Hi everyone
I am going to record a solo-drum session with a young Norwegian jazz-musician. It will be recorded in a room with some good reverb. THe music will probably be more contemporary/classical than jazz, in the tradition of solo-improvisation drummers like Han Bennink. Even though the recording is only for demo-purposes, I would like to make it as good as possible.
Equipment avaliable:
Recorder:
Alesis HD24 or Fostex VF160EX
Preamps:
Focusrite Octopre and PreSonus Digimax
Microphones:
2*AKG c451b, 2*AKGc3000b, 2*Audio-Technica 30/31(small condensers) and 1* Shure PG81
I was wondering if anybody had any experience with this type of recording, how I should use my avaliable mics and/or I should loan some other mics, that could be possible. Actually this will be the first time that I mike a drumset, so I will try to go for a simple approach..
Thanks,
Morten Brekke
Comments
Well, here's what I would do ... BTW, you seem to have a surplus
Well, here's what I would do ... BTW, you seem to have a surplus of small condensers. Maybe invest in a couple nice dynamic mics (57's, 421, re20). For jazz, you may prefer the room micing technique, but someday you'll want to do some close micing and you'll need to get on those toms, snare and kick with a dynamic. Not to mention guitar cabs, etc.
Try the 451's as overheads, a foot or two above the cymbals, nicely spaced. Use your c3000's as left and right room mics. Find two spots in the room to catch a nice drum sound ... use your ears. This may be all you need. Alternatively, try putting one of the c3000's a foot or so away from the kick, if you need more bottom end. Add your pg81 above the hat and snare if you need more of that.
That should give you some options and different sounds. Pick the best combo. Have fun!