How can I reduce my stage mic picking up drums?

[Spirit of Ox]

In before someone says fire the drummer!

 

[Lowfader]

Just checked out the Optogates. Pretty neat. The Grateful Dead used to use carpets with switches in them that would open the mic when they stepped on the carpet. They got the idea from the carpets that opened the doors when you stepped on them in the grocery stores. The schematics are online.

 

[soundsupport1]

I would recommend a different mic. My suggestion is the very affordable AKG Perception P5s: it sounds quite nice, and has terrible sensitivity. You have to pretty much bury your face in it for it to pick up any sound at all.

I love mine!

Peace,
SoundSupport

 

[fishdude101101]

Yes, as you say that is the main issue but the band isn’t particularly loud (except for the drummer at times), we have backline amps which are set fairly low and are there for “feel” more than anything as we all use IEM’s, but it is a loud drum kit and on small stages we are quite close to the drums. On bigger stages we are obviously spread out more and there’s less drums being picked up by the vocal mics.

If there were no amps on stage would the drummer be able to play more quietly?

 

[GreyBeard]

I’ve seen good reviews on the Sennheiser E945, worth considering and it’s also a super-cardioid mic.

The on-off microphone foot switches seem a bit expensive, must be fairly easy to make one. The one’s I’ve seen all seem to be phantom powered.

Our next gig is 4 weeks away due to holidays, if I haven’t bought a new mic by then I will try switching the mic off when it’s not required and I’ll also try and angle my mic away from the drums. I’m sure the noise gate option will only take our sound guy a few minutes to sort out?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/se...0AQCyijBoCzZAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&s=mic+mute

I have no experience with any of these foot switches but, you probably get what you pay for.

 

[Biggbass]

Reading more recent posts reminds me of a time when I worked with a blues band...for about three weeks. The drums were so loud it was painful. That was when I learned that there are guys who are drummers and there are guys who own a set of drums. The guy in that band had zero sense of dynamics...he was the latter.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

In before someone says fire the drummer!

That was my first thought, but you beat me to it.

 

[GregT]

If you have Phantom Power, a Beta 87A can be a good choice. It also sounds better than my Beta 58 by a long way. I only use my Beta 58 when I don't have phantom power available.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Depending on the venue and stage setup, having a few different mics is a good idea.

Beta 58s and Beta 57s are good options. When using a Beta 57 on a floor tom for recording, you would barely notice there was anything else going on with a soloed track or channel.

The Beta 87 is very good too.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Sorry if this has been covered before. But if you’re micing the drummer reduce his Mics down to three. Bass (kick) Mic, snare high hat Mic, and one overhead. Also a shield if he’s loud. There is an inexpensive GLS Mic modeled after the Shure 57 https://www.amazon.com/GLS-Audio-Instrument-Microphone-ES-57/dp/B001W99HE8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36NMF70IA2AEM&keywords=GLS+57&qid=1661789488&sprefix=gls+57,aps,183&sr=8-1
I believe it sounds better! I owned three of them it will absolutely reject any side noises coming into your mic. Don’t let the low price fool you. Great Mic as is it’s cousin the GLS 58.

 

[Pilgrim]

Shields will help much more.

No argument; in a small space both may be helpful.

 

[andruca]

Optogate anyone? It basically senses when you're in front of the mic and mutes when your not. Price is steep, I know, but I've used them a couple times (part of festivals' stage setups) and works wonderfully with IEM.

Home - Optogate Online

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Optogate anyone? It basically senses when you're in front of the mic and mutes when your not. Price is steep, I know, but I've used them a couple times (part of festivals' stage setups) and works wonderfully with IEM.

Home - Optogate Online

That would be cool!

 

[andruca]

That would be cool!

It doesn't solve the whole problem, as in the drums will still bleed thru' when you're singing, but at least a loud drummer won't open the gate when you're not singing (as might eventually open a traditional audio gate).

 

[Toddbass65]

These work great to reduce cymbals ALOT and quite a bit of other drum noise.
Very easy to attach and not very big or heavy. I have medium size and works for most any kit.
Much easier than a full plexiglass shield, which many drummers hate because they are “in a cage”.
But I agree, drummers need to have some dynamics for the situation just like anyone else.
We can’t walk in with an 810 and a 2000 Watt power amp to play a corner bar and not get dirty looks. Just gotta be smart….will help get more gigs….does with us. Pay for themselves very quickly.

CYMBAL SHIELDS

 

[GreyBeard]

Optogate anyone? It basically senses when you're in front of the mic and mutes when your not. Price is steep, I know, but I've used them a couple times (part of festivals' stage setups) and works wonderfully with IEM.

Home - Optogate Online

I've been thinking about this type of switch for a long time. Now it is time for Behringer to make make one for $39.

 

[Baker69]

I don’t do a great deal of singing so perhaps the Optogate maybe the best solution?

 

[Marko 1]

 

[two fingers]

I don’t do a great deal of singing so perhaps the Optogate maybe the best solution?

Sooooooooo we're not gonna talk to the drummer? OK din.

 

[GreyBeard]

I don’t do a great deal of singing so perhaps the Optogate maybe the best solution?

It's this or the foot switch rout. The foot switch would be a lot less expensive and probably work as well.