Kick drum mic signal clipping !

[Doley50]

For some reason my kick drum mic ( Digital Reference DRK 100) is clipping on my mixers channel ( Mackie Pro fx16.)
So this is the problem, I first put the mic inside the kick, turned the gain on the channel and then bring the fader up. The signal coming out of our PA was very low. I turned the gain and fader up until I got a decent signal and then the channel strayed to clip!
This was done during a test run set up of our bands PA , So we had time to troubleshoot. I have tried placing the mic differently and none the of the EQ is boasted, still same results. I know the mic is a cheep mic but it is brand new and should give better results then this. Any thoughts ?

Thanks
John

 

[monti2889]

phantom power???....feed back from adjacent channels???
and what exactly do you mean by clipping?
Do you mean your signal is peaking the channel? Or is the sound the mic is picking up...overdriving the diaphram? (this can usually be fixed by putting some sort of "pop blocker" over the mic, they make some out of foam, but I've even seen people use tube socks).
Also, new doesn't always mean non defective.

These are just a few thoughts to help you troubleshoot.

 

[pflash4001]

First off, make sure your gain is set properly. Bring the fader down completely. Set the channel to solo or PFL. Get your signal going (get the drummer to start on the bass drum AT STAGE LEVEL!) it does no good to set the level when he's holding back, only to have him kick that drum like an animal during the set. Once you're getting a consistent signal from the drummer, slowly bring the gain up until you're reading about 0 db on the meter. Bring up the fader. Listen to the sound...if you need to eq, do it now and a little at a time...rechecking the PFL levels as you adjust. If it clips, back off on the eq or on the gain a bit to get it under control. Keep doing this until you get the tone you want and the channel isn't clipping. You may have to use the channel pad switch or move the mic around a bit...if you have the mic inside the drum, it may be too close to the front head. You may also want to use a comp/limiter on the insert. Hope this helps!

 

[Zooberwerx]

^^^

Can't really improve upon this approach...and should be implemented for each mic channel. Once you've set your trim pot (initial) gain, the rest is gravy. When really wailing, the green LED's should all light along with a couple of the yellow LED's. Well, that's the orientation on my board.

Riis

 

[uhdinator]

When close mic'ing drums it usually requires using the channel pads to reduce the signal. If no pad buttons on your mixer channels, you may need to use an inline pad. Pulling the mic back so its not as close to the beater head is the only other option.

 

[tbirdsp]

I have the same mixer and have no problems mic'ing kick drum - I use a Sennheiser e902 though.

No pad on the channels, but the gain control goes from -20db to +30db. 4 of the channels have a simple single-knob compressor.

Are you setting the gain with the PFL and the meter like pflash4001 and Zooberwerx said?

 

[DavC]

maybe just outside the bass drum ... by the hole in the drum head ... don't aim the mic right at where the kick drum hits ..

a cheap comp/lim would realy help .. that way you can usually get the Tone you want without the Clipping ...

lots of air pressure and sound waves in the bass drum .. maybe a couple small pillows to absorb some sound .. ?

then be carefull when you ad the bass guitar with the bass drum ... hopefully they're EQ'd to each have their own space!

keep experimenting ... just be cautious not to blow any speakers while trying things .. ! it is easy to do .. !!

 

[Doley50]

Thanks for all your help, I had a show last night and had a little time to mess around with the kick. You know the expression " To many cooks spoil the soup." The problem is everyone wants to learn how to use the board, but instead of learning about it they just turn knobs and push buttons.
I started from scratch, I turned the gain and the EQ down, I also took the LF pad off. and low and behold no problems.
I am not an expert when it comes to sound, but I tell them don't just start turning knobs and pushing buttons. Were all learning step by step.
We had a great show, and got payed, all the rest is just nit picking! LOL!

 

[Floyd Eye]

Thanks for all your help, I had a show last night and had a little time to mess around with the kick. You know the expression " To many cooks spoil the soup." The problem is everyone wants to learn how to use the board, but instead of learning about it they just turn knobs and push buttons.
I started from scratch, I turned the gain and the EQ down, I also took the LF pad off. and low and behold no problems.
I am not an expert when it comes to sound, but I tell them don't just start turning knobs and pushing buttons. Were all learning step by step.
We had a great show, and got payed, all the rest is just nit picking! LOL!

I can tell you from experience that you only want one guy messing with the board. Period.

 

[pflash4001]

I can tell you from experience that you only want one guy messing with the board. Period.

+100 on this. I REALLY, REALLY recommend that if anyone in the band wants to learn how to do this they need to read the manual for that console. Mackie does a fantastic job of writing their manuals in a way that is not boring, funny, and entertaining, while still being incredibly informative. It is not brain numbingly boring. The principles laid out in those manuals apply to gear built by any manufacturer. They also include sample setups and good glossaries. Do yourselves a favor. READ THE MANUAL!!!