Recording drums on saturday need some help

punkrocker · 30th April 2009

Hey all so I need your help on something. I have the option of A: using some kind of overhead technique and a mic on the ride and hh or B: Close micing all cymbals/ride/hh. The style of music is modern punk/emo stuff. The room is not treated but I do have some rockwool wrapped in fabric propped up around the set. I need a wide stereo spread. If B and not A which micing technique do you suggest? My main concern is if I close mic all cymbals it might sound unnatural with no overheads behind them. Thanks for the help.

chrisso · 30th April 2009

Don't close mic the cymbals. I wouldn't even close mic the ride.
How are you micing the rest of the kit?

silence2-38554 · 1st May 2009

How many mics / channels do you have? You can get a listenable drum recording with 4 mics. 2 overheads, snare top and kick. I would set up the overheads in an XY pattern just above the drummer's head, looking at the cymbals. Snare top mic facing more across the head than straight down into it and for the kick, cut a hole in the front head (if there isn't already one there), stuff a bunch of soft stuff in there (blanket or pillows), then put the kick mic about 4-6 inches in the hole, looking straight at the beater. Good luck!

punkrocker · 1st May 2009

Alright Thanks guys I wont close mic the cymbals then.

30th April 2009	#1
punkrocker Gear Head Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 60 Thread Starter	Recording drums on saturday need some help Hey all so I need your help on something. I have the option of A: using some kind of overhead technique and a mic on the ride and hh or B: Close micing all cymbals/ride/hh. The style of music is modern punk/emo stuff. The room is not treated but I do have some rockwool wrapped in fabric propped up around the set. I need a wide stereo spread. If B and not A which micing technique do you suggest? My main concern is if I close mic all cymbals it might sound unnatural with no overheads behind them. Thanks for the help.

30th April 2009	#2
chrisso Gear Guru Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Oz Posts: 16,836	Don't close mic the cymbals. I wouldn't even close mic the ride. How are you micing the rest of the kit? __________________ Chris Whitten

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1st May 2009	#3
silence2-38554 Gear nut Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 138	How many mics / channels do you have? You can get a listenable drum recording with 4 mics. 2 overheads, snare top and kick. I would set up the overheads in an XY pattern just above the drummer's head, looking at the cymbals. Snare top mic facing more across the head than straight down into it and for the kick, cut a hole in the front head (if there isn't already one there), stuff a bunch of soft stuff in there (blanket or pillows), then put the kick mic about 4-6 inches in the hole, looking straight at the beater. Good luck!