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are a standard set of drum mics condensor mics that need phantom power or would u be able to connect them to a standard jack socket on a mixer?

i have a Behringer mixer with 2 phantom powered XLR sockets and 4 channels that are split into mono left and right with quarter-inch jack inputs.. i was wondering what mics and setup u anyone could suggest for recording a drum kit.

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jonnyc Thu, 06/30/2005 - 14:04

I think you need to study a little more. There isn't a standard set of drum mics out there, there are however many different sets of mics either available in packages or seperately. Almost every mic you use on the kit will be dynamic, except the two overheads which are usualy condensor mics that would require phantom power. Some people throw 8-12 mics on a drumkit some guys use 3 mics, so there really isn't a standard set up. Mine goes two shure ksm109's for the overheads, audix mics on the toms, sm57 on the snare and an audix d6 on the kick, all total i use 8 mics. only two of which need phantom power. Some other good drum mics to look at are.

Sennheiser md421
Audix D series mics
Senheiser e604's
AKG d112
Shure Beta 52
Shure sm81's.

jonnyc Sat, 07/02/2005 - 19:30

Yeah I wouldn't really mess with that, if you must go with a behringer mixer you're going to want one with 8 xlr inputs. You'll still only be able to record to a stereo track meaning 8 drum mics into two signals. Another cheaper alternative to what you want to do would be to have two overhead mic, a kick mic and a snare mic, get a 4 xlr mixer and just use that. Some incredible drum tracks have been recorded with fewer mics, although most had spectacular rooms to record in.

anonymous Sun, 07/03/2005 - 07:51

lol i actually have this mixer. i bought it as it was nice and cheap and then i jst needed the phantom power to power my superlux condensor mic. Microphones work in the mono channels... i was wondering if (although not recommended) it wld be possible to have dynamic drum mics connected in there plus 2 overhead condensors???. it wouldnt sound too bad for the tom toms - i cld mic them left or right with mono.. but im apprehensive about the kick and snare being 'monoed' .. wat u guys think?

Randyman... Sun, 07/03/2005 - 15:47

If you can get enough gain out of the "-10 Line Level Inputs" with a mic, then it will work in a pinch. Just note that these other inputs are NOT dedicated mic inputs, and you may very well have impedance mismatch issues along with limited gain and noise issues (not enough volume, and lots of hiss). Mic inputs (like your channel 1 and 2) have different input sensitivities (designed for MICS, not Line level signals) and usually have lower impedance than a Line Level input.

You will probably get a *little* bit better results going from the Dynamic Mics into a Low-Z to High-Z transformer, and then into the Line Inputs on the mixer- but this is still technically a "no-no" (and 6 of those transformers would cost MORE than the mixer did :eek: !!!).

I'd seriously consider a different mixer or soundcard/micpre if you want to have anything resembling a drumset. Look into something that will allow you to send more than just 2 channels to your PC. You essentially want to have each mic sent seperately to your PC so each mic can be EQ'ed and tweaked out/mixed individually. In your case, you will be forced to record all 8 mics combined into 2 channels. You will have very little control once you record the tracks. It will be important to make the "mix" sound as good as possible at the Behringer before you ever start recording.

Good luck :cool: