Question about recording!

[tellmycaster]

Does anyone know any good tricks to make drums sound good on recording?
I'm trying to make them sound big and punchy but I am not really getting it. I am
using A digi 002 with protools Le 7.1. I am using condensor Mics (3) and a bass drum mic, I am not sure what kind of mics they are. I am gettin drum mics very soon, I just want to know will they make THAT much difference? Anytips on recording in general would be amazing!! thank you guys

[stendhal]

Depending on the drum mics you get, it should sound better.If that doesn't drastically change the quality,I'd be surprised. For a punchier sound, you may want to experiment with mic placement... or maybe with drum heads (white coated heads may be a better route, even though they're best for live). Record in a dead room and add the reverb with pro tools.

In pro tools, open up the T-racks compressor and move the highs and lows up while leaving the mids level. Also, experiment with other compressors and limiters within the program.

Hope that helps.

[Chigwinkle]

I found the best way to get that sort of sound is to put specific emphasis on the snare and bass, so make sure you mic up the snare really close on top and bottom. Perhaps you could try placing an ambiance condenser mic over the top of the kit to capture that overall richness of the sound/ambiance- if thats the sound youre looking for.
What sort of music are you recording?

[Tristan Needler]

I'd say most of the time people use dynamic mics on drums. Some condensers are likely to break up at such high volumes. Where are you micing? I would imaging that with four mics you might want to try one on the bass, one on the snare, and two overheads for cymbals/toms. Mic placement has a huge effect on your sound. Try lots of different placements and try moving them around (inches count) until you find the best sound. Look for some sites online that talk about mixing drums.

What 'drum mics' are you buying?

[xmicxcorex]

good mics and a drum replacement program called Drumagog.

[Tristan Needler]

good mics and a drum replacement program called Drumagog.
If you use that then you don't necessarily need the best mics though, right? I'm not sure, I've never used it.

[tellmycaster]

Well basically what the deal is
Im recording a pop punk band. (go ahead and call it cliche.. w.e)
I would absolutly be thrilled if I could get my drums to sound something like this band(www.myspace.com/theghostinside)
They are more of a hardcore metal band, but they drums are that record (Fury and the Fallen Ones)
I really have no idea what drum mics, too be honest its not really even my studio, my drummers dad is one of the coolest guys ever and he bought all that recording stuff. He seems to know a little bit more than me, but were both really new at this and neither of us can get the drums to sound decent.

And to your post-stendhal
I am going to have to try that T racks compressor, I didnt notice it last time.

Thanks to everyone who is helping me with this. It's nice to know there are people who wont cut me down for not knowing to much about something.

[brandnew741]

I don't think Pro Tools comes with T-Racks unless you get an additional package of some kind. I have it, but I don't remember where I got it... nontheless, any EQ would work.
Anyways, you can use a sound replacer program like drumagog. That'd probably be the cheapest solution for good sounding drums. I also wouldn't recommend getting specifically drum mics. It all depends on your budget, but I'd say you're a lot better off getting a few 57s and/or 421s and using condensers as overheads. Of course w/ the 002 you have input limitations, so maybe sticking with a 57 on the snare, kick mic (I like a 52 or 602) and two condensers as overheads (if they are the same model of microphone). Sorry this was a bit rambly.

[stendhal]

And to your post-stendhal
I am going to have to try that T racks compressor, I didnt notice it last time.





I know for a fact it comes with the mbox2 factory bundle... but I don't know if it comes with the 002.

Good luck.

[tellmycaster]

The T racks is deffinitly in there, I saw there was a T racks bundle, I just didnt see the compressor. And there are 8 inputs on the digi 02, BUT only 4 of them have pre amps, but he does also have an M audio pre amp, which has 8 inputs which plug-in to the back of the digi 002 and run through an ADAT channel. So we really can record 16 tracks at once, thats no big deal. But I will deffinily try drumagog. I have never heard of it before so I am quite curious. Btw, would I have to use drum triggers to work with that program? And/or will drum triggers help me get a better sound?

[xmicxcorex]

If you use that then you don't necessarily need the best mics though, right? I'm not sure, I've never used it.


To be honest, im not totally sure, the only person ive ever seen use it is a friend of my brothers and he uses top end shure drum mics. I have in on my computer for when my band goes in to record and stuff, but ive only just been playing with features i havent been able to use it just yet. i just know its badass, and a lot of bigger bands that im good friends with use it quite a bit. its basically just for when a kick hit is really weak, you go in and up its balls a bit. as far as i know, im sure there are other uses.

[thegoon3]

first of all.....mic placement
second of all mic the kick on axis and maybe throw a yamaha sub kick or some sort of trigger on
or duplicate the kick track in pro tools and eq one to be punchy and powerful and the other clicky

[patrickhowell]

1) The drums on that band's recording sound like they are just triggered / replaced

2) The biggest thing about recording is getting the drums themselves to sound great, and then setting up the mic placement to recreate those sounds. Also, for the bass drum, I've had the best results by removing the front (resonant) drum head.