The Impact of Drum Room Acoustics with George Lever
Have you ever wondered how the space you're recording in affects your drum sounds? As music producers and audio engineers, we're always seeking that perfect tone, but how much does the room really contribute? Recently, we embarked on a journey to answer this very question, and the findings might surprise you.
Behind the Experiment
The experiment was led by the renowned music producer George Lever, a close friend of Sonnox. George has an impressive portfolio, having worked with acclaimed artists such as Sleep Token, Loathe, and Monuments. His expertise in crafting signature drum sounds (Sleep Token snare, anyone?) made him the perfect person to delve into the intricacies of drum recording.
Our journey took us to the beautiful Angelic Studios, nestled near Banbury, UK. Founded by the late Toby Smith of Jamiroquai, Angelic Studios has become a haven for top-tier artists, recently hosting the likes of The 1975, Architects, and Harry Styles. The studio's exceptional acoustics provided the ideal environment for our experiment.
Behind the drum kit was the incredibly talented Mike Malyan. Known for his work with Monuments and The Algorithm, Mike has also performed session work for progressive metal giants Periphery and Tesseract. His technical prowess, precision, consistent performances were instrumental in bringing our experiment to life.
Three Rooms, One Kit
We set up the same drum kit in three different environments within Angelic Studios:
- The beautiful large live room without baffles, aiming for maximum ambience and reverberation.
- The same large room but with a horseshoe of baffles plus curtains and a drum canopy added to control reflections.
- A smaller room to see how a more confined space would influence the sound.
By keeping microphone placements, signal chains and performances consistent, we ensured that any changes in sound could be attributed to the room itself.
Surprising Findings: Close Mics vs. Room Acoustics
While we didn't anticipate massive changes—given the high ratio of direct sound to room ambience in close mics—we were still surprised by just how subtle the differences were. The variations were so slight that they became completely negligible within the mix. This highlights that close-mic'd drums can maintain their character regardless of the room, emphasising the importance of mic placement and technique.
The Role of Baffles: Shaping the Room Sound
Introducing baffles, large curtains and a drum canopy in the large room made a noticeable difference. Without baffles, the room was lively, offering a big, reverberant sound that was rich and exciting but lacked definition. Adding baffles tightened the reverb, providing clarity and focus to the drums. The fundamental tones mixbecame more solidified and easier to place instruments in stereo space .
The Small Room Myth Debunked
Many assume that smaller rooms produce inferior drum sounds—more trashy, less usable, boxy and lacking excitement. Our experiment proved otherwise. The drums recorded in the smaller room had a unique energy and attitude. When we combined the close-mic'd tracks from the small room with room samples from the large space, the result was a powerful blend of aggression and depth.
Embracing Samples
Don't shy away from using samples to augment your drum sounds. Whether you're seeking to add length to a snare or depth to a kick, samples can provide the extra dimension your mix needs. Our free drum samples, captured during this experiment at Angelic Studios, offer a variety of tones to enhance your productions.
The Magic of Ambisonic Microphones
One of the standout tools in our experiment was the ambisonic microphone. With its four capsules, it captures a full 360-degree sound field, perfect for creating immersive audio experiences. This mic added a new layer to our recordings, capturing a lifelike representation of the room's character in a way traditional mics couldn't. It's particularly effective when used alongside stereo pairs, adding a real impression of the physical space whilst also filling out the sonic picture.
Takeaways for Your Productions
So, what does this mean for you?
- Room Selection Matters: While close mics capture the direct sound, the room contributes to the overall ambience and feel. Don't assume that bigger is always better, and instead choose your space based on the desired vibe of your track.
- Baffles Are Your Friends: Use baffles to control room reflections and tailor the reverb to suit your mix. They can help you achieve a tighter, more focused sound whilst retaining the depth that larger spaces offer.
- Small Rooms Have Potential: Don't overlook smaller spaces. With the right setup, they can deliver energetic and impactful drum sounds with a unique sonic signature.
- Samples Enhance Reality: Augmenting live recordings with samples isn't cheating; it's a creative choice that can elevate your mix.
- Explore New Technologies: Tools like ambisonic microphones open up new possibilities for capturing and presenting sound.