Skip to main content

Hi. I'm looking for a little recording advice.

I'm making a demo-quality recording and I need to record the following drumset:

pearl exports w/aquarian II's:
14" snare
10-12-13-14-16-18 toms
2x 22" bass drums

and I have the following mics to do it with:
2x Audio-Technica AT3031
2x fender P51
2x Audix UEM81
(2X dynamic mics and 4X condenser)

Now, I can scale it down a little bit, but having both bass drums is pretty important.

What do you suggest I do for a set-up?
(I may be able to aquire other mics if needed, but probably not kick drum mics...)

I also want to record guitar, bass guitar, keyboards/piano, and vocals using whatever mic I buy (the bass and guitar I'd be able to go direct into the computer if needed)
So what mic should I buy for all around awesomeness, and what set-up should I go with for the drums?

Thanks very much for any replies.

Topic Tags

Comments

multoc Wed, 05/16/2007 - 18:21

Get yourself a double kick pedal for better bassdrum mic'age (makes overall sound better because then u dont have to worry abuot the two mic's being in overal the same spot, tuning, and other crap, and it gives u an extra input for a tom). That's my advice, im not getting into the rest because you're too vague....do you want to record this all at once? or drums first then each instrument seperatly?

anonymous Wed, 05/16/2007 - 18:41

No, Multoc, you need the second kick so you can plunge more hardware and toms into/atop it.

I'd second the double-kick pedal, for what it's worth. No one mic' is going to give you great results on everything (although a 414 comes close...). Buying a Shure SM57 should be your first objective, and any kind of kick mic' after that will give you use for kicks, bass guitar, and hxrdcxre vocals. I'd recommend an Audix D6 for this.

Davedog Thu, 05/17/2007 - 10:36

Truth be known....recording double kicks is a pain in the ass. No matter how much you try to match them, each drum is going to be a touch different and the tensions are going to be a touch different.....etc etc...even with one of the those fancy tuning tools. Also, you need similar paths for these two mics alone. From the looks of your equipment list, you simply dont have what its gonna take to make a 'close mic'd' recording of this set.

So now were talking 'room micing'.. ....Get a balance from your condensers placed around the kit....listen to the kit being played and select the points where you can physically hear everything the best. Each of these places, put a mic.

Season to taste.

Theres a LOT more value in a personal listening in a room for those sweet spots than is given. Its not so much about the gear as it is about the technique of using the gear at hand.

anonymous Fri, 05/18/2007 - 16:47

Thanks for all the advice...

I should emphasize that I'm not looking to make a high quality recording here, I just want to be able to hear everything decently. I'm probably gonna go with the room mic-ing, given the circumstances....

I rather regret going with two bass drums rather than a double pedal, which would have been cheaper, easier to use and move, and definitely easier to record.

so.... If I'm doing a simple room mic-ing, which of those microphones will (probably) work the best?

Thanks again

tifftunes Sun, 05/27/2007 - 13:42

The quick and dirty way is to have one mic over the drums, and one in front of the bass drum to boost lows. With twin kicks, phasing becomes a problem.

For your situation, I'd recommend a dynamic overhead as a primary mic, and a large diaphram dynamic 3 or 4 feet in front, and MAYBE a PZM 10 feet away. Mix and adjust to taste.

A nice trick would be to put a second dynamic mic right next to the primary overhead, and squash the bejesus out if it, and "hide" it just under the mix for more punch.

You should be able to use the mics you have (not familiar with them personally), and/or buy others. I recommend the EV RE20 (or 27), and the Sennheiser MD421, if you add more mics to your collection. They are outstanding multi-purpose mics that sound great on drums, guitar cabs, bass cabs, and voice. Both are broadcast and big studio stalpes.

BTW, this method is like any other recipe, there are as many variations as there are "recordists!" I prefer the simplest method - just 2 dynamic mics to record a single kick kit. YMMV.