording out of their small amateur Studios and trying to do dense loud Rock

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Thanks @@viol8rmusic I think the approach is there, if you know how to set up overheads properly and have half decent cymbals, there is no reason the second method isn’t a good starting place for dense rock by rolling out the low end and EQ out anything causing clutter :) how you EQ though is definitely a case by case because there is too many factors to say exactly how someone should EQ their overheads. Might have to do something a bit heavier next time! People just keep sending me country songs at the moment 😂

@viol8rmusic Жыл бұрын

@@spinlightstudios you're doing good work friend. I'm enjoying your videos. Keep it up!

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Thanks mate!

@joeljameson4961 Ай бұрын

Never seen anyone boost anywhere near 3k on overheads. Harsh city What mics?

@spinlightstudios Ай бұрын

Depends on the cymbals/drums/room where you boost & cut. AKG c414xls

@xstiffx 9 ай бұрын

1 minute in realize I’m screwed as I just tracked 5 songs with B8s 😢

@spinlightstudios 9 ай бұрын

1 like = 1 prayer 🙏🏻

@DayBeforeTomorrow Жыл бұрын

I really don't see how you can tell people to cut certain frequencies without hearing their tracks first! Not all overheads will require the same particular frequency cut!

@spinlightstudios Жыл бұрын

Hey mate! Exactly, I pinned a comment mentioning this exact thing :) the concepts are more about filtering out low end, or just gently EQing the full kit in your overheads. Never said anywhere in the video this is exactly how you should EQ your overheads.