Suggestions for micing a bad drum kit.

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:06 am

Hello i have a student coming into my studio to do some recording. unfortunately the drum kit is rather er cheap sounding.
I have four to six tracks i can devote to the percussion. Has anyone some ideas on placement and ways to improve the tonal characteristics?

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:21 am

I have him by new heads and learn how to tune his drums. Personally, if they're not willing to take that step then they are not serious about recording, IMO.

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:33 am

Agreed. Most of the "tricks" I know for getting good drum sounds (my current fave is the recorderman technique, and other variations on the Glyn Johns technique) depend on a good-sounding kit in a good-sounding room.

But yes, new, properly-tuned heads will make a big difference.

I generally use 6 mics when recording drums: Kik, Snare, "crotch mic", 2 overheads, and a front room mic. This works well in my room and gives me a wide variety of drum tones to choose from when mixing. But yes, without a good sounding kit it's kinda moot.

Garbage in, Garbage out. No matter how hot Shirley Manson is. Wink

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 1:08 pm

Clive Banks

Quote:

I have four to six tracks i can devote to the percussion. Has anyone some ideas on placement and ways to improve the tonal characteristics?

Stereo from a spaced coincedental pair over shoulders, kick mic inside bass drum aimed at the beater (6"). If snare is dead and bloated put some regular letter size paper on top , stack as many as you need and make sure the drummer hits it a little harder than normal,( 2-6 sheets).

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 4:12 pm

Rent a good kit from a music store, I ussually can get one for a weekend for about $40 , ussually DWs , makes life a lot easier, then tune , and mic em, and its all good. You won't have to work as hard IMHO

Cheers
-gil

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:49 pm

I have a 'special' errr...mic I use on crappy drum kits...Its made by Stihl.

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 12:26 pm

Thank You . There are some good ideas there .

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