An experiment: 4 Drumset recorded

wloeb · #1 07-14-2008, 03:17 AM

I decided to do an experiment and record every drumset in my house under identical conditions to hear the differences in the sound. The lineup is:

1. Yamaha Maple Custom
2. Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute Nouveau
3. Remo Legaro and Pearl piccolo
4. Yamaha Stage Custom
5. Placeholder - (Destroyed in shipping)

Each drumset was recorded using 1 pair of Russian Octava Mk-012 condenser mics and an Audix D6 using a Presonus Firebox and a Tubepre for the kick mic into Garageband. No effects, EQ, Compression, or processing of any kind was applied.

Please have a listen and let me know your comments on the sound. I was thinking more about the sound rather than the performance so please take that into account when you listen.

The details

1. Yamaha Maple Custom-
20x16 Aquarian Superkick II and stock reso
10x8 Coated Ambassador over clear Evans G1
12x8 Coated Ambassador over clear Evans G1
14x14 Coated Ambassador over clear Evans G1
16x14 Coated Ambassador over clear Evans G1
14x5 Gretsch USA Maple Snare Coated Ambassador over stock

2. Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute Nouveau
20x16 Evans EMAD 1 and Aquarian regulator
10x8 Evans Clear G2 over clear ambassador
12x9 Evans Clear G2 over clear ambassador
14x14 Evans Clear G2 over clear ambassador
14x5 Snare Remo coated ambassador over stock

3. Remo Legaro and Pearl piccolo
22x6 Remo Legaro Bass Drum with clear pinstripe
13x3 Pearl brass piccolo Coated Ambassador over stock

4. Yamaha Stage Custom
22x16 Remo Powerstroke 3 clear and stock reso
12x10 Clear Emperor over clear Ambassador
13x11 Clear Emperor over clear Ambassador
16x16 Clear Emperor over clear Ambassador
14x6.5 Steel Snare coated Ambassador over stock

Bob Smith · #2 07-14-2008, 03:21 AM

Yeah looks like a cool experiment.
IF only we could hear the results.

stasz · #3 07-14-2008, 03:25 AM

Ah, the ever-lasting "is there a difference" debate. I'd love to hear the recordings... can we get a link?

wloeb · #4 07-14-2008, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

Yeah looks like a cool experiment.
IF only we could hear the results.

Of coarse you can. I was still posting the sound files and the photos when you replied. Please take a look at the bottom of my original post. The sound files are there.

Regards
Wayne

Cypriss · #5 07-14-2008, 04:24 AM

Definitley liked the birch the best.Wy did you turn the snare off while recording the maple custom though,would have liked to hear it on.think i might point people to this thread when the ask about the difference between woods.Just curiously which one do you like best? as a kit? and as a recording?

Gyrefalcon · #6 07-14-2008, 04:52 AM

That Remo kick doesn't sound half bad, I don't think I have heard one before.

wloeb · #7 07-14-2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypriss

Definitley liked the birch the best.Wy did you turn the snare off while recording the maple custom though,would have liked to hear it on.think i might point people to this thread when the ask about the difference between woods.Just curiously which one do you like best? as a kit? and as a recording?

My favorite it the Maple custom. I found that the drums sounded more different live in the room than they do on the recording. Also, even thought I used the same recording equiptment and mic placement, there are still a few variables, most notably the heads. The shell thickness also makes a difference, so it's not just the wood type.

The Birch Custom and the Stage Custom do have very similar heads but the sizes are very different. It's very obvious that the BCAN has much more sustain and purity of tone.

The Maple custom and the Birch custom have exactly the same sizes except for the 12" tom which has an inch difference. However the heads that I have on them are very different. It would be interesting to use exactly the same heads on these two and set them up in exactly the same location. (The other three were in the same location) Why doesn't Yamaha do this?

I will try to make another recording of the maple set featuring the snare. I was planning to record one more set but it was destroyed in shipping.
regards
Wayne

SergeKIEFFER · #8 07-14-2008, 01:38 PM

Hi there

Got a matched OKTAVA MK012 mic set lately as well
What a great OH mic. I used to have 2 of the AKG C1000s (1st edition) but I have to say the Sound of the Oktava's is phantasic.

Serge

drumofo · #9 07-15-2008, 12:16 PM

wow, all the drum sounds awesome. What your ur mic placement on the condenser mics?

