In this free extract from Start to Finish: Jacquire King - Episode 5 - Tweaking The Drums And Bass, Jacquire is adjusting the aim of a Shure SM57 that he’s using as the sole close mic on the snare drum for the tracking session with the band Oak and Ash.

Initially, in Episode 1, when he first mic’ed up the kit, Jacquire had aimed the 57 across the snare, angled at about 45 degrees. He revists this, making a small adjustment to the angle and position of the mic to get the brightness he felt was missing. We all know the mantra “get the sound right at source” but how often do we reach for the EQ rather than walk out into the live room and move the mic? Every time? Really?..

The Difference Between 2 Types Of Engineers

This is a short extract but what it shows is, in our experience, the biggest difference between a successful mix and a mix on which you’re going to struggle - taking the time and care to make sure things are as good as they can be before you hit record. Good recording equals easy mix.

That’s easy to say and there aren’t a lot of people who wilfully neglect fixing things which aren’t right. One of the biggest differences between an experienced engineer and someone who is less experienced is that they can tell the difference between things which matter and the thousands of things you could change but changing them would just make it different, not better - that’s the real trick and unfortunately the only way to learn that is to practice and to listen.

Playing When The Engineer’s Head Is Near The Kit?

Something the YouTube audience were quick to point out were that the drummer continues to play when Jacquire head is near the kit. While the playing isn’t super-loud it raises an interesting point about how working engineers protect themselves from that absent-minded rimshot. What do you do to protect yourself?

The sounds are dialed in, and the band is ready to get some takes recorded live off of the floor. Watch as Rich, Bryan, Paul, and Chris head into the Dangerous Room at Flux Studios to cut the live tracks for "Keep The Light On."

See how Jacquire King:

• Produces the tracks live off of the floor

• Addresses his first reactions to the band playing together

• Works out arrangement options for stops and fills to transition between sections

• Has his assistant, Danny Pellegrini, help tune the snare drum to the key of the song using his perfect pitch skills

• Adjusts the microphone position on the snare drum to get a brighter attack, as well as an adjustment for more body

• Revisits the kick drum EQ choices and explains the effect of pushing more into the Neve module

• Uses a Radial SGI to decrease noise on the bass amp

• Adjusts the bass amplifier settings to compliment the kick drum

How Do I Watch Jacquire King Tweaking The Drums And Bass

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