Reduce Hi Hat Bleed - HHHusher

Introducing the HHHusher. A versatile sound enclosure mounted to the hi-hat stand, which minimizes hi-hat bleed. A good mix starts with the quality of the recorded source.

What is Hi Hat Bleed?

As many of you know, Hi Hat bleed is the result of the hi hat's piercing sound spilling into other microphones, mainly the snare drum microphone. This dense metallic wash masks the upper harmonic content of the snare drum and often becomes too predominant during the mixing process as the snare drum is being equalized and compressed.

Hi hat bleed doesn't have an ON/OFF switch. It is always there and varies according to drummer technique and microphone positioning. Hi Hat Bleed has been a problem in the studio for many years and strangely, no company has made its purpose to offer a definitive solution until now…

Why the HHHusher?

Drum companies build drums, Drummers play drums and Recording engineers record drums. Traditionally it has been the recording Engineer’s job to manage the recording process. To prevent hi hat bleed they go to what they know and can control i.e. Microphones (Microphone positioning and microphone isolation).

The HHHusher’s approach to the problem is the other way around: instead of isolating the snare microphone from the hi hats, it isolates the whole hi hats from the snare microphone? This simple idea was at the base of the Patent we received.

Is the HHHusher only useful in the recording studio?

The HHHusher is useful any time you put microphones on a drum. This means Live concerts when there is a P.A. system, and during broadcast events.

Will the HHHusher fit my Drum setup?

The HHHusher fits the common Hi Hat setups which are: Hi hat sizes ranging from​ 14” to 16” and Hi hat stand posts of diameters 0.5” to 1.0” Works with Hi Hats 14”, 15”, 16” Spacers mounted on the clamp enable the HHHusher to adjust to different Hi Hat sizes. By default the HHHusher works for a 14" hi-hat (or less). Add a spacer for a 15" and a second spacer for a 16".

The HHHusher will only work if placed LEFT of the drummer's point of view. A left-handed model will be coming as demand justifies it.

The HHHusher will not hold on tapered posts The HHHusher was designed to hold on a tubular post. Note: If your Hi Hat stand has a tapered post, the HHHusher will not hold well in place..

Will the HHHusher affect the sound quality of the hi-hat through the overhead microphones?

Much care went into preventing any adverse effects to the quality of the sound of the hi hat. The shape of the enclosure and the damping materials were carefully chosen to deliver the most transparent hi hat sound through the overhead microphones. 

Microphone Opening

The HHHusher has a Velcro opening under the hi hat for inserting a microphone.

The HHHusher will only work if placed LEFT of the drummer's point of view. A left-handed model will be coming as demand justifies it.

The HHHusher will not hold on tapered posts The HHHusher was designed to hold on a tubular post. If your Hi Hat stand has a tapered post such as this, the HHHusher will not hold well in place..

HHHusher Height 50 mm (1.97 in) Depth180 mm (7.08 in) Width

107 mm (4.21 in) Weight1 kg (2.2 lbs) MaterialsCarbon fiber, Neoprene, plastic & acoustic felthi-hats diameter 14”, 15”, 16” Weight Thin to extra heavy MaterialBronze, alloy Hi-hats post Diameter 0.5” to 1.0”Type Tubular Other requirements Side of the drummer Left Extension past the hi-hats Minimum of 1.5”