Mastershake16 · #10 07-15-2008, 04:13 PM

Nice i Like the drums quite alot on the first recording ( but why did u have the snare off) also I would like to know the mic placement u used?

eddiehimself · #11 07-15-2008, 05:06 PM

not a bad setup you have there. Oktavas are supposed to be pretty good mics. You can definetly hear the difference in attack between the maple and birch drums. The Remo kick sounds a bit like a kick of some kind of drum 'n' bass song. Not too much of a fan of the note it seems to be producing. The snare sounds nice on it though. My favourite sounding kit of them must be the stage custom though. That's because i'm more of a rock player and they sound like more powerful drums.

wloeb · #12 07-15-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastershake16

Nice i Like the drums quite alot on the first recording ( but why did u have the snare off) also I would like to know the mic placement u used?

I used the Recorderman mic placement for the overheads and the bass drum mic was just inside the port or in the case of the Remo drum as shown in the pics.
(not my video but a good example)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFOD1EeKhQ

No reason for not having the snare on. I found a clip where I did have the snare on.
It's attached here. (sorry wrong mics so I removed it)

wloeb · #13 08-07-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wloeb

I used the Recorderman mic placement for the overheads and the bass drum mic was just inside the port or in the case of the Remo drum as shown in the pics.
(not my video but a good example)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFOD1EeKhQ

No reason for not having the snare on. I found a clip where I did have the snare on.
It's attached here.

Updated the audio files

Wayne

Deathmetalconga · #14 08-07-2008, 05:28 AM

Very nice recordings and skilled playing. The Yamaha kits are gorgeous but fairly unremarkable, I have to say. The Remo set fascinates me - what is that bass drum from?

Also, how did you post your sound files? I am having trouble getting mine up on my kit's thread.

silverwraith720 · #15 08-13-2008, 02:38 AM

i don't want to be "that guy" but these aren't the same conditions, technically they would all have to be the same size toms with the same heads and tuned the same way, but there is a definite difference between them, i like 1 and 4 the best

wloeb · #16 08-18-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverwraith720

i don't want to be "that guy" but these aren't the same conditions, technically they would all have to be the same size toms with the same heads and tuned the same way, but there is a definite difference between them, i like 1 and 4 the best

Thanks for the reply. If you read my original post and some of my replies, you'll see that I have made it very clear that there are differences in heads, tuning ect. In fact I listed every head. What is the same is the recording setup, recording gear, room (for 1, 2, and 3) and mic positions relative the the drums and the room. I know it's not a perfect comparison but I found the results interesting and thought that others might as well.

regards,
Wayne

Class A Drummer · #17 08-18-2008, 08:41 AM

Very Interesting and cool. Those drums look so great .

#18 08-18-2008, 12:25 PM

Nice experiment. You're obviously a yamaha fan. I think that, out of these four, the BACN is my favourite, I'm not too fond of the harsh sound of the stage custom. The Remo bass drum sounded really good btw, I like the boom it had. Also a nice combination with that piccolo.

wloeb · #19 08-31-2008, 03:55 AM

Hello,

I made a new recording of the Maple Customs with the snares on and the correct mics. I also replaced the resonant heads with Evans G1 clears. Please have a listen.

Wayne

wloeb · #20 10-10-2008, 11:28 PM

I've upgraded my audio interface to a firepod so I now have 8 inputs. I can repeat the experiment with close-micing if there is any interest.

Wayne

eddiehimself · #21 10-11-2008, 10:50 AM

i might be intrested. But can you be bothered to re-record everything is the question? Sounds really good by the way.

Pedro · #22 10-12-2008, 07:03 PM

Very interesting post.

I wish you would have the same heads on the Maple and Birch kit. That would make the comparision more real.

bakerboy · #23 10-17-2008, 03:06 PM

Nice recordings!

Question - Where did you buy the MK-012 overheads and how much were they? Do you know of a comparable pair of overheads that might be a bit cheaper (just based on the ebay prices I'm seeing)

wloeb · #24 10-17-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakerboy

Nice recordings!

Question - Where did you buy the MK-012 overheads and how much were they? Do you know of a comparable pair of overheads that might be a bit cheaper (just based on the ebay prices I'm seeing)

I purchased the Oktava's used on ebay for $300. I recently have been experimenting with adding a close mic for the snare:
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=43056

Tom micing will follow after I make some more recordings.

For less money, you could try Naiant mics. I posted some recordings with those mics:
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=38647

Wayne