Recording Drums

[bassdrummer2333]

Ok, so here's my situation, I want to record drums (not professional) just decent for a home project. I can use 2 mics because I have 2 inputs on my interface, I have an MXL mic that functions for drum overheads, I need a bass drum mic, cheap suggestions? And what about placement as far as my drum overhead condenser mic?

[SamEyes]

Frankly, to get a good sound out of a drum kit, you'd have to use at least three mics, which is two overheads and one in the bass drum,

As for bass drum mics, at college I've used an AKG which was pretty good, I can't remember the name of it though, I've got it written down somewhere, I'll get back to you on that,

But yeah, anything decent and you'll need three mics, I've wanted to record drums for a while at home and not been able to because of this, two mics really can't sound that great at all.

[InYourName]

i have 2 ways ive done with only 2 inputs
id suggest an mxl 990 for your second mic to use your other is like a pencil condenser right like long skinny?

#1 place the mxl 990 on anyhting that can prop it up about 2 - 3 inches from the bass drum then with your other mic you already have set that on a boom and put it abouta foot and a half or 2 above your kit in the center so that will pic up the rest of the set (i used this same technique many times and it sounded good)

#2 involes you buying a drum mic kit (150$) and a mixer with 6 - 8 inputs (100$) and having enough boom stands
but with that you can input the sound from the mixers into your interface and set the hole drum kit set up when i did this i used the other input for the kids trigger and another time i used it for the kids bass drum to get some extra sick sounding kick in the mix
(with this way youll have to get the right sounding mix before you record your songs, so what i suggest is demo a riff that uses the full set to its potential then play it back, if it sounds bad play with the knobs some more keep doin that till it sounds right, oh and you could also just use a pa if you have one instead of buying a mixer, that is what we did)

[InYourName]

here you go

these two were done in a huge living room a big open space and a high ceiling to with the first technique back in 2004

http://www.nickwhaleyproductions.com/file_share/newsong.mp3

http://www.nickwhaleyproductions.com/file_share/untitled%20new%20song.mp3


this is a song i did back in 2005 with the first technique and we did this in the garage i wouldnt suggest doing that, you can get better sounds in dif rooms

http://www.nickwhaleyproductions.com/file_share/04%20Chapter%20One,%20Chapter%20Non e.mp3


and heres the only one i can find with the second technique also 2005

http://www.nickwhaleyproductions.com/file_share/melodic%20core%20(no%20bass).mp3


oh by the way these werent done using a interface, it was a br 1180 its like a portable recording station, interfaces sound better than them plus you get to do all the mixing on your computer with a interface this thing i had to do the mxiing on the little knobs

this is what my stuff sounds like now with my interface

http://www.nickwhaleyproductions.com/file_share/I%20Say%20Let's%20Call%20It%20Downt own.mp3

[bassdrummer2333]

The 2 mics for solution 1 are 990 and 991 right?

[InYourName]

The 2 mics for solution 1 are 990 and 991 right?

yeah thats not what i used though in these i used a crappy condenser vocal mic which was similar to the 990 just not as good and then i used a nady that was just like the 991 so it should sound good

and any other help just aim me my sn is Aglovefry

[bassdrummer2333]

Ok i'm gonna give it a shot when I get my drums back home, thanks.

[screamoutmyname]

make sure your snare picks up enough...

the way i always approached drums was making sure that the kick and snare sounds were absolutely perfect and could be heard over the others...

but then again, i was working with 7 mics... 1 bass drum, 1 snare drum, 3 tom mics, 2 overheads.

[bassdrummer2333]

Oh and which MXL do I use for the bass drum, the 990 or 991?

[InYourName]

Oh and which MXL do I use for the bass drum, the 990 or 991?

990 for the kick the 991s were made for high hats and cymbols and what not

[lew_1987]

The positioning does depend on what the drums are like for the song. I have recorded with 2 mics before, but the song only used crash, hi-hat, ride bell, snare and bass, so I didn't have to worry about toms or anything. Obviously, if you're using the toms and a range of cymbals, the placement will be different to if you're just using the hi-hat and snare. The simple answer is just to play around and try different placements.

[SamEyes]

I just feel stereo recording is so much better for drums, and obviously the bass drum is important, so I don't see how a two mic recording can sound at all good.

Two overheads is almost an essential to get the wideness needed to make a kit sound great.

[lew_1987]

It shouldn't matter too much if it's just for a home project. Should sound decent enough.

[SamEyes]

Suppose, but if it's at all possible I would definitely recommend getting at least one more mic, two overheads and a bass drum.

The difference in sound would be more than worth the extra mic.

[lew_1987]

Yeah... if the equipment is available and feasible then yeah, go for it. When I recorded I had to make do with what I had, and it turned out alright.

[patrickhowell]

Suppose, but if it's at all possible I would definitely recommend getting at least one more mic, two overheads and a bass drum.

The difference in sound would be more than worth the extra mic.

The problem is that the interface only has 2 channels. In that case, bass drum and one overhead is really the only decent option...

[SamEyes]

The problem is that the interface only has 2 channels. In that case, bass drum and one overhead is really the only decent option...

Yeah I see the limitation, but I'm just saying it's well worth the investment to get an interface with a couple more inputs,

Or even a mini desk that could be sent to the interface, just so you can get it all in.

I'm not saying two mics won't be okay for a home project, they'll come out as a bare basic drum recording, which if that's what you want will be fine, but for me, if it's going to sound half decent, you'll need to invest a bit into it,

If not, then all's fine of course :-)

[bassdrummer2333]

Hmmm, well I can use a mixer with alot of inputs right? What are some priced ones... and if i'm going to add a third mic should it be a shure sm57 or 58? can someone explain the uses for each?

[OURFALSEJEREMY]

if you have access to any powered mixer buy a 1/4 to rca cable, plug it into the out on the mixer
plug in your mic's i used an 8 channel mixer so i used all 8 inputs and mic'd the whole kit, did an eq on the mixer (pan your toms)

and it will honestly give you a alright drum sound

i used to just run mine into the mic input on my computer and edit it in adobe
it works great

[OURFALSEJEREMY]

by powered mixer i mean like a P.A.