Drum Tips From the Pros - Part 2 Derek Roddy

Welcome to part two of Shure’s Drum Tips from the Pros.

For those of you who missed last weeks edition with Simon Phillips, we’re running a weekly drum microphone tip series in support of our Drum Mastery Workshops. This week, we look at microphone technique from Derek Roddy – best known for his work with the follow acts: Aurora Borealis, Council of the Fallen, Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation, Nile, Serpent’s Rise, Today Is the Day, and Traumedy.

Derek Roddy’s Favourite Mic Technique – “Whatever Sounds Best” 

“ My favourite mic technique is… whatever sounds best… given the situation I’m playing in.

I mic different sized drum kits… different ways.

For instance… I wouldn’t mic a 4 piece the same way I would mic my monster 10 piece. Also, depends on the sound I’m going for… Room sound, close sound, isolated sound, etc.

For the 4 piece and playing blues or Jazz type of “sounds”… I would use 4 mics. A pair of KSM 32’s for overheads, a Beta 52 on the kick and a SM57 on the snare. More roomy type of sound.

For the big kit… and playing Rock, Metal, etc… I normally use 3 SM81’s for overheads (L, centre, R) Beta 52’s for the kicks, SM57 on top and bottom of snare, SM98’s on the Toms. A “closed mic” isolated type of sound.

One trick I always use is… cutting a small piece of cardboard in a 6 inch square, with a hole (just big enough to push a 57 through) in the middle. I use the cardboard as a “buffer” for air pressure coming from the Hi Hat… to prevent that annoying bleed.”

Don’t be Afraid to Experiment with Mic Technique

Derek’s varied and flexible technique when it comes to mic’ing a drum kit demonstrates just how diverse and challenging it can be. As always, there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to microphones, and although it’s important to do your research – it’s even more important to experiment. Have faith in your ears and remember that if it sounds good, it is good.

For more information on getting the most from your drum recordings and performances – visit the Shure Drum Mastery Website.

More tips from the pros coming shortly –  subscribe to the Shure UK blog RSS and be the first to know.