Submitted by anonymous on Sun, 01/06/2008 - 03:02

Hey, I've just bought my Tascam 2488 MKII and a whole heap of mics.
I'm new to recording and wanted to know if there are any tips (which I'm sure there are) on recording drums.

My kit is;

22" Kick drum, Miced with a AKG
14" Snare drum, Miced with a Shure SM57
10" and 12" Toms, Using one Mic for the both
14" and 16" Toms, Using one Mic for the both
Hi-hat s, Miced
and One AKG for a Room Mic

I've learnt the basics of the Tascam 2488 MKII and how to apply effects to drum tracks. I am generally using a little reverb on the snare and kick.

Soon my band will starting recording so I'm just after some advice to get the best drum sound possible with my equipment. The music I'm playing is generally Thrash metal with other influences.

Thanks for the help :D

Comments

Your mic setpu is more than adequate. However, I'd recommend at least one over head (OH) mic, and 2 would be better. Maybe swap the room mic for OH...

I also suggest recording the drums "dry" and adding the reverb when mixing. Opinions differ on whether to "print" or record with compression. However, I'd say use a clean compression @ 2:1, and listen to your attack and release to find the best setting - you don't want to hear comp at this time. You will most likely compress again later, and thrash metal drums can handle quite a bit of compression as an effect too.

If your band will be recording all at the same time, do you have a drum room to keep the kit separate? If not, how do you intend to limit bleed from guitars/bass from drum mics?

Experimentation is key. You can work much of your sound out by yourself, prior to your actual recording date. Enjoy your journey!! :!: 8)

Thanks for the advice.

At the moment I am recording 'dry' and adding reverb at a later stage. Where abouts would i locate a (OH) mic?

and with my band, we won't be recording at the same time. We will be laying seperate instruments down at different times. The only 'Spill' or 'Bleed' I get is guitar sound coming from my headphones. Because we are recording a guitar track for me to play along with whilst i lay down my drum tracks.