miking drums??

[UltraNEO*]

Anyone know what's the best way of miking up a complete drum set?
Wanna capture that awesome sound for a rock band? I'm limited to four mics, is that enough??

Tips and suggestions anyone?

 

[zimv20]

Wanna capture that awesome sound for a rock band?

that requires a great room, good gear, and a competent engineer. why not hire it out?

 

[Dr Sound]

What 4 mics?

Why are you limited to 4?

Where are you recording?

 

[hakukani]

4 mics---kik, snare, 2 overheads.

Better if you could mic all the pieces of the kit, and maybe snare bottom.

You need a good sounding room, too, as above.

 

[Capt Underpants]

Look up the Glyn Johns microphone technique.

 

[CalumC]

What he said, glyn johns is what you want. Of course you can do a 4 mic version, essentially the same as what hakukani said.

 

[UltraNEO*]

What 4 mics?

have access to a few SM57's, SM58's, AKG C1000 and the classic beta52.

Why are you limited to 4?

It's more of a hardware restriction than a budget.
lol I don't wanna invest!!

Where are you recording?

That is a damn fine question...

To be honest, I'm not sure. I left this to the band.. as it's there demo, their sound and most importantly, I'm doing them a favour for no pay. Though, I did suggest they try and book/hire the theatre (Manchester Academy), or at least a live room at their uni, I'd imagine they'll have little problems - if they record in the day.

And since I'm not an expert in this field, I thought I'd come seek advice from the fine people here.

Look up the Glyn Johns microphone technique.

Thanks, I'll go google.

 

[UltraNEO*]

4 mics---kik, snare, 2 overheads.

Better if you could mic all the pieces of the kit, and maybe snare bottom.

You need a good sounding room, too, as above.

What he said, glyn johns is what you want. Of course you can do a 4 mic version, essentially the same as what hakukani said.

Ah.. thanks for the great info guys.

I did a little reading and discovered some interesting things. However i still have one or two additional questions.

The page I read illustrates where the mics should be in order to obtain the best sound... but which microphone would you place where? How about their directionality and distance? And the overhead's height?

Or shouldn't it matter???
Session of long experiments perhaps?

Pointers would be nice...

 

[Gallick]

have access to a few SM57's, SM58's, AKG C1000 and the classic beta52.

That isn't really much to work with, but if that's all you have, I would use the Beta 52 on the kick and the 57 on the snare; that's a pretty standard setup. As for the overheads, it would be really nice if you had access to another C1000 as they make decent overheads when placed in the X/Y stereo pattern.

That would give you a 'good enough' setup, though beware that the subtleties of microphone placement is an art in and of itself. Unfortunately, without being in your position, hearing the drums you are recording in the space that you're recording in, it's impossible (or rather, irresponsible) for anyone to give you accurate placement recommendations.

The best way to learn is to try, and listen, and don't be afraid to spend an hour getting the perfect sound. Audio engineering isn't a set of rules so much as a delicate balance that changes dramatically based on the situation and the tools at your disposal.

Sorry, that was kind of... preachy.

 

[UltraNEO*]

That isn't really much to work with, but if that's all you have, I would use the Beta 52 on the kick and the 57 on the snare; that's a pretty standard setup. As for the overheads, it would be really nice if you had access to another C1000 as they make decent overheads when placed in the X/Y stereo pattern.

That would give you a 'good enough' setup, though beware that the subtleties of microphone placement is an art in and of itself. Unfortunately, without being in your position, hearing the drums you are recording in the space that you're recording in, it's impossible (or rather, irresponsible) for anyone to give you accurate placement recommendations.

The best way to learn is to try, and listen, and don't be afraid to spend an hour getting the perfect sound. Audio engineering isn't a set of rules so much as a delicate balance that changes dramatically based on the situation and the tools at your disposal.

Sorry, that was kind of... preachy.

Thanks for the advice... Dude.

Having access to a few (usually implies more than one), if it helps
there's 3x SM57, 3x SM58, 2x AKG C1000, 1x beta52 but only 4x Pre-amps... though I could rent.

it's never been something I needed, so I've never tried to recording/sampling drums before this is an challenge in it self... Guess, I'll definitely need to raid the universities studio cupboard for some rental equipment... Hopefully they'll have something useful.. at worst I could raid Trusme's bedroom studio.

 

[pkoch1]

Having access to a few (usually implies more than one)

have access to a few SM57's, SM58's, AKG C1000 and the classic beta52.

To be fair, you did pluralize (or possessive-ize ) the 57 and the 58 but not the C1000.

 

[UltraNEO*]

To be fair, you did pluralize (or possessive-ize ) the 57 and the 58 but not the C1000.

Yeah!! So that in itself would inform people there's more than one? right? well.. that's what I thought.

 

[bartelby]

I've not posted my standard Steve Albini's miking tips link yet...

 

[zimv20]

Yeah!! So that in itself would inform people there's more than one? right? well.. that's what I thought.

why not be nice to someone who's trying to help you?

 

[UltraNEO*]

I've not posted my standard Steve Albini's miking tips link yet...

Thank you bartelby..

Ah yeah!! Sound on Sound is a fantastic magazine.
I could read it all day, everyday.

 

[UltraNEO*]

why not be nice to someone who's trying to help you?

Usually I am a nice person.. and I like too think I am being nice here. If my comment offended anyone, please accept my sincerest apologies.

 

[mikes70mustang]

Id go for the kick, snare and two overheads. But just remember, nomatter how good your mic setup, it will sound like trash if you dont have a good drum cage. Or maybe i should say sound absorption setup. Ive seen that recording in a sonic cage works great

 

[UltraNEO*]

Id go for the kick, snare and two overheads. But just remember, nomatter how good your mic setup, it will sound like trash if you dont have a good drum cage. Or maybe i should say sound absorption setup. Ive seen that recording in a sonic cage works great

Hmm.. that sounds like something I'll have to look into.
Thanks for the tips. It's all valid

 

[macuser154]

I know you asked about miking the drums. But have you considered an electric drum kit and using MIDI for the recording?

 

[UltraNEO*]

I know you asked about miking the drums. But have you considered an electric drum kit and using MIDI for the recording?

Yep! Thought about it, I even have an old Alesis SR 16 here, plus an impressive plug-in for ProTools called Strike (demo) but their rock band, they want to use real instruments.