Drum Room Mics And Low End – The Fine Line Between “Huge” and “Muddy”

Daily Blog - May 6th 2021

If a song is fast, technical and supposed to be tight, the low end in drum room mics often is the enemy. It will muddy up the mix, make the song feel slow and mess with the interaction between bass, kick drum, snare drum and guitar fundamentals.

Drum Room Mics And Low End – The Fine Line Between “Huge” and “Muddy”

If the song and the arrangement allow for it, though, low end in room mics can be absolutely beautiful and the key to making drums sound HUGE!

No matter how fat your kick drum sounds in the close mic, no matter how much low end you boost there, nothing will make it sound as big and full as a properly recorded (pair of) room mic(s) (or a great room mic sample).

So don't listen to general advice telling you to always filter out low end in room mics (or overheads). Do whatever serves the song and whatever makes the low end feel just right.

If there is space for the decay between the hits and space in between the notes/chords of the guitars and bass, let that low-end-bloom unfold and enjoy the massive, uncontrolled mess that captures the energy perfectly. 

As always, it depends. And it's a fine line.

-Benedikt

PS: You'll also find these daily blog posts in my Instagram Stories: @benedikthain

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