Rode NT1A on drums?

by **pocketdrummer** on Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:21 am

At the moment, I am short of overheads for recording drums. I have a Rode NT1A, but I really don't want to damage my mic. How close can I get the condenser to the drums safely?

by **Rick Levine** on Sat Nov 24, 2007 10:48 am

High SPLs won't damage the mic, they will just cause clipping. The drummer hitting the mic will though, so keep it away from the ape :wink:

by **Tweak** on Sat Nov 24, 2007 10:53 am

I can tell you my Rode clips badly close miking drums. As an overhead, it would be better, though i would think it would pick up too much bass off the cymbals (there is no rolloff on the mic).

by **Rick Levine** on Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:16 am

I send my overheads through a sub stereo bus with a parametric EQ on it anyway, so I don't bother to engage the HP filter. The problem with using just one overhead is that you lose the stereo image of the kit.

by **pocketdrummer** on Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:42 pm

Tweak wrote:I can tell you my Rode clips badly close miking drums. As an overhead, it would be better, though i would think it would pick up too much bass off the cymbals (there is no rolloff on the mic).

Could you roll it off in software or would that not be ideal?

by **Rick Levine** on Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:19 pm

pocketdrummer wrote:
Tweak wrote:I can tell you my Rode clips badly close miking drums. As an overhead, it would be better, though i would think it would pick up too much bass off the cymbals (there is no rolloff on the mic).

Could you roll it off in software or would that not be ideal?

That's what I do (roll it off in software), and my overheads have a rolloff switch. I just don't engage it. I like the frequency control software provides.

by **Rimskidog** on Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:16 pm

It's a cardoid pattern so if you only have one (and a decent sounding room) put it out in front of the kit. I've used it as a room mic to pretty reasonable effect (with the life squashed out of it mind you).

by **The Miles Park** on Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:28 pm

It can work as an overhead, but I agree with Rimskidog it sounds much better as a room microphone. As an overhead it has somewhat of a harsh sound with cymbals from my experience.

by **Steven mc.** on Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:58 pm

two Nt1a are great for overheads. You shouldn't have a problem.

by **craig9045** on Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:48 pm

I have played around with my NT1A and in my opinion works best as a room mic, the overhead sound from them seem a little harsh, though with the right equipment i can definatley see the possibility of somone acheiving a great drum sound using it.

I havn't had the chance to use two NT1A's as overheads so perhaps this could make the difference.

Craig

Rode NT1A on drums?

Rode NT1A on drums?

Re: Rode NT1A on drums?

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